General Discussion

The customs and border patrol officer we encountered couldn't be bothered to care. We're used to filling out a CBP form on the plane - none were provided, so I figured we'd be standing around writing on walls or any other flat surface to fill it out.

The officer had a copy posted on his interview window - I asked if we were supposed to fill one out. His response was "They don't pay me enough. It's just there to remind people what's on it." He didn't even ask us if we had anything to declare.

It was the most lackadaisical interaction I've had at the border - in contrast to what I expected in Houston, in these times.

We didn't encounter any ICE agents.

I did turn my phone off, but I didn't do anything else. As someone who is relatively privileged (white, educated, born in this country, access to money and people), if they want to pick on me, I have the resources to survive it - and potentially to embarrass them.

One other possibility - if you have a travel SIM card, you can just leave that in. Chances that it will work in the US are slim to none.