appalling treatment at checkpoint

[globocentri 2]

I hold a ten year B visa and I was absolutely appalled at the way I was treated at JFK airport. I was taken to secondary inspection for no reason whatsoever. I have travelled to at least 30 coutries and have made multiple trips to Europe without visas. In fact I was in London the week before. I was only asked one question by the UK border protection agency although I entered without a visa. My passport was issued a year ago and close to 30 pages have been stamped. There is no reason whatsoever to suspect that I was coming to US to overstay. You dont need a 5 year old kid to tell you that. Ive made 5 trips to the US previously and have never overstayed.

The ordeal in the holding area was shocking. It turned into a shouting match at the end. I was asked to wait and I had to argue with at least 5 officers before a supervisor intervened and apologized to me. he didnt asked me to produce anything (return tickets, hotel) etc and just apologized. It was the clearest sign that I shouldnt even been bought there. I wasted one hour in there in total which included veiled threats to physically assualt me. I attribute my treatment to harrasment and I am seriouly contemplating suing the agency.

The US immigration has not kept pace with economic realities and US unfortunately is no longer the place that people cannot afford not to visit. That may be true as recently as five years ago and the title has now gone to China as far as people are concerned. The US should have more respect for tourits or business travellers who are increasingly becoming an economic lifeline for their economy. It is by no means a goldmine in which people are willing to put up with anything to have the privilage of entering(the opposite in fact). In fact, Asians are keeping them afloat by continuing the purchase of their junk bonds. It should be last page everyone should visit now.

[Boiler 46,013]

Sadly the UK Border Agency is a bit of a joke.

Not their fault though, I blame the Politicians.

[globocentri 2]

The US Immigration is the biggest joke now.

[Boiler 46,013]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/immigration/8850878/Thousands-of-foreign-criminals-still-in-UK-despite-deportation-orders.html

Read all about it.

Sad, but a regular theme.

[Harsh_77 718]

Dude you can sue the agency… nothing is going to happen so calm your horses down you are no VIP coz you have been to 30 countries and coz UK immigration does not ask you any question.

Its upto agency in UK to protect their border and if they are not doing their job right then its their thing.

Just having been travelled all over the world does not mean you should get a royal treatment and should never be pulled into secondary.

People are pulled into secondary for various reasons it can be from officer suspecting you drug trafficking to someone who might over stay their visa.

[globocentri 2]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/immigration/8850878/Thousands-of-foreign-criminals-still-in-UK-despite-deportation-orders.html

Read all about it.

Sad, but a regular theme.

All countries have foreign criminals including the US and this is not a justification for treating foreigners maybe in your case non whites with disrespect. The economic cost of potraying an unwelcome image is not something that any country can afford to do nowadays in a globalized world. It is easy to scapegoap foreigners that look different xenophobia gets you nowhere nowadays.

[skiptex 225]

no kidding.. why argue.. do what ever you are requested.. be nice then get on your way..

[globocentri 2]

Dude you can sue the agency… nothing is going to happen so calm your horses down you are no VIP coz you have been to 30 countries and coz UK immigration does not ask you any question.

Its upto agency in UK to protect their border and if they are not doing their job right then its their thing.

Just having been travelled all over the world does not mean you should get a royal treatment and should never be pulled into secondary.

People are pulled into secondary for various reasons it can be from officer suspecting you drug trafficking to someone who might over stay their visa.

Immigration not pulling me aside means they are not doing their job right? The UK immigration was smart enough to exercise common sense. Only someone who has no common sense will believe that someone that has been to 30 countries is going to overstay in . It is no means royal treatment. All travellers deserve to be treated with respect.

[AmyWrites 593]

I agree with you on all points, but I must at your idea of suing the agency.

It's their choice who to question. How often they screw up, which I'm sure is very very often, is their choice. You can't do anything about it, since you have no inherent right to enter the US. I hope one day it'll be a "perfect system" where only truly deserving people get the extra questioning and so on, but I doubt this'll ever happen.

[Boiler 46,013]

Interesting.

I have been to more than 30 countries AND I have been to secondary in the US 3 times.

Can I sue?

[damulag 26]

30 Countries looking for terrorist targets?

[Anh map 2,098]

Immigration not pulling me aside means they are not doing their job right? The UK immigration was smart enough to exercise common sense. Only someone who has no common sense will believe that someone that has been to 30 countries is going to overstay in . It is no means royal treatment. All travellers deserve to be treated with respect.

You seem be to stating that you shouldn't be subject to the same rules as others because you travel a lot? I would counter with the fact that you do travel a lot makes you well aware of all aspects of travel.

Our elevated statuses with the airlines and hotels doesn't mean anything with the security and border control staffs around the world. Best to simply endure the random checks and pull asides.

Yes, it's inconvenient. Ranting and raving doesn't make things move any faster. Showing disdain for the person talking with you seems counter productive.

Edited October 27, 2011 by Anh map

[MalaysianGirl 26]

To OP: Sorry that you had to go through that . If I were you I'd be angry, too. I'm just glad I never received that sort of treatment at Chicago's O'Hare Airport... I would probably have been terrified in my case.

[Harsh_77 718]

Immigration not pulling me aside means they are not doing their job right? The UK immigration was smart enough to exercise common sense. Only someone who has no common sense will believe that someone that has been to 30 countries is going to overstay in . It is no means royal treatment. All travellers deserve to be treated with respect.

Your argument does not take you anywhere as per your logic TSA should not even look at me coz i fly every week.... lol

Thats the problem as soon as you see ppl did not agree you started bringing race and color into the topic, no one knew your race or color from your first post.

Soon you saw you go no favorable response you started bring you got pulled coz of the race.

[Boiler 46,013]

So no Class Action?