As a US citizen, what questions is Customs permitted to ask you on arrival in the US?
Dec 29, 2007, 3:40 pm
#106
Join Date: May 2007
Location: LAS
Programs: Delta Gold Medallion
Posts: 258
I'm not really presuming what the OP thinks. I'm just saying what they are actually doing, wasting energy. Is it really that important? I think the customs agent's question was kind of wrong as well. But the difference with me is I would have just said "I'm coming home for the holidays" and then forgotton about it. Just my opinion.
Dec 29, 2007, 5:28 pm
#107
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 258
No need to be embarrassed at all. It is easy for us to say in hindsight what we 'should' or 'would' have done but much harder to think straight when someone does something so blatantly wrong and horrible that we never imagined it could happen.
You were wronged plain and simple...it's not playing the victim...it is not being thin skinned or not having a sense of humor...this was pure and simple WRONG and too many people think it's no big deal. This guy has for sure kept this up if he is even still in the system...people do not change...imagine how many other nasty things he has done because he could get away with it. People like him deserve to be hung out to dry.
These kind of people act this way because they CAN. Power corrupts as we know and it seems to corrupt innately stupid and mean people much more than the average joe...logically I guess.
You were wronged plain and simple...it's not playing the victim...it is not being thin skinned or not having a sense of humor...this was pure and simple WRONG and too many people think it's no big deal. This guy has for sure kept this up if he is even still in the system...people do not change...imagine how many other nasty things he has done because he could get away with it. People like him deserve to be hung out to dry.
These kind of people act this way because they CAN. Power corrupts as we know and it seems to corrupt innately stupid and mean people much more than the average joe...logically I guess.
Well, I am rather embarrassed to admit I stood there with my mouth hanging open, stunned into silence. This was somewhat effective in that after a few moments he moved onto business, looking kind of embarrassed himself.
I have replayed the scene in my mind millions of times, wishing I had had my wits about me more, formulating brilliant retorts and fantasizing suitable punishments, all of which involve some variation of him living out his miserable existence homeless and destitute under a crumbling bridge somewhere in remote China with only the kindness of strangers to keep him fed. I wonder sometimes if he could still be identified and something done. It's not like I hold a grudge, it was only 12 years ago.
I have replayed the scene in my mind millions of times, wishing I had had my wits about me more, formulating brilliant retorts and fantasizing suitable punishments, all of which involve some variation of him living out his miserable existence homeless and destitute under a crumbling bridge somewhere in remote China with only the kindness of strangers to keep him fed. I wonder sometimes if he could still be identified and something done. It's not like I hold a grudge, it was only 12 years ago.
Dec 29, 2007, 7:46 pm
#108
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Copenhagen
Programs: British Airways Gold (oneWorld Emerald), Starwood Preferred Guest Platinum
Posts: 1,713
I'm not really presuming what the OP thinks. I'm just saying what they are actually doing, wasting energy. Is it really that important? I think the customs agent's question was kind of wrong as well. But the difference with me is I would have just said "I'm coming home for the holidays" and then forgotton about it. Just my opinion.
Dec 29, 2007, 8:33 pm
#109
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2000
Location: أمريكا
Posts: 26,763
I think it's a bit premature to say that "things are moving..." All that has happened so far is that one federal magistrate has ruled this way. This is just one ruling at the lowest level in the judicial system.
They can search your laptop but a recent court decision indicates that things are moving to where they can't compel you to produce a password.
Dec 29, 2007, 8:54 pm
#110
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Winter Garden, FL
Programs: Delta DM-3MM United Gold-MM Marriott Lifetime Titanium Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 13,498
I am a US citizen living abroad. Came home for xmas recently and the customs guy was grilling me about the "purpose of my visit". I told him I had no "purpose", I was an American coming home for xmas, like everybody else. He insisted, no I must have a "purpose". I told him that regardless of where I was resident, I was a taxpaying (Uncle Sam is quit eager to tax and double-tax citizens abroad, to the point of obsession), passport carrying American and I didnt need a "reason" to re-enter or exist in my own country.
He seem to find this objectionable.
I dont mind them asking me where I have been of if I am carrying anything illegal, but are they constitutionally allowed to demand reasons for wanting to be in your own country, when you are simply exercising your right as a US citizen to do so? Sounds peverse to me.
He seem to find this objectionable.
I dont mind them asking me where I have been of if I am carrying anything illegal, but are they constitutionally allowed to demand reasons for wanting to be in your own country, when you are simply exercising your right as a US citizen to do so? Sounds peverse to me.
Now, I know as well as anybody that they can detain you for hours and search all of your things, etc., etc., but that's really in nobody's interests. They have better things to do -- and know it. This isn't the TSA, after all!
Bruce
Dec 29, 2007, 8:59 pm
#111
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,704
The other incidents weren't invasions of liberties either, just rude and cruel.
Dec 29, 2007, 9:01 pm
#112
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Winter Garden, FL
Programs: Delta DM-3MM United Gold-MM Marriott Lifetime Titanium Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 13,498
I travel internationally twenty or more times a year, sometimes for just a couple of days at a time (or even just one day). Most of the time, I declare "--0--" on my customs form. I've never even been asked about it, let alone given a secondary search. Of course, immigration can see your travel history on their screen. They know what's going on.
Bruce
Bruce
Dec 29, 2007, 9:05 pm
#113
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Winter Garden, FL
Programs: Delta DM-3MM United Gold-MM Marriott Lifetime Titanium Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 13,498
Yes, good point - although you are required only to answer the questions on the customs declaration, they can ASK anything they want, and if you CHOOSE to answer, you can be charged be charged with either perjury or lying to an officer in the event you answer untruthfully -- which is, of course, one of the main reasons why your best course of action is to decline to answer anything, but rather to refer the inspector to your signed declaration.
Bruce
Dec 29, 2007, 9:26 pm
#114
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: on a short leash
Programs: some
Posts: 71,422
Yes, indeed. For decades, I have followed the practice (and advised my children to do the same) of refusing to answer any question from a law-enforcement officer beyond identifying myself. I'm friendly, saying things like, "I would really love to answer your questions, but I just can't do it without my lawyer present. Sorry." That works. My middle son once foolishly answered questions from a police officer and ended up with a ticket for reckless driving. Live and learn!
Bruce
Bruce
Dec 29, 2007, 9:49 pm
#116
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.
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.
Dec 29, 2007, 10:00 pm
#117
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 91
...people do not change...imagine how many other nasty things he has done because he could get away with it. People like him deserve to be hung out to dry.
These kind of people act this way because they CAN. Power corrupts as we know and it seems to corrupt innately stupid and mean people much more than the average joe...logically I guess.
These kind of people act this way because they CAN. Power corrupts as we know and it seems to corrupt innately stupid and mean people much more than the average joe...logically I guess.
You are so right, and that is part of what still bothers me about it - that guy should have had severe enough consequences that he never would say such an appalling thing to anyone again. It bothers me that he was free to continue thinking that what he said was not horrid and stupid and racist and abusive. I hope my stunned silence sent some kind of message, but I doubt it.
Dec 30, 2007, 4:48 am
#118
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: LAX
Posts: 453
No need to be embarrassed at all. It is easy for us to say in hindsight what we 'should' or 'would' have done but much harder to think straight when someone does something so blatantly wrong and horrible that we never imagined it could happen.
You were wronged plain and simple...it's not playing the victim...it is not being thin skinned or not having a sense of humor...this was pure and simple WRONG and too many people think it's no big deal. This guy has for sure kept this up if he is even still in the system...people do not change...imagine how many other nasty things he has done because he could get away with it. People like him deserve to be hung out to dry.
These kind of people act this way because they CAN. Power corrupts as we know and it seems to corrupt innately stupid and mean people much more than the average joe...logically I guess.
You were wronged plain and simple...it's not playing the victim...it is not being thin skinned or not having a sense of humor...this was pure and simple WRONG and too many people think it's no big deal. This guy has for sure kept this up if he is even still in the system...people do not change...imagine how many other nasty things he has done because he could get away with it. People like him deserve to be hung out to dry.
These kind of people act this way because they CAN. Power corrupts as we know and it seems to corrupt innately stupid and mean people much more than the average joe...logically I guess.
Dec 30, 2007, 5:29 am
#120
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: LAX
Posts: 453
I find it interesting that some of the posters on this board engage in the very same behavior that they allegedly detest so much.
I am not, of course, referring to you vesicle.