Perhaps this isn't the right place to post this, but I didn't want to start a new thread for CANADIAN people being fingerprinted going to America...

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I am a Canadian citizen, born & bred. I was flying to LAX on Friday June 4th. I fly to LAX every other weekend. I never stay more than 4 days at a time. I never bring back any more than the maximum amount allowed on my declaration form. I never travel with anyone else. I always have all of my documents in order. The officer who interviewed me on Friday did not believe a word I said. He asked "when was the last time you went to California". I said "two weeks ago". He said "when did you come back". I said "Victoria Day, May 24". He made it clear that HE thought I was going to America too often. He asked to see all of my travel information so I handed over paper copies of my itinerary; hotel reservation and rental car information, even though I have no idea whether or not I am under any obligation to fork it all over. He pulled out a yellow plastic folder and I knew I would be going to visit the special room for extra interrogation. At that point I simply asked "did I say something wrong" and he basically said I travel too much and they would be questioning me further. He then asked what all was in my suitcase. He started typing furiously on his keyboard and then sent me to another room. I was photographed and fingerprinted. I was NOT comfortable with that. I have managed to go all thirty-five years of my life without being fingerprinted by anyone for anything (being NOT a criminal and all....) and I did not know if it was within my rights to deny my fingerprints to them. While I've read all the posted signs about how people can refuse to be searched as long as they agree to forfeit their right to travel, it's not the same. Search my bags and my person all you want - just don't take my fingerprints. I should have asked but I thought that might prevent me from getting on the plane. They then made me wait. They then made me open every bag and questioned me about everything it. Why do I have a US cell phone? (It's 10 cents a minute for calls on it vs. the $1.50/minute for any calls I make on my Canadian phone while 3,000 miles from home). Why do I have a US post office box? (I had a letter to mail and made the mistake of having it return-addressed stamped in advance). I told them the truth -- I order tons of stuff off e-bay and sellers refuse to ship to Canada to avoid foolishness like THIS. They were absolutely convinced I was traveling with somebody, and that I was meeting somebody in California. They then didn't think I'd brought enough clothes for my Friday night-Sunday morning sojourn. I pulled them out of the bag and showed them that I had. Then they asked what medication I had. I told them I had some Pamprin and some Tylenol. And on and on and on it went. When they were finally convinced they couldn't hold me on anything, and I knew it, I explained a few things to them. I said that I know it seems weird that I go to LA a lot, but I live a boring life; same job 10 years; same condo 8 years; no husband; no kids; etc. Going to LA on weekend shopping trips is what makes me happy and as long as I'm not breaking any rules, why prevent me from going? Both the customs officers had no choice but to agree with me. I then told the one that we'd actually done this dance before - almost a year to the day, earlier. June 11, 2009. He said he'd never seen me before in his life and I told him to look it up. The only 3 times I've ever been searched were June 2, 2005, June 11, 2009 and June 4, 2010. It's "search the Canadian girl" time of year at Pearson and I'm used to it. He was amazed. I'm still freaking out about my fingerprints... was it legal? Will they do it again? Can I refuse next time? And what if I come into contact with the same officer as I had then? Because there aren't that many officers and chances are good that I will. Should I acknowledge that we've played that game before or just pretend I've never seen him?