US to tighten visa restrictions

[dipsydoodle]

Source: BBC News

The US is to tighten visa restrictions to allow it to screen all short-term visitors from Japan and Western Europe.

US Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said visitors to the US who do not need visas will be required to register with the government online.

>

A Homeland Security spokesman said the new registrations would require the same information as the I-94 card, which is currently filled out by visitors to the US and turned in to customs on arrival in the country.

That information includes passport number, country of residence, and any involvement in terror activities.



Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7434374.stm

---

"and any involvement in terror activities" - presumably that's anyone not eligible to vote in the USA but who would've voted for The Boy Blunder had they been able to do so.

[PDJane]

1. It's official.

The lunatics are running the world...or at least the USA.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

2. fill in a form advising if they are terrorists?

tell me, DID I JUST READ THAT RIGHT?

of all the stupid, mother f**** $*#(*&$# #$OIU !@#O)IU( &*( *$*$ IDIOTIC @#(* mrrufhscrufrhutioeioihb IDEAS!

[dipsydoodle]

9. The same form asks

if you've ever kidnapped a child from the USA and do you intend to help overthrow the government of the USA.

[harmonicon]

10. yep

I live in the UK, and just had to renew my visa. One of the sections asks if you've ever been a terrorist or supported terrorists. Nuts, huh?

[Sultana]

24. ...

:rofl:

[B3Nut]

19. As if a real terrorist would actually answer yes!

ROFLMAO!!!!!!! That reminds me of the civil service exams I took many many years ago...at the end, there were pages with nothing on them except "THIS PAGE IS BLANK." in the center of the page. Of course, the page wasn't actually blank, it had "THIS PAGE IS BLANK." in the middle! :D

I know they officially have to ask those questions, but that does not mitigate their laughable ridiculousness one bit...

[primavera]

20. Can't you just see Osama bin Laden trying to sneak into the country...

... then confronting this question on the form: "Curses! Foiled again! I have to answer whether I'm a terrorist? These Americans are too clever for me! Damn, now I have to go back to hiding in that blasted cave in Pakistan!"

[Tempest]

3. Unless you're from India

80% increase in US visas for Indians
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x363618

[cosmicone]

5. This is not the same thing

Indians are not subject to the visa waiver program like the Japanese, Australians and Western Europeans are. Indians have to apply months in advance at a consulate, have to appear for a personal interview and undergo background checks before a visa is issued. About 36% are turned down for a US visa.

Japanese and Western Europeans can arrive without a visa and are allowed entry. Indians aren't even allowed to board a plane without a valid visa in the passport -- and even after all this, they are fingerprinted and photographed!! The Japanese/Australians/Western Europeans are not fingerprinted and photographed.

[truebrit71]

7. Um yes they are fingerprinted....upon entry to the US...

..

[14thColony]

8. I am sorry to point out that your very last sentence is in error

Even people entering on the Visa Waiver Program must be recorded by US-VISIT - fingerprints and photos for them as well. For this reason my dual-national girlfriend always enters on her US passport whenever we visit the United States.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/3595221.stm

[matt007]

4. incompetent xenophobes

damn i cant wait till these people are out of office

[Diclotican]

6. edwardlindy

edwardlindy

Hm if this is true, the US are not that welcome anymore to outside visitors.. Look more and more like USSR.. But even the USSR wanted visitors, to se the "wonders of socialism" that was:eyes:

When US are going overboard, they are really going overboard... And with this US is indeed going overboard.. Off course you have the right to defend yourself against evildoers (not my word!) but when you are doing this with friends, allied country's and it like.. Then it is not defending yourself but pure paranoia...

And as an terrorist would admit that he wanted to tell that he was involved in terror activities:sarcasm: Silly americans... Or, to the point silly government.. Do everyone really believe that US would manage to fight terrorism, when you treat legitimate visitors to US as they was criminals?.. Or would be terrorist? Even the low dollar would not be enough to encourage me to visit your country, when you are bee treated like this... Better to save my dollar, and wist other, more friendly parts of the world. Like Yekaterinburg Russia... The Russians border guards is maybe strict, but if you treat them with respect, them would treat you with respect... I am not that sure about the border agents of US of A anymore...

Diclotican

Sorry my bad english, not my native language.

[Bush_MUST_Go]

11. What would happen if on one day every visitor answered YES? (I'm a terrorist)

How long would it take for DHS to realize HOW stupid & unhelpful that question is?

What a joke.

[Diclotican]

16. Bush_MUST_Go

Bush_MUST_Go

Good questing.. Have no clue. But I have the feeling that the DHS would go up in flames. It is a silly question, and no terrorist in their right mind would answer yes to something like that...

But when it come to outright stupidity the US government, and the agencies who are there to official protect americans, no deep is deep enough I guess..

If you visit country like Russia you at least know, or expect to get a cold welcome and they have a old habit of been very strict.. But when US doing something like that.. You don't expect them to be that... Sorry to say it, but as long as your security services behave like TSA and DHS, it would be more and more foreigner who would find other places to visit... As my foster mother say after she was coming home from a wisit to the US.. Even the old eastern european border guards was not that bad behavior.. And at one point the whole group she was with was almost kicked out of the country?. Why?. Because the Airport don't have the equipment to scan their brand new electronic reading passport.. The same passport US government was pushing everyone else to have, if they wanted to visit US at all....

Yes it is definitely a joke.. But a tragically yoke...

Diclotican

Sorry my bad english, not my native language

[Mnemosyne]

17. Thanks to Halliburton/KBR/..., they could arrest every single terr, er, visitor

that day and give them a nice place at the "camps" with all the children they detain illegally and inhumanely.


This is a 2004 article and as best I can find, nothing has changed.


"Why am I here?" Children in Immigration Detention

http://www.amnestyusa.org/refugee/usa_children_summary.html

According to the INS, the number of unaccompanied children detained in the United States has more than doubled over the last five years, rising from 2,375 in 1997 to 5,385 in 2001. On any given day, it is estimated that 500 children are held in US immigration detention. Escaping political persecution or fleeing war, abusive families or other dangerous conditions in their home countries, these children -- ranging in age from toddlers to teenagers -- arrive in the US unaccompanied by their parents or legal guardians. Once US immigration authorities take them into custody, approximately one-third are detained in harsh conditions in secure, jail-like facilities designed for juvenile offenders.

snip>

It is important to note that these children are held in detention for administrative reasons, not as punishment for criminal behavior. They are not charged with any crime, but are often held for months or even years in punitive conditions pending resolution of their immigration status. Unaccompanied children have little choice in the decisions that lead to these predicaments, but they do have special rights that are guaranteed under international laws and standards.

snip>

Moreover, many children spend months or even years in detention -- even though relatives or other appropriate adults are willing to take care of them, an arrangement that is permissible and even preferable according to U.S. standards governing the treatment of unaccompanied minors. These standards' criteria are ignored, as immigration authorities often fail to ensure the timely release of children.

snip>

** Since the completion of "'Why Am I Here?' Children in Immigration Detention," the Unaccompanied Alien Child Protection Act (S. 1129 ) was introduced by Senator Diane Feinstein. The Act provides that children may be given guardians ad litem ("friends of the child") and be guaranteed legal representation via a network of pro bono or, as a last resort, government-supplied lawyers. The act also would prohibit non-criminal unaccompanied children from being detained with juvenile offenders and require detention facilities to provide education, medical (including mental health) care, and access to telephones and interpreters. Amnesty International is encouraging the passage of this act as part of the organization's campaigning around this report.

http://www.amnestyusa.org/refugee/usa_children_summary.html





S. 1129 <108th>: Unaccompanied Alien Child Protection Act of 2004

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s108-1129

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/amendment.xpd?session=108&amdt=s4058

[Diclotican]

21. vickiss

vickiss

Guess the word who are written on the State of Liberty are not something that the INS, or other government want to use anymore.. If just enough people understand that they are not welcome in the US anymore, maybe they can try fix what is wrong in their own country.. Even if it means less and less emigrates, and visitors to the US... I would visit a country where I can be put in prison, because the INS just don't like my face, Or believe me to be an terrorist...

Sorry to say it, but your "security apparatus" is acting WORSE than everything the USSR and the Eastern block could possible manage to put up... The land of the free... Not anymore.. US looks like worse than under the Stalin era in Soviet union.. And that was not a friendly place to be for a visitor who have not the official badge of welcome...

But,they maybe want it this way, that the rest of the world are not visiting US anymore.. It exist many places who are exciting to visit, but who don't treat their visitors as potential terrorist... Heavens sake, even North Korea are treating their visitors with little respekt... If they just ask question that is... But here in the Land of the Free, you ca be put into a "gulag" just because you are a kid... When have a children been that dangerous?

Diclotican

Sorry my bad english, not my native language

[Mnemosyne]

23. Diclotican, I have never been so ashamed of this country, and it is

only getting worse all the time. The rest of the world sees this, unfortunately too many here do not. They are easily distracted and selfish, if it doesn't affect them, they simply do not care.

I cannot begin to count how many times I have been called a traitor in the last 5 years for speaking out and actions against the US occupation/annihilation of Iraq and Afghanistan. I have been run off the road for my bumper stickers, flipped off innumerable times and I've even had a drunk in my drive-way screaming and cussing at me for my yard signs.

I've lost some very dear friends that are military over this also. Three from one friend's family over there now. I have family members that I haven't spoken to in several years due to their support of the current regime's actions. They hate me because I give them the truth and as FAUX news addicts, they do not want to hear it.

To know that they are holding innocent children the age of my grandson, 7 years, in such conditions is beyond heart-wrenching and infuriating. It seems that there is no one in power listening to any of the calls, letters and protests of 'We the People'.

The US will pay one day for all of the terror we have spread. I only hope it happens soon enough to stop total annihilation of life on this planet.

I am so ashamed of my country. Please know that there are those of us trying very hard to awaken the apathetic masses.

Peace to you,

V

[Diclotican]

25. vickiss

vickiss

I feel sorry for your loss. That you have been losing friends, and member of your family over this. This regime for your, have destroyed to much as it is, and hopefully it would be an wake up calls for all american, when the regime of Bush are out, and in prison... And that your family member who doesn't want to talk to you, because of your um, unsupported for the regime of mr Bush are coming around.. Even the must ignorant group of people must understand that this regime who have been in place for the last 7-8 year have not doing US some ting good.. Rather the opposite.. I had Fox on the network some time after 9/11, it was on another channel who was off air between 01:00 and 06:00. But I have to say Fox news was just to "american" to me.. What a silly, silly excuse for a newshannel.. CNN was much better to send information, even that I liked BBC world service better...

To be run off the road because of a bumpersticker... That is just stupid if you ask me... What about the free speech that every american are entitled to, even if it means the opposite that the other gay/woman feel is the true?.. Even if US are in war, a chosen war not a war you just have to fight because US are in danger.. You have the _duty_ to think for yourself even if your country are in war... And I think you are thinking for yourself better than many of your countrymen are doing it...

To be honest, you are not a traitor, to the US republic. You are maybe a real american patriot, red white and blue... An Patriot have the duty, to stand up, for what the person are feeling right, and to fight for that.. If enough american just would do that, then in many cases this regime of your, would be tearn down, as the wall in Berlin was in 1989...

I have no children of my own, yet it is.. But I would feel ashamed if I know that in my country's name, we would send children, as young as the age 7 to prison, not because they have been doing some criminal, but just because the government want them to be there... And that many american are not willing to see what damage have been doing, in their name is just horrible... And sad because once in the times US was standing for something the rest of the world would dearly wanted... But the US are not standing for that anymore, even that the officially words is what it always have been....

The US will pay one day for what they are doing today.. US have been pushing the boundary for what you can get without some want to get even... And US have to yet to discover that the rest of the world are not that happy about the treatment anymore.. WE as the human race would just hope that in time, it would not be that US are to be punished for hard... Like the german after WW1...

I hope in just time, that the american public would manage to get their act together, and are waking up to the reality they have today.. United States are not what they once was. And have to fix what is wrong.. If they are not, the whole system could brake down into a extreme dangerous coctail... US have been doing the right before.. US can do the right now too. Even if it would cost america a lot to do it... I just want you in US to do the right thing... Turn the ship around, and get the soldiers in Iraq home... And work together with your friends and allied to fix what US have been doing wrong...

I know it is many out there in US who are doing many thing, and working hard to awake a rather apathetic mass.. And I know that many american are waking up, to a rather angry tone where mr Bush and Co are not acutely their friends... I have still hope for your country, and for the people who live there.. But I do fear that it would cost US a lot, before US are finally waking up, to what is wrong... And do something about it... The dam Right Wing TV channels have just killed american curiosity if you ask me.. When american Idol are the most important thing on the air, something is REALLY wrong in the country if you ask me...

Peace and prosperity to you to Vick, and I hope that one day America would be that good country it once was.. And are again welcome their visitors, with a great smile, instead of a angry grin on heir face... I miss the old US.. But I know it can come back in some way or another... And stronger and better than ever... But more humble..

Diclotican

Sorry my bad english, not my native language

[Lydia Leftcoast]

12. This is as stupid as what happened when I was applying for colleges 40 years ago

One of them had a line on the application asking, "Are you or have you ever been a member of the Communist Party or one of the following Communist front organizations?"

One of the "Communist front" organizations listed was the Abraham Lincoln Brigade, a group of Americans who went to Spain during the Spanish Civil War (in the 1930s) to fight against Franco's brand of fascism. I remember that one in particular, because I didn't know what it was at the time and had to look it up.

In any case, if someone WERE a terrorist, say a homegrown Islamic terrorist from the U.K. or North Korean trying to pass as Japanese, does the INS actually think that they would admit it on a form? :wtf:

[rucognizant]

13. Really Swell!

I live in a tourist economy..........
Now Americans can't afford the gas to visit this summer, and we're discouraging foreign visitors who MIGHT want to come here and spend euros since they are worth so much more than the dollar!

[AndyTiedye]

15. The Bush** Regime Doesn't Care. Foreign Tourists Don't Visit Red States so Much

[treestar]

22. Exactly! This kind of crap hurts much more than it helps anything

As to preventing terrorist attacks, it is useless.

[defendandprotect]

14. Another bunch of stuff that the Democrats are going to have to reverse . . .

[depakid]

18. Yet another reason why tourism will continue its downward trend

despite the record low dollar.