Homeland security

[hamish]

Did anyone see the programme on ITV (8pm tonight) about airport security in the USA.

[chrizzy100]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by hamish
Did anyone see the programme on ITV (8pm tonight) about airport security in the USA.

[/quote]

OK everyone...who is going to write an essay about it......all of us over here want to know what was said.........

[hamish]

The programme stated that in the past year or so , over 150 visitors from the UK had been arrested manacled/chained and kept in custody , without acess to legal council or food and water, for up to 28 hours and then deported back to the UK.
The one outstanding case, was a guy who it was said had overstayed his visa by 1xmonth, on his last visit to the USA.
He said that he could prove he was back in the UK when they stated he was still in the USA.if they would only contact his firm in the UK.
They said he was only allowed to phone the UK consulate.(which he did) and they advised him to co-operate with the officials and that they could not get involved.
He stated, "after 28 hours of humiliation i was told the interview was over, no evidence was provided, no explanation given and i was sent back to the UK the following day."
The programme stated,"He will not be allowed into the USA again and when we asked the department for homeland security, for an explanation to this and many other cases, we were told it was a matter of security."
The programme has spoken to the British foriegn office, who stated,
that they were holding discussions with there counterparts in the USA and have been told that handcuffs and shackles will not be used in future, on minor infringement cases.

I have been to the USA on many occasions i love the place and the people.
I also felt the horror and sadness of 9/11 and my heart went out to
them.
They have every right to protect there borders and i support them fully in this, my only hope is that common sense will prevail in this matter.

[Nostromo]

I agree that the above case sounds cruel, but from the abrupt manner of the US authorities and the lack of support from the UK Consulate, it seems very likely that the person was arrested in the first place following a tip off from the UK officials. I have heard that such things happen and in almost all cases there is more to it that appears on the surface.

[Cruella DeVilla]

Millions of us travel to the USA a year, I think they said they had had 100 complainst?
Problem is you have to keep your mouth shut when you feel like yelling at them as they hold all the cards.

[flyrr100]

Just remember three phrases. Yes Sir, No Sir, and Thank You Sir. Here in the US anyone who wears a uniform is addressed as Sir. Like it or not. The cop who is writing you a ticket, the immigration official who is deciding weather he want's you in his country. The TSA guy who is sifting through your underwear. All Sir
Have a great vacation.

[Nostromo]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by flyrr100
Just remember three phrases. Yes Sir, No Sir, and Thank You Sir. Here in the US anyone who wears a uniform is addressed as Sir. Like it or not. The cop who is writing you a ticket, the immigration official who is deciding weather he want's you in his country. The TSA guy who is sifting through your underwear. All Sir
Have a great vacation.

[/quote]

Er..what if the TSA 'guy' is really a TSA 'gal'? They all wear tousers in the US, don't they? One might land up in even more trouble by addressing her 'sir'.

[Calamity Jane]

Its usually Ma'am, just out of repect.

[jolliffee]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by flyrr100
Just remember three phrases. Yes Sir, No Sir, and Thank You Sir. Here in the US anyone who wears a uniform is addressed as Sir. Like it or not. The cop who is writing you a ticket, the immigration official who is deciding weather he want's you in his country. The TSA guy who is sifting through your underwear. All Sir
Have a great vacation.

[/quote]

Without a doubt this is the best piece of advice re this subject; you may not like it just do it. I started travelling to the US in the early 70’s (72 I think), and have been in the immigration sin bin three times, all of them my fault. I am sure that because I was very polite and addressed the officials with respect, allowed me to get out of there, with them being courteous and professional in return. When I was speeding and got pulled over, again I was courteous and polite, the officer remarked how good my brakes were, and that he was sure I was doing 90 instead of the 80 he had clocked me at, we had a nice natter but he still gave me a ticket…[msnsmile2]

[adh619]

CDV is right !!