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U.S. To Seek Social Media Details from All Visa Applicants

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Re: U.S. To Seek Social Media Details from All Visa Applicants

#241

Post by mirimir »

dboreham wrote: post #58

One thing to know is that apparently the reason for having seemingly idiotic questions on immigration forms ("are you a terrorist?", "are you a nazi war criminal?") is not that the government is stupid but rather that they're there in order to be able to deport someone for answering the question incorrectly in the event that the government wants to deport them but lacks sufficient evidence to pursue a criminal case.…

Sure, but isn't the default answer for stuff that would get the visa denied is "no"? Especially if it's a question that's arguably unanswerable?

Re: U.S. To Seek Social Media Details from All Visa Applicants

#242

Post by astura »

adamsea wrote: post #190
paxy wrote: post #170

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That still doesn't make sense. To prove they checked the form wrong, you have to prove the actual charge itself (e.g. they are a terrorist, by whatever definition). That itself is enough evidence for deportation.

You may have misunderstood - I think the parent is saying its the same principle as, say, convicting Al Capone of tax fraud. Create a large number of small, easy-to-accidentally-violate laws (think police stops and traffic laws here), and then selectively enforce them - so if its difficult to prove someone is a terrorist, kick them out of the country for incorrectly filling out their Form WhateverWhatever1300B instea…

They got Al Capone on tax evasion (not fraud) because he evaded taxes, not because of some grand scheme. The IRS is interested in collecting taxes, not policing.

Re: U.S. To Seek Social Media Details from All Visa Applicants

#243

Post by sanderjd »

bassman9000 wrote: post #192
JumpCrisscross wrote: post #152

Earlier quoted context omitted.

One nice thing about having a President with 50%+ disapproval [1] is all the things that got swept under the rug, previously, can now be made alarming. This might be an unintended way the system clears detritus and scope creep. [1] https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/trump-approval-ratings/...

can now be made alarming This is wrong in so many levels, and explains exactly how we got here. You're judging the issue not by its own weight, but by who is going to deal with it, or not.

A counterargument: our system (in the US) is representative. That is, we elect individuals who are empowered to represent us as they see fit. This is subtly different than electing delegates who we expect to carry out our will indirectly.

In a representative system, the "who" is, and is intended to be, important.

Re: U.S. To Seek Social Media Details from All Visa Applicants

#244

Post by AjJi »

tmaier wrote: post #239

This kind of behaviour is a case of why one should avoid hosting internation conferences in the US. Sad for the US, but important to keep in mond when organizing.

FWIW, the Dota2 International[1] for 2018 will be held in Vancouver this year, all previous editions were in the US.

[1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_International_(Dota_2)

Re: U.S. To Seek Social Media Details from All Visa Applicants

#245

Post by stjohnswarts »

bambax wrote: post #179
Someone1234 wrote: post #24

People I've spoken to seem more comfortable acting like this is part of the current administration's agenda, rather than an encroaching trend which has been gradually getting worse year upon year. For example this specific policy was added as an "optional" (not really) question on an entry form before the 2016 presidential elections (I know, I wrote a letter protesting it during public comment period). My point is: B…

Yes, it's not Trump, it's the US. I will probably never visit that country again, and I don't much care; but, I'm kind of sad for my kids. That said, the world is a big place. Let's hope not every other country does the same.

We don't care. Have a good life.

Re: U.S. To Seek Social Media Details from All Visa Applicants

#246

Post by briandear »

bambax wrote: post #179
Someone1234 wrote: post #24

People I've spoken to seem more comfortable acting like this is part of the current administration's agenda, rather than an encroaching trend which has been gradually getting worse year upon year. For example this specific policy was added as an "optional" (not really) question on an entry form before the 2016 presidential elections (I know, I wrote a letter protesting it during public comment period). My point is: B…

Yes, it's not Trump, it's the US. I will probably never visit that country again, and I don't much care; but, I'm kind of sad for my kids. That said, the world is a big place. Let's hope not every other country does the same.

To get a visa for France, I had to provide my full financial details -- bank statements, information on investments, etc. I also had to provide an FBI background check. To get a visa for China, you can be denied for content of social media posts. In Thailand, you can be arrested upon arrival if you've ever written a blog post critical of the king. The UK can bar entry based on the prior speech of applicants: rapper Tyler, the Creator was banned from entry. Right wing journalists have been denied entry to the UK, even a very popular talk radio host from the US has been denied entry into the UK for nothing more than his opinions -- despite no criminal record or any other "threat." Julien Blanc, an American "dating coach" has been denied entry by Britain, Australia and Brazil because he's a YouTube star "pickup artist."

Let's not pretend the US is unique in actually screening visa applicants and choosing to decide who can enter and who can not. I'm getting tired of the self-righteous condemnation of the United States when pretty much every country in the world discriminates in visa issuance. But the immigration policies of India, Mexico, Japan, Korea or Australia are far less interesting in this click-bait media world in which we live.

Re: U.S. To Seek Social Media Details from All Visa Applicants

#247

Post by stjohnswarts »

bambax wrote: post #174
ajeet_dhaliwal wrote: post #6

When the United States does something like this others start doing it too, sometimes seemingly just to reciprocate or spite. The US contributes so much to the world with respect to tech, business, culture and science but it’s also an exporter of increasing bureaucracy.

> bureaucracy I wouldn't call it bureaucracy, but I don't know of a proper, better name. Hysteria maybe. Not sure.

Bureaucracy is often the result of hysteria. The USA is hysterical over terrorism when it should be hysterical over cancer, college cost increases, and health care. It's all a product of the government realizing that it's easy to fool the bleating masses with terrorist straw men.

Re: U.S. To Seek Social Media Details from All Visa Applicants

#248

Post by klipt »

golergka wrote: post #195
Someone1234 wrote: post #24

People I've spoken to seem more comfortable acting like this is part of the current administration's agenda, rather than an encroaching trend which has been gradually getting worse year upon year. For example this specific policy was added as an "optional" (not really) question on an entry form before the 2016 presidential elections (I know, I wrote a letter protesting it during public comment period). My point is: B…

Wait, how can you have someone representative in US if you're on a visa? Shouldn't you be a citizen to vote? Also, I was under impression that any visa can be revoked at will, why would they need special trick questions for it?

Congress members represent everyone in their district, not only registered voters. Green card holders etc are allowed to write to their representatives.

Re: U.S. To Seek Social Media Details from All Visa Applicants

#249

Post by nbdev »

s73v3r_ wrote: post #121
nbdev wrote: post #68

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is why I hate HN. Someone here has an opinion that doesn't toe the line and instead of asking about the opinion, instead of considering he might be right in at least some way, we downvote to oblivion. Bunch of assholes, really.

Because their "opinion" is straight trolling. Not every opinion deserves respect. And I notice you didn't ask about the opinion, but rather just started complaining about everyone else who wasn't in the mood for their bullshit.

Say it like it is: their opinion goes against your indoctrination so you cry out an accusation.

I didn't question him and I didn't downvote him either. You are mixed up. I'm the one calling bullshit here.

Re: U.S. To Seek Social Media Details from All Visa Applicants

#250

Post by klipt »

_acme wrote: post #211
techsin101 wrote: post #147

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Usually when you screw enough people you have to remain paranoid. There is a reason countries like USA, France, and Uk are always targeted whereas countries like Denmark, Canada, Norway, and so on are never in the news despite being easier to get in, same philosophy, and more wealthy.

Is it really easier to get 'in' Denmark or Norway than the US or UK? Perhaps for vacation travel, but to settle permanently in small, wealthy, homogeneous countries is usually far more difficult than to settle in the US.

Any EU/EEA citizen has the right to settle in Denmark or Norway, so if getting in directly is hard, just get citizenship in another EU/EEA country first.
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