Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Toronto, ON but someday (hopefully) OGG or ACK
Programs: DL, AA, US, AC, Marriott Platinum, HHhonors Silver (Woo Hoo!)
Posts: 263
As an American living in Canada, once the immigration officer establishes that I reside in Toronto, I usually get the question of what is the purpose of my visit to the U.S. My response is always the same: "I am going home". I say this no matter what city in the U.S. I am traveling to. Most of the time I get a chuckle or a half smile from the officer. Sometimes I get a "welcome back" from the officer. Sometimes I get more probing questions like is my family in XYZ city or whatever, but most time the answer has the effect of verbally disarming the officer.
My experience has been that a positive attitude goes a long way to a smooth encounter with immigrations/customs. One day I will perhaps find the officer who will not react kindly to my declaration of the United States as my home. But so far, so good. It is an art not a science.