Originally Posted by
Paul56
I am never asked where I have been but most always asked
why I am returning which on the surface seems a rather silly
question when I am passport holder for the country I am entering.
That seems really strange! I've never heard that before, in any country, in either direction. Do different agents ask you, or is it always the same officer
Originally Posted by
jphripjah
It's their business, which is why they have the right to search you.
If all US citizens refused to answer the corss-examination questions, then they would be forced to change their tactics and just choose people randomly or based on appearance for searches.
Agreed, and I much prefer this system - through granted I don't wait on line in the USA or Israel (kiosks in both places), so it rarely happens that I meet a live officer when returning as a citizen (I don't go to South Africa at all).