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Another awesome US immigration experience

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Re: Another awesome US immigration experience

#201

Post by Vivtek »

jwr wrote: post #123
mdasen wrote: post #75

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I understand the argument you're making. From the perspective of the United States, they don't need to care unless it adversely affects the United States. As such, the US can make whatever immigration it wants and it writes its own destiny and people can take it or leave it much like many offerings we see in life from companies, other people, etc. If a company is putting onerous conditions on its product, we'll switc…

Actually, United States citizenship doesn't necessarily solve the problem. I have a dual citizenship, so I can compare entry procedures. I was always baffled when US immigration asks me questions about what work I do or where I'm headed when I'm entering the country. I couldn't see how it was any of their business. In most (if not all) of the EU, an immigration officer being presented a native passport has exactly tw…

Yes. Every time I enter the United States, I'm asked very specific questions about why I lived a year in Canada. I have never lived in Canada, but my very unique name (Michael Roberts - just try Googling me) obviously leads to considerable suspicion.

And they don't ask it like, "Oh, you lived in Canada, what was that all about." They very specifically are questioning my loyalty. Their attitude says if they were legally allowed to deny me entry, they'd love to.

Re: Another awesome US immigration experience

#202

Post by khuey »

mahyarm wrote: post #129
ryan wrote: post #19

If you have a green card you can avoid this by signing up for Global Entry[1]. Then you can avoid customs lines and just swipe your card at the kiosk - enter the country without ever talking to anyone. As an extra benefit the kiosk is always empty so you are through in minutes... hmm maybe I shouldn't be spreading the word about this :) [1] http://www.globalentry.gov/

Most of these programs require retina/iris photographs, which I feel extremely uncomfortable with.

Global Entry is just fingerprints.

Re: Another awesome US immigration experience

#204

Post by krluna »

mahyarm wrote: post #126
mbesto wrote: post #87

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> But this kind of stuff is what tips the balance the other way, not for me, but for other people like yourself. Says who? How do you speak on others behalf? No offense, but your post (like many others) just sounds like someone who is upset that were inconvenienced for a day. If you have all of your papers sorted out (and nothing is fishy), what's so mentally anguishing about having to wait? The problem is, as you sa…

> No offense, but your post (like many others) just sounds like someone who is upset that were inconvenienced for a day. If you have all of your papers sorted out (and nothing is fishy), what's so mentally anguishing about having to wait? It's not just 'waiting'. The problem is every time you cross the border there is the very real chance that the mistaken opinion of a border guard would cost you job and your ability…

I am trying to sympathize but I agree 100%. You seem to be complaining about being inconvenienced for a few hours as a result of your inability to be on-point with your profession for the few seconds that it matters most during your re-entry to the country. The world is full NOT bright people. You can't really expect them to know the difference between software and web developer. You just need to solve for that and make sure you make it easy for them to let you back in.

Re: Another awesome US immigration experience

#205

Post by bambax »

robryan wrote: post #188
bambax wrote: post #180

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Borders are bad Then why do you live in a country that has borders? As per your own policy, you should be in a boat somewhere in international waters.

Things like this seem to come up often on HN. Why can't we speak out against a system while participating in it for lack of a better alternative currently?

You certainly can; that's what the OP is doing; but the parent says you shouldn't. I'm just pointing out that he's not really living by his word, contrary to what he says.

Re: Another awesome US immigration experience

#206

Post by seanmcdirmid »

lmm wrote: post #171
tellarin wrote: post #142

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My experience in the EU is that, even for EU citizens, the UK and (a somewhat distance second) Spain can be quite intrusive. For the rest of the EU and Switzerland, they almost never ask anything. But I definitely agree that China seems to be the "easiest" in this sense. No questions at all. :)

When I crossed over from Kazakhstan into China I got the most thorough luggage search I've ever had (never been to the US). Everything taken apart and went through; I was carrying the card game Citadels and had to struggle a little to explain what it was (my fault - I speak neither Kazakh or Russian nor Chinese, he spoke a little English). It was all very professional and courteous, and actually over quite quickly, b…

I've only ever had my luggage searched at customs in the states...multiple times, very thorough. I think they were looking for pirated DVDs or something.

Re: Another awesome US immigration experience

#207

Post by lmm »

seanmcdirmid wrote: post #206
lmm wrote: post #171

Earlier quoted context omitted.

When I crossed over from Kazakhstan into China I got the most thorough luggage search I've ever had (never been to the US). Everything taken apart and went through; I was carrying the card game Citadels and had to struggle a little to explain what it was (my fault - I speak neither Kazakh or Russian nor Chinese, he spoke a little English). It was all very professional and courteous, and actually over quite quickly, b…

I've only ever had my luggage searched at customs in the states...multiple times, very thorough. I think they were looking for pirated DVDs or something.

With my nonexistent grasp of the flows of illegal goods I guessed Kazakhstan-China was a heroin route, but I really have no idea.

Re: Another awesome US immigration experience

#208

Post by yardie »

jwr wrote: post #123
mdasen wrote: post #75

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I understand the argument you're making. From the perspective of the United States, they don't need to care unless it adversely affects the United States. As such, the US can make whatever immigration it wants and it writes its own destiny and people can take it or leave it much like many offerings we see in life from companies, other people, etc. If a company is putting onerous conditions on its product, we'll switc…

Actually, United States citizenship doesn't necessarily solve the problem. I have a dual citizenship, so I can compare entry procedures. I was always baffled when US immigration asks me questions about what work I do or where I'm headed when I'm entering the country. I couldn't see how it was any of their business. In most (if not all) of the EU, an immigration officer being presented a native passport has exactly tw…

I also get this as US Citizen and there is nothing stopping you from entering the US except your patience. You could refuse to answer and then be detained for further interrogation. but eventually they'll have to let you go. Most people, myself included, have an event to attend or plane to catch so we answer to get it over with, quickly.

One time I was going to a wedding and I didn't know where it was because my family sent a cab to take me to the hotel. Border guard told me to go to the payphone (hadn't used one in years) and get the address. I complied then asked her what was preventing me from walking out the airport. She told me absolutely nothing. Although I imagine some information would probably be enterred in the USCIS database.

Re: Another awesome US immigration experience

#209

Post by refurb »

jwr wrote: post #123
mdasen wrote: post #75

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I understand the argument you're making. From the perspective of the United States, they don't need to care unless it adversely affects the United States. As such, the US can make whatever immigration it wants and it writes its own destiny and people can take it or leave it much like many offerings we see in life from companies, other people, etc. If a company is putting onerous conditions on its product, we'll switc…

Actually, United States citizenship doesn't necessarily solve the problem. I have a dual citizenship, so I can compare entry procedures. I was always baffled when US immigration asks me questions about what work I do or where I'm headed when I'm entering the country. I couldn't see how it was any of their business. In most (if not all) of the EU, an immigration officer being presented a native passport has exactly tw…

This isn't unique to the US. In the 5 years I had my green card, I received the best service from the USCIS and the worst from Canadian customs (despite being a citizen).

Re: Another awesome US immigration experience

#210

Post by fduran »

mdasen wrote: post #89
jacquesm wrote: post #78

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you feel like levelling the playing field a bit with respect to your accidents of birth then I'm quite sure that those countries would be happy to strike you from their registers if you asked nicely. On the other hand, since you were given this for free and it wasn't your fault you might as well enjoy the privilege. Personally I think all immigration controls should be abolished. The world will be hell for about a…

I'm somewhat of the feeling of the second paragraph. However, in some ways it is happening in the EU. As the EU enlarges, it generally creates a larger area of free travel/work/residence. Heck, if the US and Canada opened up immigration 100%, there wouldn't be hell because the countries are pretty similar. Some might prefer Canada or the US, but it would likely be generally equivalent. In those cases, I guess I don't…

Many people (like myself) don't consider the US and Canada "pretty similar/equivalent".
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