appalling treatment at checkpoint

[Scott & Annie 19]

The US Immigration is the biggest joke now.

You joined VJ yesterday just to post a rant about your "treatment"?...my God man, get a life. If you don't like the US and the fact that you may get pulled aside every now and then, then enjoy your stay and don't come back.

I'm sure that GB would love to have you back....spending your money there...or perhaps China..??

[JoannaV 174]

It's just the luck of the draw. There are other people who've entered over 30 countries with no problem but been interrogated for ages when trying to enter the UK.

If you actually received physical threats then you may indeed want to complain to someone

[raymaga 25]

Sorry to hear of your situation, but just move forward and try to dwell on the positive side!!!! Good luck.

[Moomin 292]

B visa holders don't get special treatment, period. As a matter of fact, they(CBP) have the authority to check if you're spending more time in US than what is considered ok. You have been in the US 5 times prior to this time. Overstaying isn't always the issue.

Edited October 28, 2011 by moomin

[globocentri 2]

B visa holders don't get special treatment, period. As a matter of fact, they(CBP) have the authority to check if you're spending more time in US than what is considered ok. You have been in the US 5 times prior to this time. Overstaying isn't always the issue.

This is not a question of speacial treatment and never was. In fact, I am merely saying that I should be treated in the same way as other travellers using common sense. A decision to pull people into secondary should be made objectively based on facts, not on a whim. Police do have the right to arrest anyone but what will people say if they arrest someone without reasonable suspicions. A decision to interview a foreigner traveller must be made on the basis of reasonable suspicion as well.I do know of many Europeans who have minimal or no travel history that didnt go into secondary. Ive been to many countries in Europe and my experiences with Spanish, French , Swedish and German immigration has always been pleasent with the exception of a racist officer in Poland. They didnt give me any royal treatment. They did their jobs and assessed my entry the way it should be.

In fact, the gap between that visit and my last one was quite huge. Therefore, it is not attempted visa run by any means

[globocentri 2]

You joined VJ yesterday just to post a rant about your "treatment"?...my God man, get a life. If you don't like the US and the fact that you may get pulled aside every now and then, then enjoy your stay and don't come back.

I'm sure that GB would love to have you back....spending your money there...or perhaps China..??

If you think US is god's country and maybe you are even willing to endure beatings to stay there, keep it to yourself . You do not have the right to tell me which country I should or should not visit.

[globocentri 2]

Interesting.

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

Can I sue?

Seriously? I find it impossible to believe that they will do that to A GB passport holder

[skiptex 225]

you got selected.. where is the problem.. with as much traveling as you do.. the odds are that ONE day.. you would get picked... maybe you did something that drew attention to you.. who knows.. i think you survived just fine.. maybe next time. its not good to get into shouting match with people that have guns, mace and handcuffs..

[kzielu 1,149]

This is not a question of speacial treatment and never was. In fact, I am merely saying that I should be treated in the same way as other travellers using common sense. A decision to pull people into secondary should be made objectively based on facts, not on a whim. Police do have the right to arrest anyone but what will people say if they arrest someone without reasonable suspicions. A decision to interview a foreigner traveller must be made on the basis of reasonable suspicion as well.I do know of many Europeans who have minimal or no travel history that didnt go into secondary. Ive been to many countries in Europe and my experiences with Spanish, French , Swedish and German immigration has always been pleasent with the exception of a racist officer in Poland. They didnt give me any royal treatment. They did their jobs and assessed my entry the way it should be.

And can you clarify what was racist about officer in Poland ? You weren't arrested and I do not see a reason why you deny the US CBP right to pull anyone they want into secondary - those are their rules in their country and if you do not like them there are plenty of other countries you can visit.

And your point about them having to have reasonable suspicions does not make any sense - they can do whatever they want within the bounds of their law (which pulling a random guy into secondary I am is). Stay away if you do not like it.

[Harsh_77 718]

Dude get over high horse since you have been to 30 countries and europeans give you better treatment you should not be pulled in secondary.

Plain and simple.

[globocentri 2]

And can you clarify what was racist about officer in Poland ? You weren't arrested and I do not see a reason why you deny the US CBP right to pull anyone they want into secondary - those are their rules in their country and if you do not like them there are plenty of other countries you can visit.

And your point about them having to have reasonable suspicions does not make any sense - they can do whatever they want within the bounds of their law (which pulling a random guy into secondary I am is). Stay away if you do not like it.

The polish immigration didnt pull me aside but she kept staring at me and kept asking me the same question. Her look was quite hostile. I was the only Asian in the whole arrival hall then. Yes law enforcement officers can do anything within the bounds of their laws but there is no justification for abuse. Abuse of power can be criminal even thought what they did was within the powers. "Stay away if do not like it" is nothing more than a pig headed reply. What if one police officer lock u up for one night for no reason and tell you to go home to Poland when you complaint? Police officers have the right to detain anyone for up to 24 hours without trial and it is within the law. Does that mean they can do it to anyone?

Edited October 28, 2011 by globocentri

[Deputy Purple 1,294]

Police officers have the right to detain anyone for up to 24 hours without trial and it is within the law. Does that mean they can do it to anyone?

Actually by definition yes it does mean exactly that, BTW it's not "without trial" but without being formally charged, there is a huge difference.

But they do have rules that guide their behavior. The same is true for CBP, they are the guardians of our borders and unless you have walked a mile in their shoes it is arrogant of you to presume you know exactly what motivates them to pull you into secondary. I noticed that you stated your experience escalated to the point of a shouting match, I have never seen that happen without both sides participating. If you are visibly offended at being pulled into secondary and acting hostile towards the CBP officers then that would only serve to raise their alertness level regarding you.

It's amazing how much a few misplaced words grumbled under one's breath can totally derail a situation while at the same time a respectful & polite smile can calm tensions and put things back on track.

[kzielu 1,149]

Police officers have the right to detain anyone for up to 24 hours without trial and it is within the law. Does that mean they can do it to anyone?

Yes, this is exactly what that means, what else can that mean ? You have very basic problems with understanding law...

In Poland they can lock you up to 48 hours, so this is quite an improvement here...

[Noah Lot 391]

You joined VJ yesterday just to post a rant about your "treatment"?...my God man, get a life. If you don't like the US and the fact that you may get pulled aside every now and then, then enjoy your stay and don't come back.

I'm sure that GB would love to have you back....spending your money there...or perhaps China..??

Amen. Perhaps he was miffed because no one put out tea and crumpets alongside a red carpet when he arrived?

[Boiler 46,013]

Seriously? I find it impossible to believe that they will do that to A GB passport holder

Why not? Are you talking about the Special Relationship? Richard Reid had a UK Passport.