I did something pretty stupid..

[Ortolan 381]

Just to illustrate how nervous one can get, even a U.S. citizen coming through customs/immigration:

Once I was coming back from Netherlands with cheese in my carry-on.

The officer asks me: "Are you carrying any food?" I say, "Yes, I brought back some cheese." He says, "Is it a GOOD-ah cheese?" with a big smile...meaning, is the cheese good, ha ha... I say, "Um....gosh....I'm not sure, I might've bought Edam or something else...but it's in a wax coating...is that a problem?" (I got thrown because he pronounced it good-a and not ghoud-ah).

He just looks at me, and puts a hand over his eyes, shakes his head a little... he was making a joke, "Is it a good cheese/gouda cheese? Get it?" I started to laugh... You can get so nervous you forget they're people too.

[keysjangle 145]

Relax. They don't have records of what you said. They ask you so that they can see your reaction on the spot and look for suspicious reactions. Do not volunteer any information they don't ask for. Example:

Officer: Hey, how are you doing tod--

You: SIR I'M SO SORRY I LIED AWHILE AGO ABOUT MYJDFKLGJSDJFD...

Don't do that. No reason to mention it at all. If they ask you a question, answer it honestly. If they recorded any of the conversations, they wouldn't have had to ask every time I crossed the border to see my SO what his job was, how we met, etc. It's like the first time every time.

[usmsbow 795]

I wouldn't worry about it. Unless you got pulled into secondary inspection and questioned there, chances are they don't have a word for word record of what you said. Just be truthful from here on in and you should be fine.

Yeah. It's no big deal. You're fine.

[Fan_Dancer 171]

Relax, no one is keeping tabs.

[glazierguy 20]

NEVER offer more info then asked for.....your fine. be polite and sure of yourself.....they sense fear...lol

[TeaCup 65]

I don't exactly have an answer for you, but no, it's not strange. When I first flew to the USA the IO asked me what my reason for travel was and I said to meet my boyfriend for the first time, he asked some questions about how me met, how long we've known eachother, I answer honestly (on a chat site & at the time it was 3 years) He said, "OK, be careful" and sent me on my way

[mamaliza 2]

I am honestly so sorry for what I did. If I say we met online on a forum, will they think that's strange? What may they ask me?

Do they keep exact records of what I have said previously? I'm so scared of being detained. I am going out for Christmas and would hate to be sent back home.

They do keep records of your every word, trust me on this. Do not ever try to lie them, specially if you are not good at it

[usmsbow 795]

They do keep records of your every word, trust me on this. Do not ever try to lie them, specially if you are not good at it

No they don't keep records of every word you say to an immigration person stamping your passport. Please don't make people even more paranoid.

[Rebecca.V 24]

I just came back from my visit in the USA, when I went through US Immigration they asked me what I was doing here, I said I was visiting a friend. They asked how we met and under so much pressure, I said we met through a friend when he was visiting the UK but this was actually false. We met online and this was going to be our first time of meeting. They let me through when I gave names of my friends I was visiting and my job information. Would they have kept exact notes on what I said?

I am now going back in December and I am so terrified of going through Immigration again. What would you suggest I say this time?

I cannot believe how stupid I was.

I really doubt they actually took and kept any notes based on what you said for your permanent record. There's a lot of bureaucracy involved here but more incompetence and disjointed systems than anything else.

[Cathi 5,610]

They do keep records of your every word, trust me on this. Do not ever try to lie them, specially if you are not good at it

and why should we trust you, do you have proof? Why scare someone unnecessarily?

Edited September 27, 2014 by mimolicious

[harryhita 0]

Nothing to worry about.

Relax.

If this is your second visit then its usually much easier then first one

and less questions asked.

[MUXAGIRL 69]

They do not keep record of every word. You would know if they decide to keep record of what you are saying, because then they will be typing furiously on that computer keyboard. So, did the CBPO type into his computer word for word? I guess not, so there is no record of what you said. But lying in General is a bad idea, particularly to US immigration.

However things can get real ugly if you volunteer to your next CBPO that you lied to your first CBPO !! Don't do that. Just be truthful next time without bringing up what little lie you told in the past.

[Divalicious 2]

So, It has been mentioned to me that I may be asked about why I am returning so soon? Since I just got home and am returning in December. Do you think this is possible?

Edited September 27, 2014 by Divalicious

[AJSTR_23 0]

I just came back from my visit in the USA, when I went through US Immigration they asked me what I was doing here, I said I was visiting a friend. They asked how we met and under so much pressure, I said we met through a friend when he was visiting the UK but this was actually false. We met online and this was going to be our first time of meeting. They let me through when I gave names of my friends I was visiting and my job information. Would they have kept exact notes on what I said?

I am now going back in December and I am so terrified of going through Immigration again. What would you suggest I say this time?

I cannot believe how stupid I was.

[AJSTR_23 0]

Divalicious- I just came back from the US last week, visiting my husband. No they do not keep a record of what you say.

Like others have said do not volunteer information, just answer them honesty as they ask you questions. I was asked what was the purpose of my visit and who I was visiting. To which I responded a holiday and my husband. I was then asked is he moving to the UK or am I moving there, I said I was moving there and that was that!

I am also hoping to go back in December. I know how you might feel under pressure or nervous, but like others have said do not volunteer information, just answer them honesty as they ask you the questions.