Another grim Australian tale. Itās not positive.
Guy
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It is to be noted that this - being turned away at the boarder of the US - has always been known as a possibility for us non-US citizens. They made sure to always tell that a visa / ESTA does not mean permission to enter the US. The ultimate decision is always in the hands of the officer at the border.
Anecdotally story: A former colleague of mine wanted to attend a conference for work in the US (on ESTA) and his English wasnāt particularly good. Still enough that he could have probably followed the contents - but bad enough that when asked about his intent for coming to the US he simply stated āI come here to workā. Denied entry and sent back on the next flight. Happened many years ago - before Trump.
And even then, our company advised us that if we refuse to get electronic devices searched, we would probably also getting denied entry. All those constitutional rights the US always prides itself for do not apply to non-citizens at the border.
What seems to be changing these days, though, is that the border guard seems to get stricter - and in some case more arbitrary. Could be that they have quotas to fulfill or are even advised to be more aggressive in denying entry.
And there are cases of people getting detained instead of simply being refused entry.
Probably still only a very small number of cases compared to the number of travelers regularly entering the US every day - but still something that letās me reconsider choosing the US as vacation destinations or even a stopover locationā¦
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The Australian send back at JFK does not have any issues with English. His brief letter posted above is exceptionally well written. He also had a clear purpose: fly into the US in order to catch a cruise departing in Florida. He didnāt catch that cruise, and I suspect he will not be booking any such holiday excursions in and out of the US any time in the foreseeable future.
What exactly did the US gain from this incident? Showing they are big and tough? Teaching Australians not to trust them? Damaging their tourist industry? Already Canadians and many Europeans are staying away in droves. It seems the US want to ensure that folks from down under get the message too.
Guy
I doubt the US was trying to gain anything. The sort of people who work for Border Control, and ICE, enjoy the opportunity to behave like this and have now been given free rein to do so. Theyāre doing their jobs very well.
Nothing illegal about it, AFAIK, just a clear reminder never to visit the USA. Iāve done a week in Las Vegas, so I can check it off my bucket list.
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I like Americans, but this broad policy of harassing / detaining / refusing entry to visitors is indeed an valuable reminder to spend my hard earned cash at places where I am welcome, including in Japan which is also far far better value than the US is right now.
Guy
2 Likes
Yeah, this.
Vegas aināt America. Itās more where America gave up.
I am pretty confident he had a good time. I am also quite certain he would have spent a fair amount of cash.
Now compare that to the experiences of the Australians noted above.
Guy
Itās the only data point I have.
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Iām sure itās good enough for some people!
Try again some day. Might I suggest a place with natural trees and grass?
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Atlantic City?
Natural trees and grass, not plastic.
I grew up in San Jose/San Francisco, and that airport always had problems. Iām not surprised to hear this.
I have read worse tales, but what worries me about this Australian 's case is that he is technically just transiting, not even getting out of the airport. If they are coming for legitimate visa holders who are just transitingā¦ thatās a problem.
I have options aside from going through the US but this adds costs and time to an already long trip. Sigh.
We just got back from the US. My partner being Italian had no issues like pretty much everyone coming into the states.
Broad policy?
I suspect these incidents have always happened but itās just gaining media attention now. These things happen everywhere and in every country, boarder control usually has the power to deny entry without explanation or an appeal process.
This feels like more of an emotional response at this point. People are still coming in and out of the US with no issues. There is no unwelcoming situation at all when you come.
I presume you may have skipped the letter posted above from the Australian who was denied entry at JFK. That letter refers to the executive directive signed by DJT on January 25 on āenhanced vetting.ā So yeah, itās part of the current administrationās broader policy, with border agency workers at IAH reportedly telling the other Australian who was denied entry to the US: āTrump is back in town.ā
Guy
US border patrol is broadly more unfriendly and unwelcoming compared to most other places Iāve been, even before the recent ramp up. And thatās as an US citizen.
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I read over it and it pretty much just reiterates and reinforces systems that already exist. And itās not relevant to the Australian if heās not being suspected of terrorism. The enhanced vetting mostly has language that targets places that donāt collect or share information with the US about terrorism and I donāt think Australia is one of them.
Is there an uptick on incidents of the US border control exercising their powers more? maybe. But I doubt itās as much as the perceived risk growing from the media and countries trying to paint it as a risk. Itās always happened.
I have heard these horror stories happening long before Trump. Remember I was once not a citizen and weāve been warned of how boarder control works by an immigration lawyer as weāve planned our path towards citizenship.
I would say 9/11 changed things far more than Trump did.
Iāve found some ports of entry are far more intimidating. LAX and JFK being the more serious and questioning.
But I generally agree with your assessment. The UK and Australia are the only comparable from my experience. I was questioned entering the UK on a student visa about working. They seem to be really concerned about illegal working. Even now when I come with my Taiwan passport they always ask me about working. US passport just uses the machine so i tend to use that unless the line is shorter using the Taiwan passport.
Australia is super strict about anything you bring. I had to issue a warning to my clients about one of my products that contained GBL which is useful as a solvent but itās a precursor to the drug GHB. Most countries understand its use as a solvent and itās allowed if mixed together with other chemicals but Australia doesnāt allow it under any circumstances.