No, they are profiling for patterns that may indicate illegal activity. Carrying $9,950 through on one trip is perfectly legal. But, the person carrying $9,950 is more likely to be structuring transactions than the person carrying $300. Same with the person staying 86 days instead of 14 days. They get the scrutiny.
I dont know if I aggree with you about the money.
To much is not good. But to little is even worse. Cause is going to feed you?
They just want to see that you are not a burden to the country.
I got away with it at that time. The reason was that I was the "bread winner".