US immigration - lie?

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Kathrin

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I am at the airport where I just went through US immigration. I have come to the US many times before so the officer asked me a lot of questions. She asked me what I was doing during mz times in the US when I wasn’t a student anymore. I said, come back to see friends, help people… she asked did I work?
I said no.
It came without me thinking much but then I remembered the time when I helped a friend clean his house and he paid me for it and some other small things from long ago…in recent years I haven’t even done any small favors for money anymore because I don’t want to do illegal things…
I had told an officer on a former trip about it and he had said it’s technically illegal but a small thing. That was during an intense questioning. My priest said once it would be ok to say no now.

Still I wonder, did I lie? Would anybody of you suggest that I walk back to immigration and tell them? Probably a bad idea… but am I morally in the wrong?

I come here to do good too, I visit disabled people etc, friends of mine… but the end doesn’t justify the means it has been said here before.

I didn’t really intentionally lie I think, but was I wrong?

Kathrin
 
Well I think I’ll process to my next flight… I hope I didn’t really sin, and if it was a small sin that i am not sinning by not going back now.

Kathrin
 
No, I do not think you lied because the question asked by the officer is with respect to formal employment. What you admitted to was akin to working under the table which is why they said it was wrong, but just because America has become so anal the rest of the world shouldn’t.

If you help someone clean their garage out and they offer you $20 for your time, that is not working or employment. Its life. If you interview and get hired and receive a paycheck…then you are working. If not- it’s not their concern.
 
Sorry I missed you. I hope you arrive safely at your destination.

Kathrin, You did not sin. And no, you do not need to go back and volunteer this information to the officers. It is a small thing and you are fine.

Just relax and enjoy yourself.
 
Saying “no” is the correct response to that question. As Verisimilitude pointed out, the officer was asking about formal employment. These officers don’t care about what you do informally for friends. 🙂
 
Well in any case I think I would have made myself kind of suspicious had I turned back and tried to explain anything… 🙂

Thanks for the replies.
🙂

Kathrin
 
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