@aral even though i had been in the US several times and i had a student visa and i was just returning from the semester break and had a connection flight to my small college town, they held me 6 hours sitting no phone, eating or drinking allowed and released me at the exact time my plane took off. i had to sleep in the airport after a 10 hour flight plus 6 hour mandatory sitting. after that i was done with the whole US of A thing.