When flying from an international destination back to the United States, do you have to go to baggage claim and then the TSA line again?

When I was researching Main Cabin Extra’s perks on American Airlines, the picture on their website shows the overhead bin space is reserved from such customers.
This was appealing to us, since we only packed in carry-on luggage and didn’t want to worry if there was enough overhead bin space. It’s reserved.
2 European trips ago, we flew from Rome to Dallas, and the Italian gate agent went around the seating area and chose passengers whose carry-on’s seemed to be “too big” and needed to be gate checked. We knew our luggage would fit, since we just made the same trip TO Italy 2 weeks before. BUT this flight was full. She spotted my luggage. With little resistance from me, I reluctantly but kindly handed it over for her to gate check. We landed at DFW, picked up my Delsey at baggage claim and hurried to the Pre-Check line. We didn’t have a super long layover so I was scared we wouldn’t make our connecting flight. We did.

Fast forward 6 months and we are taking the exact same route, Rome to Dallas. And the gate agent does it again. This time, I nicely mention that I’m in Main Cabin Extra, so I have dedicated overhead bin space. She asked to see my ticket and then moved on to the next passenger in the seating area.
Little did I know, that no matter your luggage situation, you STILL HAVE TO GO THROUGH SECURITY when you land in the US from an international destination. In DFW, you even pass by baggage claim to get to the TSA line. So it was nothing special. Just let them gate check it.

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