These days people get pulled at immigration if you have a one way ticket, or if you made recent changes to your itinerary (which they are somehow able to tell on your ticket codes). Asian males traveling alone doesn’t help you case nor can you control this part, but believe it not, Asian females traveling alone are prime targets as apparently they are high risk.

Ways to avoid getting pulled at the gate for a spot check — don’t do anything or wear anything that makes you stand out.

For example, don’t wear all black. Don’t use your computers and gadgets at the gate while waiting for boarding as it may be perceived as suspicious activity, don’t board the plane last (especially in a foreign country or in America’s Deep South where Asians are a true minority), etc.

Unfortunately racial profiling is especially prevalent the further out you go as security reps are less and less educated and worldly, IMHO at least.

By the way, great pics on Galapagos. I was there in August and loved the experience. And yes, lot’s of questioning at the borders

And as for looking sketchy .. depends.. were you acting stoopid !

I got yanked out of the Immigration queue in Australia once. Apparently when they ask if you have a criminal record you aren’t supposed to be cheeky and answer ” I didn’t know I needed one !”