The change comes amid President Donald Trump's large-scale crackdown on illegal immigration.

This shit has surpassed ridiculous. I feel like the writers of Spaceballs, and Idiocracy, are somehow making things happen.

  • ExtremeDullard@lemmy.sdf.orgEnglish
    0·
    3 months ago

    I’m not a fan of authoritarianism, and even less a fan of the orange peel currently soiling the chair in the oval office. But this advisory essentially says you should have your paperwork in order before entering the US. I’m not sure what’s to be worked up against: it’s pretty sound advice even in the best of times.

    • Cinder Bloc @lemmy.worldOPMEnglish
      0·
      3 months ago

      The guidance comes after Rebecca Burke, a 28-year-old U.K. citizen, was detained and deported from the U.S. and returned to the U.K. on March 18, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

      Burke, a cartoonist, had been backpacking across the United States, sharing her journey on Instagram, where she posted about her stays in Portland and Seattle.

      Her father, Paul Burke, voiced concern in a Facebook post, explaining that his daughter had no criminal record and was on her way to Canada when she was denied entry due to an “incorrect visa.” She was then refused reentry into the U.S., classified as an “illegal alien,” and detained by ICE.

      It’s that part that’s concerning. In the past, this wouldn’t have even been something that was a concern. Mistakes happen no matter how diligent people are. She likely would have just been referred to the consulate to get things in order.

      • ExtremeDullard@lemmy.sdf.orgEnglish
        0·
        3 months ago

        No question.

        What I meant was, visiting the US today is like visiting Germany in 1934: if you must do it, do your utmost to avoid getting in trouble with the Gestapo.

        The true good advice to give is: don’t go to the fucking United States.

        • Cptn_Slow@lemmy.worldEnglish
          0·
          3 months ago

          What I meant was, visiting the US today is like visiting Germany in 1934: if you must do it, do your utmost to avoid getting in trouble with the Gestapo.

          You can’t honestly believe that to be true. Asking people to have their documents squared away before entering a country is something any country in the world has a right to do, but suddenly when the USA asks it, it’s Nazi Germany.

          • ExtremeDullard@lemmy.sdf.orgEnglish
            0·
            3 months ago

            In fairness, it’s not new: I remember in the late 80’s, people entering the US on the visa waiver program were given a green cardboard form to fill out in the plane before landing. The form has a bunch of questions like “What are you coming to the US for?” “Where are you staying?” etc.

            Standard stuff. But it also had a really silly question: “Are you a war criminal?” That’s a seriously stupid question: if you’re a war criminal, you’re unlikely to answer truthfully, and if you’re not, you’re going to answer No of course.

            Some smartass in the plane joked that he would answer Yes for shits and giggles. Well, the joke was on him: he was detained and grilled rather thoroughly for 10 hours and then kicked out of the country. He kept saying “It was a joke! It was a joke!” but the INS officers kept saying “We’re not amused and you’re going to find out just how much we are not.”

            The same sort of story was posted in the newspaper - perhaps around the same time, maybe mid-80’s - about a dude traveling with a violin. When the immigration officer asked him what it was, he said “A machine gun of course!” Same thing: he was pulled out and interrogated rather roughly for hours.

            All that was pre-9/11 and pre-USA Patriot Act, when things were still pretty chill. But even back them, it was standard advice not to fuck around with immigration in any way possible.