Immigration makes me nervous :\

I've noticed this too in recent years. Worse yet is when I only travel with a carry on sized bag. 'Is that all you have?' I didn't realize there was a minimum luggage requirement or that I am expected to bring gifts back to family and friends.  I explained on my last trip to the US that it was my third trip back in three months because my sister got married. This last trip was just a week and I have clothes at my sister's house.

I imagine they do it to catch me out and get me to fit a profile.

I used to dread the 20 questions when arriving back in the UK with my WP and then ILR. Now I am pleased to zip through the non-judgemental electronic gates with my UK passport. I never thought I would feel so welcomed here.

I never had anything but polite indifference on either end. 

The only time I raised an eye brow was when we went to Amsterdam for a day.     But it was to meet my parents because they won't come to England since they have already been here.  I'm sure the IO noticed my annoyance.

Geesh, the last time I came through US immigration (in Atlanta), the guy never even looked up at me nor said one word. It was annoying, tbh!

Goddamn New Englanders. Grew up in MA and will NEVER move back!

Are you being serious? Because as a PROUD New Englander this kind of offends me. Not sure what her being from MA had to do with it. It sounds like you just had a US Immigration Officer on a power trip. New England doesn't really have the monopoly on jerks. That being said, it is ridiculous that you were questioned so heavily as a US citizen.

Are you being serious? Because as a PROUD New Englander this kind of offends me. Not sure what her being from MA had to do with it. It sounds like you just had a US Immigration Officer on a power trip. New England doesn't really have the monopoly on jerks.

True.

I remember returning to the US after a 6 month trip to Ireland.  Upon reaching the IO's desk he said, why did you stand in line and go through all that, you already did this at Shannon?"  (You actually go through US immigration at Shannon when flying to the US, and I knew that, but to be on the safe side I went through it all again in the US.)
"Oh!  I just followed everyone else!"  I said.  He sort of smiled and shook his head and said, "Don't do that, don't follow everyone else."  He welcomed me home and through I went.  Yay for IO's who encourage free thinking and individuality in the immigration process! 

Add me to the list of people who feel they get more hassle from the US side of things. I had one at LAX who flat out asked my why I would want to live anywhere but the US. I didn't say people like you, although he would not have understood.

This last time at Dulles they guy did not even open his mouth. No hello, no questions, nothing. Just glared at me and handed my passport back. I'd love to know what happens when they scan my passport as it seems like there is a popup window reading "WARNING-STINKY FOREIGNER LOVER -PLEASE WASH YOUR HANDS AFTER CONTACT".

 

Another one who gets a lot of hassle going back into the US!

Most of the time these days I fly into small airports back into the UK so everyone is quite friendly.  I/Os at Edinburgh and Aberdeen are really lovely.
If stuck through Heathrow or Gatwick, I use IRIS to avoid problems (and speed my time up!!). I've had some pretty tough I/Os in both places. 

My most annoying American IO moment occurred in Newark last August. I returned from a 5 week trip and the IO questioned me about how much time I had been spending in the UK, so I explained that I had a boyfriend over there. The IO then asked how many times DF had been to visit me in America and because it was less than the number of times I had gone to the UK, he suggested that DF didn't love me as much and I should make sure DF came to visit me next.  I thought you were supposed to protect the border not lecture me about the "He's Just Not That into You" philosophy.

Add me to the list of people who feel they get more hassle from the US side of things.

I blame TSA. It never used to be this way.

My police officer brother asked if I was glad that the US was so strict and asked so many questions to prevent terrorist/drug smuggling. Um, not so much as it is not as fun to return home as it used to be. But then again, neither am I a fan for full body screening!

I feel more welcomed when I fly back to the UK via manchester! Firstly, they smile on the UK side and only ask me one or two questions. The US side always makes me feel terrible. Last time when I flew into Newark the IO swore at me ('so you don't know where the f*** you're staying at?') and then called me an idiot ('I feel like I'm only dealing with idiots today'). I was so tired by that point I burst into tears. I am so angry now about it though and wish I could've asked to speak to a supervisor equivalent and filed a complaint.

I've just returned from the US 3 days ago.
The guy at Dulles was just businesslike with a gruff edge, which is fine by me.  But coming back, the guy at Amarillo was, i think, either flirting with me or just being overly nice... telling me that I look SO much better in person than I do on my passport photo, big smile, lots of eye contact.  It kind of grossed me out, either way.

I breezed through Newark this time. The guy asked if I just wanted to make sure I didn't overstay my visa, after looking at it, then smiled and welcomed me home. I've never really had trouble on the US side of things, but once in Atlanta I was questioned a bit more than I felt necessary, being a US citizen. I only had trouble on the UK side the first time I went, but that was because I was underprepared.

Are you being serious? Because as a PROUD New Englander this kind of offends me. Not sure what her being from MA had to do with it. It sounds like you just had a US Immigration Officer on a power trip. New England doesn't really have the monopoly on jerks. That being said, it is ridiculous that you were questioned so heavily as a US citizen.

Sorry for offending! I grew up in Shrewsbury and moved to Oklahoma when I graduated high school. Maybe Shrewsbury has a monopoly on rude people? I'm not the one that came up with the term "massholes" so I'm certainly not the only person to hold such disdain for MA

I'm sure the IO was on a massive power trip but I gotta say the big issues didn't start with her until after I showed her my OK license as proof of my previous address. At that point she definitely started giving me attitude and let some remarks fly about "rednecks" and "hicks". A lot of guests at my brother's wedding also talked down to me. "So, you're from Oklahoma? Bet you're happy to be in a big city/not used to such a fast way of life/shocked at the lack of cows and horses!". Uhhh...Last time I checked, Oklahoma City and Tulsa are cities. I've never lived in the country! Well, until I moved to Wales, hahaha.

Even my brother looks down his nose at my family and the fact that we live and love OK. Such a stuck up, SOB! lol. I'm a proud Okie!