Hi,

I applied for Global Entry and was conditionally approved. I went to the interview today (I did it at one of the land ports of entry instead of an airport because the port of entry is closer to where I live than the airport) and had a really scary experience. Wondering if anyone else has had this and can offer some advice. I thought I would post here since Flyertalk is where I learned about this. I am literally so scared after this, but feel helpless.

I have been working in Europe as a freelance journalist but recently quit my job and came home to live with my parents for a while to take a break and recover while studying for the GREs and applying to grad school with a target start date of next fall. In the meantime, I will be traveling around and doing some freelance work.

I didn't realize that being unemployed would be such a red flag, but apparently it is. I was just trying to be honest on the application. The agent who interviewed me first told me I should have brought along bank account statements (I didn't realize this was necessary and it doesn't say this on GOES) and when I told him I had a German bank account and could show him the money online he said it didn't matter and it had to be American. He called in a supervisor. The supervisor immediately asked me how I supported myself. I tried to explain the whole European background but he kept interrupting me, and then he poked his finger at me "don't lie to me, stop being evasive, just tell me the truth." I swear to God I wasn't trying to be evasive, but I couldn't explain it with just one word. I was extremely scared at this point and thought they would arrest me and I was finally able to explain that I was living with my parents. Then they said they were worried I could be recruited by drug cartels to smuggle in drugs. They then told me I was being rejected and to leave immediately. They said I could reapply later but I have to be employed and to bring all my bank account details.

I have the equivalent of 8,000 dollars in my bank account, but apparently that is too little. In retrospect, I understand their concern, but I swear I did not think this would even be an issue. I guess I am too naive.

I understand being rejected and to some extent it makes sense to me. But why do those guys need to talk to me like this? I don't understand. I was raised to respect police and have never committed a crime in my life, but I felt like I was treated like I was some sort of hard core drug smuggler. It left me feeling humiliated and afraid I am on some CBP blacklist now (I specifically asked them this, however, and they told me that I am not on a blacklist).