Why do Americans have to fill out an Immigration card?

Question

upon their arrival in England?
I am an American. I hold an American passport. I shouldn've have to fill out anything.
Anyone who holds an American passport - Indian, Chinese, French, Spanish - should be an exception to this rule.
Why do we have to fill out your useless card?

Answer 1

All non UK passport holders have to fill in a landing card.

Hey -- you should try entering the US with a UK passport and see what sort of 'friendly' welcome you get.

And when you enter the UK you don't have to list all your purchases and their prices for customs, unlike you have to do (yes even US passport holders) for US customs.

Just be grateful you don't need a visa, as UK citizens do when entering the US, or the visa waiver form with its 'have you ever been a nazi or mass murderer' questions.

Answer 2

First of all, I apologise for the rude British people who have posted here. I am an American who has lived in London for many years. You need to fill in an immigration card because it helps track your progress in and out of the country. In other words, it ensures that you check in, and, more importantly, that you check out. Since the UK has a generous welfare system, many less fortunate and poorer countries have people who wish to get into the UK to take advantage of its social benefits. Unlike the USA, healthcare is the UK is, for the most part, free. Also, for you information, when you fill in the immigration card, you fill in a postal code. This ensures where the card will be stored--at the local police station which corresponds with the postcode. This is important to Immigration to keep track of where temporary visitors are located.

Answer 3

I'm American and I live in England. I always have to fill out the card, too, when we come back from travelling... But it takes like 20 seconds to do it, so I've never even thought about it as a problem. Stop being so rigid!

Answer 4

I would think that in this day and age, anyone with nothing to hide would not question the things that are done to ensure our countries' freedom and safety, be it the US, UK or wherever. Just think, in a few years, travelling between countries will be alot harder than it is now. Really, we all should be more grateful, respectful and kind. W T F?

Answer 5

Because you're a foreigner in the UK, that's why. Stop being so arrogant, ignorant, and childish and get with the program.

American citizens aren't citizens in every country, nor should they be. It's Americans like you who give our country a bad name in other countries and make me ashamed to call myself an American.

Answer 6

fullmassagebear - how dare you think you can apologise for the comments by the British! I rather think you (as an American) should be apologising to us for your compatriots idiotic question.

OP - The US fingerprints foreign visitors like common criminals so be grateful all you have to do is fill in a card!

Answer 7

Its called rules friend, you follow them if you want to come to our country.

A question back.

Why do British citizens have to be scanned, security checked, have the baggage rummaged through and tagged when entering the US.

Double standards friend. Like it or lump it

Answer 8

Be glad that you're not treated the way foreigners are treated when they arrive in the US.
Or what would you say if you had to leave your fingerprints at immigration?

Answer 9

uh.... may because it's another country?

I hope your question was a joke. If not, you need to get a broader outlook....

Answer 10

Because We're NOT FROM ENGLAND!