Al Capone was never convicted after many arrests until his income tax evasion trial. Should he have gotten GE (if it had existed then)? There have been many gangsters with arms-long arrest records but no convictions (courtesy of clever lawyers). People who "get arrested a lot" might indicate some problems with honesty and morals. Of course, I have never been arrested, so I don't know what it's like. I also suspect that a customs violation (e.g., Cuban cigars, salami, fruits, non-disclosure of cash) would be of more interest to CBP than not wearing a seat belt. OTOH, even before the interview, the applicant has to list all convictions but not all arrests; if the agent is going to ask about arrests, shouldn't that be on the application, too?