Originally Posted by
ESpen36
It is possible that your passport has been flagged, so when the passport control (immigration) officer swiped your passport upstairs, something popped up. Then, the officer alerted the Customs folks to go look for you as you were waiting for your luggage.
The most obvious questions:
1) have you ever been found in violation of immigration/customs regulations anywhere in the world?
2) do you have any active warrants anywhere in the world?
3) do you frequently get SSSS on your boarding passes? (could mean there is something on your DHS record)
The "profiling" questions:
1) were you a male traveling alone?
2) entering after visiting location(s) in SE Asia? (and then returning via Amsterdam)
3) were you dressed in an unusual way?
4) anything like a moustache, beard, turban, etc.? Do you need to wear dark glasses indoors for medical reasons?
Absolutely right on all items. I think you may be overreacting if this has happened twice. That is merely a coincidence. My apprehension would increase significantly if it happened a third time.
You may want to consider joining the Global Entry program. CBP does a background check on you and you have to have an in person interview with CBP. Once you have that you will find that your trip through customs is smoother.
If their computers have you flagged, you will find out and be able to work through it. The poster quoted above is correct. The immigration officer can initiate a further check while you wait for bags.
A couple of questions none of which is intended to offend:
Were you a jerk to the immigration officer? Were you aggravated with a delay? Did your behavior make you a target?
Any chance you were over served on your flight and you appeared to be intoxicated?
Any chance your attire or luggage is noteworthy? I have seen folks carrying their kit in garbage bags and others carrying very expensive luggage both get culled from the herd. Those that blend in do not seem to be picked as often. (very unscientific-just observations)
Were you gone away for an very short time? Did you visit provocative countries?
I do not see the Asian factor noteworthy.
Play a game next time--in your mind pick out who you would want to take a look at if you were CBP, determine why you made your decision, and go from there.
I hope this is merely a coincidence.