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John1956PA

(4,287 posts)

16. In 1990, a returning 60-year-old white USA natural-born citizen was put through hell as he looked too sophisticated.

Reply to yardwork (Original post)

Sat Jun 21, 2025, 03:40 PM

Jun 21

The experience which the man recounted was harrowing, but he related it with a tone of comedic irony. He was a very handsome, distinguished looking man of slightly smaller than average stature. He was returning from his first trip to Poland where he has visited distant relatives. He said one of the male customs employees wore a headdress. The man was detained for an hour or more and made to strip down in an interrogation room. My only conclusion in all of this is that there have always been incidents of customs officers taking odd steps in dealing with members of the flying public.

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Reentering the U.S. after international travel. [View all] yardwork Jun 21 OP

What a strange question though fujiyamasan Jun 21 #1

I hope your flight goes smoothly! yardwork Jun 21 #5

Thanks, flight went smoothly fujiyamasan Jun 23 #24

if you answered differently? Captain Zero Jun 21 #2

I wondered that as well but didn't want to put it to the test! yardwork Jun 21 #4

I fear soon they will ask who your favorite president is newdeal2 Jun 21 #3

Not chatty. He was young and efficient. yardwork Jun 21 #6

+1 dalton99a Jun 21 #7

Obvious answer: George Washington VMA131Marine Jun 23 #28

What happens if you say you are depressed as hell Irish_Dem Jun 21 #8

After a 9 hour flight, I really was happy to be home. yardwork Jun 21 #10

You are smart. But I can be a stubborn SOB when I am pissed off. Irish_Dem Jun 21 #15

Almost told off a couple tyrannical immigration pricks years ago, miyazaki Jun 21 #18

My patience is wearing very thin as well. Irish_Dem Jun 21 #19

reminds me of this clip Skittles Jun 23 #31

I suspect it all depends on the flight's origin, MineralMan Jun 21 #9

I'm sure you're right, and I tick most of the MAGA approved boxes. yardwork Jun 21 #11

Yes. I'm sure a regular flight like that gets less attention. MineralMan Jun 21 #12

I am worried about my in-law MissB Jun 21 #13

I hope that everything goes smoothly for them. yardwork Jun 21 #14

In 1990, a returning 60-year-old white USA natural-born citizen was put through hell as he looked too sophisticated. John1956PA Jun 21 #16

Wore a headdress? Like an American Indian war bonnet? yardwork Jun 21 #17

From the man's description of it, the item of apparel sounded more like an Asian headdress. John1956PA Jun 21 #21

HOW is it their business whether or not you are HAPPY Skittles Jun 21 #20

The implication was that I might be up to no good unamerican stuff. yardwork Jun 21 #23

Exactly. What mood I'm in is none of their effin' business. WestMichRad Jun 23 #27

I think a lot depends on the airport. ananda Jun 21 #22

The whole process is very arbitrary and capricious fujiyamasan Jun 23 #25

The fact we are talking about this is proof that foreigners definitely shouldn't travel here. OrlandoDem2 Jun 23 #26

I'm going to the UK in November VMA131Marine Jun 23 #29

I had the same exact concern. yardwork Jun 24 #32

I went back to the USA in April. DFW Jun 23 #30

Something tells me your passport tells a story! yardwork Jun 24 #33

My last one for sure! My present one not so much. DFW Jun 24 #34

Thank you! yardwork Jun 24 #35