Troubles with US Immigration?
Jun 28th, 2004, 06:27 PM
#21
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Frequent Flyer: Did you mean "detained" instead of "delayed?" I'm not sure I understand what the problem is. I welcome whatever extra security there may be at any airport these days.
Coming back from Morocco through CDG in November 2001 I was detained and questioned extensively and had my bags checked thoroughly. Twice since then I have been "targeted" by United Airlines (which claims it nabs every 50th customer to come through security) and questioned in detail and had my bags searched before takeoff from CDG.
I admit I've never had any sort of questioning upon arrival in the USA except for the Ag guys, because I'm always bringing in meat products and have always spent time on a "farm," which I usually readily admit to. But those guys normally wave me through.
Years ago, upon returning from North Africa, I was detained at Dulles I asume because I fit some sort of "hippie" profile and the result was that some very precious amber jewelry I had brought back was confiscated. Fortunately, I was working for a fairly prominent U.S. Congressman at the time, and his inquiries led to my getting back my stuff.
If you're profiled for any reason, consider it a fairly good one in these days of insecurity.
And Flanneruk, I think it is definitely any country's responsibility to know where its citizens have spent time and how much time. However would a country track mad cow disease, for example, without knowing who was on what farm in what country at what time? This isn't a major strike against freedom, for goodness' sake - it's just basic common sense. Spare us your anti-American sentiment.
London, in particular, is a hotbed of terrorism, so maybe you might want to get real about security measures and not harken back to when the Bobbies only had nightsticks to deal with crime. Those days are over.
Coming back from Morocco through CDG in November 2001 I was detained and questioned extensively and had my bags checked thoroughly. Twice since then I have been "targeted" by United Airlines (which claims it nabs every 50th customer to come through security) and questioned in detail and had my bags searched before takeoff from CDG.
I admit I've never had any sort of questioning upon arrival in the USA except for the Ag guys, because I'm always bringing in meat products and have always spent time on a "farm," which I usually readily admit to. But those guys normally wave me through.
Years ago, upon returning from North Africa, I was detained at Dulles I asume because I fit some sort of "hippie" profile and the result was that some very precious amber jewelry I had brought back was confiscated. Fortunately, I was working for a fairly prominent U.S. Congressman at the time, and his inquiries led to my getting back my stuff.
If you're profiled for any reason, consider it a fairly good one in these days of insecurity.
And Flanneruk, I think it is definitely any country's responsibility to know where its citizens have spent time and how much time. However would a country track mad cow disease, for example, without knowing who was on what farm in what country at what time? This isn't a major strike against freedom, for goodness' sake - it's just basic common sense. Spare us your anti-American sentiment.
London, in particular, is a hotbed of terrorism, so maybe you might want to get real about security measures and not harken back to when the Bobbies only had nightsticks to deal with crime. Those days are over.
Jun 28th, 2004, 06:46 PM
#23
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For what it's worth flanneruk, as someone with an equal share in the "american pie", I didn't find your statements to be anti-"me". Not all of us are falling into lockstep, by the way, but I think that probably has more to do with my being post-baby boom. The ground swell have hit an awkward age.
Jun 28th, 2004, 07:05 PM
#24
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I must have an Angelic expression and dont fit their profile, but so far,I have been pretty lucky in my travels.
Once I came back from Milan with 2 Prosciuttos, sausages and cheese...I confess that I was a little nervous going through Customs..but luckily all went well.
Once I came back from Milan with 2 Prosciuttos, sausages and cheese...I confess that I was a little nervous going through Customs..but luckily all went well.
Jun 28th, 2004, 10:41 PM
#25
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I couldn't bring back all that sausage and cheese and not get caught. I mean, the beagle on customs duty tagged me in February. All I had were my pastries and I was not going to part with them
He was scratching my backpack which contained them. Imagine if I'd brought back the sausage and cheese he'd have been pointing his paw at me for sure.
He was scratching my backpack which contained them. Imagine if I'd brought back the sausage and cheese he'd have been pointing his paw at me for sure.
Jun 29th, 2004, 04:06 AM
#26
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There was a article in the local German paper about a german man who works for Daimler-Chrysler who had been traveling back and forth between Germany, the US, and Mexico for 20 years. He complained that on his last trip he was held up at customs and questioned for several hours. After that they threw him in jail for the night and didn't allow him any phone calls. The next morning they deported him back to germany. When he tried to complain to the American consulate he was told to keep his mouth shut. --Just something I thought I would throw out there.......
Jun 29th, 2004, 05:11 AM
#28
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>If you're a citizen of the country you're arriving in, officials should not - and in civilised countries, do not - have any right to question your bonae fides. <
You mean folks like Jose Padilla, Yaser Hamdi, Abdul Hamid and John Walker Lindh?
You mean folks like Jose Padilla, Yaser Hamdi, Abdul Hamid and John Walker Lindh?
Jun 29th, 2004, 05:32 AM
#29
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Being African or Latin descent is nmot a pre requisite for being a jerk at immigration...it crosses all racial boundries. Who on earth is asked for their tax returns? Does this happen?
I went to Boston with my other half about 2 months after Sept 11th and the customs in Dublin were unnecessairly rude to my partner. We both walked up to the counter and many other couples did and he saw that my partner was not a citizen and sked him very harshy to stand behind the line. I said we were together and he asked if we were married and I said no.....then he said not too nicely that we are not related and he must stand behind the line. If he was my husband and a non US national it seemed ok but not for a partner It was a bit OTT. My other half was quite annoyed by this and I had to tell him to keep quiet or we wil get hassle from them. I always thought they were so polite in the past. I guess it's a different world now.
I went to Boston with my other half about 2 months after Sept 11th and the customs in Dublin were unnecessairly rude to my partner. We both walked up to the counter and many other couples did and he saw that my partner was not a citizen and sked him very harshy to stand behind the line. I said we were together and he asked if we were married and I said no.....then he said not too nicely that we are not related and he must stand behind the line. If he was my husband and a non US national it seemed ok but not for a partner It was a bit OTT. My other half was quite annoyed by this and I had to tell him to keep quiet or we wil get hassle from them. I always thought they were so polite in the past. I guess it's a different world now.
Jun 29th, 2004, 08:18 AM
#31
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>... a german man who works for Daimler-Chrysler ... When he tried to complain to the American consulate he was told to keep his mouth shut. <
Why would a German complain to the American Consulate?
If in the US he should call the German consulate. If in Germany wouldn't he call the Foreign Ministry?
Why would a German complain to the American Consulate?
If in the US he should call the German consulate. If in Germany wouldn't he call the Foreign Ministry?
Jun 29th, 2004, 10:02 AM
#32
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Janeg: I didn?t knew someone was keeping track of me, I appreciate that. lol. If most people that post messages were as insightful and constructive in their comments as you are at this moment I would have left this forum a long long long time ago, I have notice that there are very bright and clever people in this forum with very interesting comments, as for you I don?t think you qualify into such category, at least not in this particular discussion.
SiobhanP: I admit it is odd to hear that US Immigration is asking for tax returns and bank statements, it does happen, it has happened to me and to several other business people that I know. You want to hear some other odd/silly documents they are asking?, utilities bills (energy, water, phone), payroll documents, social security or any other medical insurance. As for me I only have been bothered for tax returns and bank statements. Isn?t that silly?
SiobhanP: I admit it is odd to hear that US Immigration is asking for tax returns and bank statements, it does happen, it has happened to me and to several other business people that I know. You want to hear some other odd/silly documents they are asking?, utilities bills (energy, water, phone), payroll documents, social security or any other medical insurance. As for me I only have been bothered for tax returns and bank statements. Isn?t that silly?
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