I agree - I've traveled a few times to the US to speak at conferences and every time the border agent tried to entrap me - i.e., tried to get me to confess that

I agree - I've traveled a few times to the US to speak at conferences and every time the border agent tried to entrap me - i.e., tried to get me to confess that I'm being paid for my presentation, which obviously isn't covered by ESTA. I've never been paid, classic academic. But they still try every time! How much can a regular person earn in speaking fees that this would warrant interviews? EU/Australia/New Zealand/Japan has been the opposite experience - they never asked.