 After crossing the fake border, refugees were welcomed and interviewed by supposed agents of the US Counter Intelligence Corps.In these interviews the refugees were asked about their connections to and knowledge of the anti-communist opposition in Czechoslovakia; in many cases, the refugees willingly told the "Americans" about members of their family or social circle who would support the overthrow of the communist regime, in the belief that the Americans could provide assistance to those family or friends.In this way the StB learned the identities of other opponents of communist rule, who were imprisoned along with the would-be refugees.