It has been a strange year.
Having myself been hassled, over decades, by quite an array of officious and sometimes seriously threatening frontier (and inland) authorities encountered while traveling, I feel concern for non US-citizens who are being caught on the rough edges of the system during this period of official transition from under-controlling the US frontiers to overcontrolling them.
At this moment in time, the U.S. press seems poised to follow up and crucify any official who is caught being lax or making a bad decision that leaves a trail, so the govt. guys who want to collect their pensions are inclined to err way far on the side of caution.
As most at Pprune likely already understand, being even slightly indignant, threatening, impatient, deceptive or evasive is the best way to set off their alarm bells.
For those who have serious red - flag type issues, whether due to history, birth, or associations, the best insurance against problems is to disclose the sticky bits up front - before the fact, if possible - to relevant authorities and to people or organizations that can subsequently vouch for the disclosure. Of course, for private-minded persons, this can be difficult - for quite legitimate reasons. One can hope that ICAO or some of the U.S. Aviation organizations will eventually get in the loop to help individuals avoid and / or resolve various sorts of potential problems at the border.
Let's try to have a little sense of humor about this. It will pass soon enough as the new rules are sorted out, digested and - eventually - understood. Meanwhile, it is good theater - when you aren't the one in the box.