CBP asking me a question about my trip
Dec 20, 2013, 11:11 pm
#1
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CBP asking me a question about my trip
Why CBP asking me a question about my entire trip? I flew into DTW by last month. I went through immigration & customs. I stopped at Immigrations, but he asked me a few question about my trip. He said "How long you stay in Switzerland?" I replied him that I said "Actually, I stay in Switzerland for 4 days. I visit to see my brother & my new niece." Then he stamp on Customs Form, but not in my passport. Why he didn't stamp in my passport? Is no longer existed? I just don't understand it.
Last edited by N830MH; Dec 20, 2013 at 11:17 pm
Dec 21, 2013, 8:11 am
#3
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I'm almost always asked about the length of my stay, also occasionally if it was for work or pleasure. No idea either about official policy but I'd also say they stamp my passport about 1/4 of the time.
Dec 21, 2013, 3:48 pm
#4
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A US citizen returning to their own country is not required to answer any questions beyond what they have declared on the customs form. And they are not required to answer them verbally.
You are, of course, free to answer any questions if you wish. OTOH, you are entitled to instruct the officer to rely on what you have declared in writing and you do not wish to modify it.
You are, of course, free to answer any questions if you wish. OTOH, you are entitled to instruct the officer to rely on what you have declared in writing and you do not wish to modify it.
Dec 21, 2013, 4:04 pm
#7
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A US citizen returning to their own country is not required to answer any questions beyond what they have declared on the customs form. And they are not required to answer them verbally.
You are, of course, free to answer any questions if you wish. OTOH, you are entitled to instruct the officer to rely on what you have declared in writing and you do not wish to modify it.
You are, of course, free to answer any questions if you wish. OTOH, you are entitled to instruct the officer to rely on what you have declared in writing and you do not wish to modify it.
Doing so virtually guarantees a full secondary and a flag for future entries. Other than proving that it can be done, it serves no purpose.
Dec 21, 2013, 4:23 pm
#8
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If every returning US citizen (or even half of them) refused to answer questions, CBP would pretty quickly stop asking intrusive questions. They can't send everyone to secondary and hold them for hours and search their bags.
Dec 21, 2013, 4:28 pm
#9
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Just to be clear I am not advising anyone else to do this. Most people are not interested in enforcing limits on these people's behavior by exercising their own rights and are more concerned with their own personal convenience.
Dec 21, 2013, 4:32 pm
#10
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Global Entry eliminates the need for answering these kinds of BS questions - at least in those airports with such machines.
As others have said, US citizens should politely and respectfully push back on these kinds of intrusions (at least when no tight connection is involved).
As others have said, US citizens should politely and respectfully push back on these kinds of intrusions (at least when no tight connection is involved).
Dec 21, 2013, 4:40 pm
#11
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Dec 21, 2013, 9:19 pm
#12
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Dec 21, 2013, 11:16 pm
#13
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A US citizen returning to their own country is not required to answer any questions beyond what they have declared on the customs form. And they are not required to answer them verbally.
You are, of course, free to answer any questions if you wish. OTOH, you are entitled to instruct the officer to rely on what you have declared in writing and you do not wish to modify it.
You are, of course, free to answer any questions if you wish. OTOH, you are entitled to instruct the officer to rely on what you have declared in writing and you do not wish to modify it.
Dec 22, 2013, 1:09 pm
#14
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As far as I know the OP is deaf so I presume sign language or writing was the main way communication happened. Some in CBP do not even speak English as a primary language (I'm talking to you famous "Frenchie" at IAH) and plenty of others have problems with those that do not speak "their version of" English so I am sure sign language would just throw them into a tizzy...
Dec 23, 2013, 6:07 am
#15
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Too many people act like sheep these days, which is part of the reason why our government has become as overbearing as it is now.