Originally Posted by
jphripjah
Why do some many CBP officers have trouble accepting that U.S. citizens have no obligation to answer their questions about "What were you doing outside the USA" and "What do you do for a living in the USA?"
Shouldn't "None of your business" be a perfectly acceptable answer from a US citizen that doesn't trigger secondary inspection?
It goes back to training, where you question everyone the same.
In theory, it goes back to the basics, of seeing how a traveler can afford this trip, and if not, what shady organization is funding it, and what are they really up to.
Occasionally this will lead to something bigger. I've seen a few USCs referred to our anti-terrorism, narco, and baggage teams based off their answers on Primary; these have led to seizures, penalties, and arrests.
And just human decency.
I generally don't ask much of USCs returning from vacation. But hey, you make my job hard, I'll mix it up and see where I can send you. Play the game, it's not all that hard. Or don't, we don't really care.