The many replies i got from Americans was for the most part quite rude and not caring. They said many of them ....well you if you dont want to come here and put up with these immigration procedures then to hell with you ...go some where else !
WHAT YOU AMERICANS READING THIS QUESTION DO NOT REALIZE ....IS THAT YOU ARE LOOSING TOURISTS AND MANY AMERICAN DOLLARS AS A RESULT OF YOUR IMMIGRATION PROCEDURES.
NO ONE IS SAYING DO NOT HAVE STRICT IMMIGRATION PROCEDURES......BUT WHAT WE HAVE A PROBELM WITH IS THE WAY IN WHICH YOUR IMMIGRATION OFFICERS' BEHAVIOUR TOWARDS FOREIGN VISITORS.
MANY OTHER COUNTRIES HAVE HAD TERRORIST ATTACKS SINCE 9/11......NAMELY SPAIN AND YES BRITAIN.
bUT WHY IS IT THAT OUR IMMIGRATION STAFF DO NOT TREAT FOREIGN VISITORS LIKE THIS? ANSWER THIS ??????
It has to be said that if your beloved US immigration officers were doing their jobs properly 9/11 would have never happened.
NO USE CRYING OVER SPILT MILK!
2006-09-09 06:43:52 · 19 answers · asked by World Traveler 1 in Travel ➔ United States ➔ Other - United States
I think the difference between the procedures of european countries (such as Spain and the Britain) and the U.S. is that the U.S. has not really experienced terrorist attacks within the country and on U.S. soil. There have been a number of attacks in the U.S., such as the first bombing of the WTC and the Oklahoma bombings, but nothing to the extent of 9/11. The U.S. is still coping with the idea of being directly attacked within our own borders, whereas I think (in my opinion) Europeans have more experience in this realm, and subsequently, responding to such attacks. As such, I think the U.S. is still figuring it out how to take security measures to prevent further such attacks, while still allowing people from other countries to visit. It is hard for me to judge the attitude of US immigration officers since I am an American, though I must admit that sometimes I even feel intimidated by them when I come back into the country even though I have no reason to be.
On another note, I hope that you do have a chance to visit the U.S. and haven't been turned off by other comments. I also hope you have a good trip and enjoy visiting the U.S. I know I enjoyed every trip I made outside of the U.S. and always look forward to the next trip overseas.
2006-09-09 06:58:31 · answer #1 · answered by Hidden 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Careful dude I am English but have Emmigrated to America and some things are a pain in the butt for even Americans.
This Country is Very Large and isolated from the rest of the world .
Preventive measures for doing anything is not easy for any country.
Problem is ? Due to the size of America it is 10x as hard to prevent while being a lot more vulnerable.
The 911 comment was not a good move on your part.
Getting over it , will never happen. Comments like that only show how much you really care about yourself before others.
2006-09-09 08:58:03 · answer #2 · answered by grainy33 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Guess again, jerk. I'm an American, living and working in Britain. I have all my valid papers yet am GRILLED everytime I re-enter the country as if I'm a criminal. I'm a middle aged white woman who works in kids tv. Yeah, I'm a real threat. What YOU don't seem to understand is that we don't care about the money America is losing due to lost tourism. That's your issue that you seem to care about. We care about lost lives.
Every country has different procedures for entering their country. Ever been on El Al? Try flying to Israel and see what real immigration officers act like. And as for our immigration officers doing their jobs properly, do you really think that Britain was banning little knives 5 years ago? Guess again. Now they're banning any liquids. One month ago no airline, including El Al was banning liquids.
Suck it up and realize that you're making a fool of yourself with your bigoted remarks just because you've got your knickers in a twist about a guy who stopped you at an airport and wasn't sweet and kissy with you. Grow up and enter 2006.
2006-09-09 09:17:28 · answer #3 · answered by Iknowsomestuff 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Heck, if our FBI, CIA, NSA had also done their jobs more effectively then that tragedy may very well not have happened.
As a country, I'm quite certain that we know just how many tourists are turning away, and we're okay with that. You just obviously place a higher priority on coddling your "sensitive" disposition than we do.
As for how your own Immigration staff treat foreigners, how the heck would you know? Are you a foreigner in your own country? I've been to Heathrow before, and, just as in America, there are separate lines for British and foreigners. So don't go telling me how your people treat others unless (and until) you've gone through the process yourself. Your staff manning the immigration checkpoints are both pompous and coldly civil at the same time - giving visitors to your nation the emotional equivalent of being caught in one of your near-daily icy rains.
On behalf of the USA, I implore you: go somewhere else. Perhaps the French will be willing to put up with you, as you seem to delight in railing against what is (most obviously) the USA's irrational persecution of you and yours.
(Still thinking you're a Limey Dumbass Wanker)
2006-09-09 06:55:25 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
I have been to the USA 3 times since 9/11 and yeah the immigration staff are strict but if you want to go then you have to put up with it.
2006-09-09 06:49:14 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
You find cold,rude people everywhere. You also find warm,pleasent people everywhere. I have traveled alot and been treated well for the most. Somehow it is very hard to forget those times when someone treats us with less dignity than we deserve.
I am an American; I have been treated rudely by someone in my own country as I traveled in and out of the USA a couple of times and in a few other countries as well. Sure it sucks, but no more than when a stranger is rude to me in my everyday life. Stress makes every one react in different ways. Forgive them and keep on keeping on. Life is too short to let the small things get to you.
2006-09-10 03:18:39 · answer #6 · answered by Deborah S 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"No use crying over spilt milk!"?......so you are saying we shouldn't try to keep that from happening again? Maybe you don't realise this, but on the whole America is more of a hated country (by terrorists) than Britain or Spain and are more likely to be attacked by terrorists. Chill down why don't you? If you don't have enough patience to even get into America, I don't know how you are going to survive when you get here....considering we are all just a bunch of "ignorant yanks"
And, if you get hostile questions on yahoo!answers can you blame us? Everyone on here (from foreign countries) is always going on about how stupid and horrible we are....wouldn't you get angry sometimes to?
2006-09-09 06:59:36 · answer #7 · answered by Led*Zep*Babe 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I go to america twice a year, and yes I get a bit of hassle when travelling there as I travel alone and visit friends, but for the most part, tho a little daunting, it takes about an hour of your trip and thats it, so for me its worth it.
Here is a tip when approaching the person that has to stamp your passport, look for the one that is smiling, you will find that person is not quite as harsh (tho someone from customs will usually make up for that) and just answer their questions with a smile and NO sarcasm!
2006-09-11 22:10:47 · answer #8 · answered by Fluffy1976 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The procedures in place are ever evolving. They're even freaky about liquids now, like water bottles. My advice is to take it with a smile and expect it if you're from any country outside of the U.S.. Suprisingly, Europeans and in particular the English will get a thorough once over BECAUSE of the london bombings and the recent arrests of plotters. I liken it to a hernia exam...I don't like it but it has to be done.
2006-09-09 11:58:21 · answer #9 · answered by AngloCajun 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
quit yelling. and don't group all americans, since not all of us are think the same. some of us are actually more cultured, educated, and open-minded. the same ones that take vacations outside of the united states (well, except for new york city, miami, los angeles, and san francisco, which are more accepting of everyone).
i cannot apologize for the rude replies from ignorant folks. but you have to understand that they have issues with themselves, and have to take it out on others. basic psychological profile.
and to hopefully answer your question, the procedure for visiting the US is not as difficult as it sounds.
2006-09-09 07:46:40 · answer #10 · answered by ♫ sf_ca ღ 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋