I traveled quite a bit at one point and it was beaten into my head repeatedly that you never mention work unless you have a work visa
It was acceptable to say you were there for a day for a “meeting” but that was still a touchy subject they could absolutely detain you for. “They” in this case was not the U.S. border patrol. All countries want to keep out workers who don’t have the right visa
Needless to say, telling border patrol of any country that you are a residing at someone’s house to work under the table in exchange for housing should get you in trouble.
The U.S. just seems more amenable to making your life hell over it right now
It was acceptable to say you were there for a day for a “meeting” but that was still a touchy subject they could absolutely detain you for. “They” in this case was not the U.S. border patrol. All countries want to keep out workers who don’t have the right visa
Needless to say, telling border patrol of any country that you are a residing at someone’s house to work under the table in exchange for housing should get you in trouble.
The U.S. just seems more amenable to making your life hell over it right now