A Personal Blog
The End of the Story
Okay, just came back from the US Consulate. Before I say what happened, I want to say a few other things related to this.
I’m shocked by the blogosphere’s, and the press’s, response. It blows my mind. This is once again a case of me simply having no idea that people would care. I was blogging because I had to tell somebody, and telling “Ensight” was as easy as telling anyone else.
Second, the company in question is not McGraw-Hill. It’s a major media company, well respected, etc. McGraw-Hill owns several major media companies, but is really a publisher.
I’m still not 100% sure what happened at Customs at the airport. Really, totally unsure. However at the very least I was denied entry and flagged for followup any other time I try to enter. As far as I can tell, I am not “banned” from entering. I’m not sure why the border guard said I was, threatened to throw me and jail and sieze my assets, etc.
I don’t know if any of what I experienced is even allowed by DHS (Department of Homeland Security). And I don’t even hold anything against DHS, Americans, etc. At the end of the day it’s this guy’s job to protect the border from, as he said, “ingrates and other seedy characters”.
There are quotes that stick out in my mind, like the “blogging ain’t a job” qoute that everyone’s bandying about. And there were threats. And there was lots of talk and many humiliating moments. There were also jaw-dropping ones like:
Him: Why would you visit someone in the states you’d never met (I mentioned I was planning to visit several people whilst down there)
Me: Well, I have met most of them, but I’ve talked to them dozens or hundreds of times online.
Him: Do you have any of their phone numbers?
Me: No, but I talk
Him:
Me: No, really, I can talk from my computer to theirs
Him:
Me: … (at this point I’ve learned that sarcasm doesn’t help, nor does answering questions he doesn’t want to hear the answer to)
Him: So, you’re trying to tell me that you’re going to visit someone who you’ve never met, never talked to and who knows nothing about you? And I’m supposed to believe this?
Me: … (This was two hours in, and minutes before I demanded to be released)
Anyways, I’m not going to New York. The company basically needed someone there this week, and the only way to get a Visa is through a fairly standard 2 week process. Which I understand, and I’m not mad about, it just means I’m not going.
At the end of the day, I realize the US has to protect their borders. To me, in doing so, there are reasonable limits. If you suspect someone is smuggling drugs, a strip and cavity search is probably appropriate. After all, you can verify whether they are or aren’t. But if you suspect someone of lying to you about their occupation, are you really going to find the answer anywhere on their person? I mean, REALLY?
I guess I just feel that, given the circumstances, he knew immediately he wasn’t going to let me into the country in time for my flight. So, what was the other 2 hours about? If I’d been simply denied entry without all the other fluff and threats I would have turned around and gone home…
Garh, I’m rambling.
Anyways, I really appreciate everyone’s support. I’m doing much better today. Still a bit bent out of shape. But, as everyone who saw me yesterday will attest, I’m basically using humour to gloss that over. It’s been a big week. On Sunday I was living in Winnipeg. Today I’m vaguely stranded 4000 miles away. I’ll be heading up to my folks’ place tonight to spend a few days working on my book, and then I’ll be joining my family in the Toronto area.
I’m looking forward to visiting the US again at some point. I’m sure (almost, anyways) that next time won’t be as big of a hassle. It’ll probably be a hassle, but not a massive one. It’s not like I’m a terrorist or a hair dresser or anything.
About the author
| Print article | This entry was posted by Jeremy Wright on March 17, 2005 at 9:24 am, and is filed under From My Life. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed. |
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about 7 years ago
Man, that guard sounds like an A-1 jayhole who’s got serious issues with denial of the reality of technology. I mean, heck, you don’t even NEED a phone to actually talk verbally to someone. All you need is a microphone and speakers.
I can’t even begin to describe how infuriating this is to hear about… This should have never happened to you. test
about 7 years ago
Well, like everyone else, I was brought here by a link…that’s ridiculous that they doubted your occupation…seems like customs can be pretty damn stupid sometimes…Hopefully the next time you try, you’ll be able to get in :)
about 7 years ago
Gotta agree with Nikkiana on this one. I am a red-white-and-blue, flag-waving American, and I am glad the Homeland Security Dept. is protecting us, but PLEASE! Protecting us from BLOGGERS! If Canadian bloggers had flown the planes into the Towers, I might understand. But this seems to be quite unreasonable.
They also should probably screen their people a little better–at least get some guys that are up on the latest technology!
about 7 years ago
> “If Canadian bloggers had flown the planes into the Towers, I might understand.”
Haha, classic. This made me laugh out loud (note: I was drinking Vanilla Coke at the time) :D
Thanks!
about 7 years ago
I’m Torontonian, living in San Francisco. I have been knocked back at that very border point – if I understand the situation – airport in Winnipeg, when I had an H1-B visa (valid but the stamp had expired in my passport). My girlfriend (now wife) started getting mad and they totally knocked me back. Took a call to my lawyer in the US to get it sorted out and on a plane the next day. They are DINKS there, worse than other points for some reason. Maybe the cold.
Having said all that, we did make a simple mistake: my wife, a US citizen was so shocked at the level of assholeyness that she got indignant. My unsolicited advice: expose your jugular every time at the border, it always works. These are small minded people and they have to have their power trip. Seriously, it’s the only thing that will get you through.
about 7 years ago
Yeah, I’m with Andrew. You got an ignorant jerk.
But, the way that you are handling it is commendable. Only a temporary setback.
about 7 years ago
Geez.. Glad my mother didn’t run into that kind of jerk when she emigrated from Canda, I might never have been born. Hang in there man, the real Americans are waiting with open arms.
about 7 years ago
Jeremy, what a dang-blasted experience! I must say, I’ve been through my share of frustration here and there, but…this would have me over the edge. You did handle it well…you continue to handle it well…and it speaks well for bloggers. Thank you.
about 7 years ago
It was my understanding that the U.S. Border Security personnel had been put on notice by their top brass to stop acting like Gestapo and to treat everyone with courtesy and respect. What happened to THAT initiative?
about 7 years ago
What were the two hours about? It’s the “give me a reason” technique. I used to be one of them. I know. We used to twist the expression “just cause” to “just because”.
Basically, intimidate the poor victim until they lose it and grab for the throat of one of the bastards.
Since you didn’t do that, and demanded that you either be charged with a crime or released, there was little else they could do. Except in this dark day in our old US of A anything’s possible.
I think the best policy is to realise what the game is, then don’t play it, and hope that sanity wins out.
Why the hell would you ever want to come back here? Except that, in some places, it’s at least warmer.
about 7 years ago
Hey Jer. I’m glad that your ok………love ya
about 7 years ago
We live in an age of derision and hate. You can choose to turn the other cheek and let the shit fly by, or you do battle with it by shoving it back down people’s throats. Either shit or get off the toilet people! Half-way measures will not work in a war for minds and hearts.
We are up against some real ugly neo-nazi racist fasco-religious homophobic arrogant hateful ignorant moronic jack-assed slime-balled queerish people in this. Don’t count on them ever giving a shit about your life!
about 7 years ago
….? Was that a sort of all-purpose rant?
:)
about 7 years ago
>…not an Arab, not a Muslim…
As if you need protection from them. Hell, they are even releasing prisoners from Gitmo after years of illegal and unfair imprisonment, with no charge. I hope you can make a connection.
about 7 years ago
and on top of this you were treated this way in your own country, since for what ever reason the US Customs are actually located in the Canadian Airports…jeez what a rip
about 7 years ago
There are still some folks – if given a toy badge -will drive 120mph from Florida to California with red light and siren blaring.
about 7 years ago
Terrorists don’t have a “look.” They are potentially anyone. Even well-meaning people still say, “I don’t look like a terrorists.” That’s really code for “my skin isn’t brown.” It’s a very racist thing to think.
about 7 years ago
It sounds like you’re just relieved that it’s over. Are you going to try to bring this up with the authorities (whichever ones are appropriate)? At the very least, I think the Canadian government should file an expression of displeasure at such shameful treatment by US agents.
about 7 years ago
Yup, more of the same abuse we get for having allowed the setting up and overfunding of something called “DHS” – we get protection from Canadians. (!) It would be more amusing if it weren’t patently clear that while fine, innocent citizens are being stripped, poked, prodded and kept from being able to make a living, the real security risks are flying, creeping, sliming about the world freely having a hayday. In a better ordered universe heads would roll.
about 7 years ago
It’s sad what that country has become. It’s a good place to leave, my friend. They are just hell bent on losing whatever few friends they have left in the world, aren’t they? Worry not, it’s better to be off the Titanic before it sucks you into the murky depths of the water with it.
Sorry to hear of your traumatizing experience. I’m sure you’ll get over it in no time. Canada has everything one could possibly need or want. And, ofcourse there is The Rest of The World, too. BTW, I followed a link on whatreallyhappened.com to find your site. Couple of quotes for ya:
“Every time we allow the government to grow in power at the expense of the people, we put ourselves in jeopardy of losing the ability to free ourselves of them if it goes too far.” – Thomas Jefferson”
“In times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act.”
George Orwell
Best of luck.
about 7 years ago
I decided 2 years ago that I wasn’t prepare to enter the US again for the foreseeable future. http://www.anu.edu.au/people/Roger.Clarke/DV/NotesCFP03.html explains why not – part principle, part practicality.
Nothing’s changed, apart from the requirement to yield up multiple biometrics into their collection, without protections, for use as they see fit.
Like you, I agree that some kinds of security measure are entirely appropriate. (I earn some of my living in security-related work). But the people responsible for security as US border-points have lost the plot completely.
about 7 years ago
It happens! Going to NYC area last June, then 78 yrs. of age, with wife and son, was detained approx. 2.5hrs., questioned, after presenting photo ID,luggage and car examined minutely, interrogated by several different members of their border force and finally released without explanation or apology. we then continued our journey and enjoyed a very pleasant visit, last month my wife and I went to Florida and passed the same border after answering 2 or 3 questions, why the difference? I’ve no idea but border authorities should know that rough inappropriate behaviour on their part does great damage to the normal favourable feeling to-ward the US that almost all US bound travelers hold.
about 7 years ago
This kind of behaviour is nothing new for undereducated brainwashed nationalists who have a need to justify their (superior) gov’nt induced employment. The soviet bloc countries of old had the exact same type of people employed at similar positions, spouting the same b.s. .History repeats yet again.
about 7 years ago
“The soviet bloc countries of old had the exact same type of people employed at similar positions, spouting the same b.s. .History repeats yet again.”
And we all know what happened to the Soviet Bloc!
Sometimes you just gotta sit back and enjoy the spectacular fall of yet another empire.
about 7 years ago
I was born and lived many years in the USSR. I know how it looked like from inside.
Now I live in US (I’m a US citizen) and it is painfully obvious that US is slowly but inexorably becoming a replica of the good ol’ USSR. Blame Republicans for playing the scare and morals cards, blame Democrats for playing the equality and compassion cards. Blame American people for buying in to the collectivist bullshit pushed by the politicans on all sides of the “mainstream” political spectrum and forgetting what this nation was supposed to be about.
DHS is, by and large, a bullshit organization, based on bullshit premises (that “US citizens” need protection from the terrorists… well, it is US _government_ which needs the protection, the chances for an average citizen to become a victim of a terrorist act are quite small: about 200 times less than chances of being killed by an automobile). It exists for the sole purpose of beating people into submission to the whims of the State, getting used that the “need” of the collectivist State trumps any individual rights. So why do we act surprised when its agents behave like they own us? Oh, well, they do, don’t they?
about 7 years ago
Jeremy, is the job really out of the question now.
I got my first job in the US with a TN1 visa (i.e., a NAFTA work Visa) which they process *instantly* at the border. I’d guess there is a reasonable chance the company in question could hire you on a TN1.
Please contact me directly if I can help you with this. (I’m not an immigration lawyer trolling for clients; just a Canadian on this side of the line who has jumped through all kinds of immigration hoops already.)
about 7 years ago
And on the southern boarder today… thousands of illegals walk across unhindered trashing farms, back yards, stealing cars and raping nuns… (I read this in the Canuck version of TIME magazine a few months back) Why? – so there is more excuse to increase control of the real citizens…
about 7 years ago
Why are you being so nice? This is evil. There’s really no other way to look at it. Anyone who thinks it’s okay to be a Nazi border guard is just deserving of jail.
about 7 years ago
The only way that crap like this is going to get fixed is if real US voters complain en masse. Call or write your Congressperson.
about 7 years ago
Probably the best bet would be to fly into Mexico and then come across the border that way. Doesn’t seem to be a problem there anymore.
about 7 years ago
It’s anyway, not anyways. Otherwise, sorry to hear about all that ridiculous trouble.
about 7 years ago
Oh really?
How simplistic can you be in your explanation??
I’m not here to doubt you. But come on, did you ever think of just saying this is a business trip and frequently in business you go to meet someone you have never met because that is what business is about, making connections?
Did you just leave it at I’m visiting some friends I’ve never met?? If so that’s bad.
I hope I’m never in that situation but I’d warrant that if so things may go differently.
Without the posts though I’ll never know if you are really a jerk or just being tagged as one.
about 7 years ago
A couple years ago my sister and I were up in Sweetgrass, Montana, which is a border crossing and has a population of maybe 100 people — it’s pretty tiny. The crossing was being enlarged and new people were coming to work as border guards.
We were told by a local woman that there had been serious problems between the U.S. and Canadian guards. The Americans wanted their guns, of course, and the Canadians (who don’t carry guns) were concerned they were going to be shot by these new, over-zealous American hot-shots.
The woman described the new guards as “being intoxicated with power” — a polite way to say, they are acting like thugs.
She said locals were upset because they were used to coming and going across the border (they’d just wave to the guard as they crossed); now they, too, are being hassled and delayed.
about 7 years ago
It’s a good thing that you did not explain to the guard that if you never met anyone that you had not met before, then you would never meet anyone, ever. He might have overheated his neurons and turned to dust and pile of smoking clothes.
Kudos on taking the high road!
about 7 years ago
I’ve always felt that meeting a blogger in a dark alley is scary… :p
about 7 years ago
Without realizing it, you were dealing with a Vogon spaceship guard. He deliberately chose the job because he gets to wear a uniform, a lowslung stun-ray holster and enjoy the mindless tedium. And then there’s the yelling. ‘Resistance is useless!’
For further reference, check out the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.
about 7 years ago
Perhaps instead of saying he was a blogger, he should have said that he was a gay porn site operator with a White House press pass. Just a thought. ;)
about 7 years ago
I see in your post you used the term Hair Dresser. If you are using it as a slang what does it mean? I thought I was the first to coin the slang Hair Dresser. My slang came about like this. I was hanging out at a bar and their was this certain girl that I knew. She is very pretty and attracts alot of attention. I had seen her earlier in the night and and she introduced me to her “new friend” apparently during the conversation it came out that this guy worked as a Hair dresser at a local female hair place. The dude was a total dork, that just loved to kiss womens asses, I mean borderline half fag. I didn’t say anything wished them well and went and got a beer. So I get back and this guy comes up to me and says who’s the dude hanging with this chick I was talking to. So I say he’s a Hair dresser. All of a sudden this guy starts laughing his ass off, then I started laughing my ass off. So the rest of the night we started calling dudes hair dressers. It kind of caught on in my local town In California. next thing I know I am reading posts on an internet site and am directed here. Where I see the term Hair Dresser used as I guess a slang. What is the definition of your slang? Whatever it is I like my slang better.
about 7 years ago
Jeez, what do you do with people like that? And is it a good thing that most of them live in the US (joke, joke… calm it my patriotic friends). But serriously, did he say “seedy characters”, my lord – makes me sick.
You should come visit the UK – because you’ve never met me and i’ve never met, nor talked with you – come stay at our place. If your seedy or a terrorist; doubly so – and take your friends. :D
I don’t know what it says on the Canadian passport, but I wonder if quoting something like:
“Her Britannic Majesty’s Secretary of State requests and requires in the name of Her Majesty all those whom it may concern to allow the bearer to pass freely without let or hindrance and to afford the bearer such assistance and protection as may be necessary” – From my passport cover.
would get you anywhere today?
about 7 years ago
“So, what was the other 2 hours about?”
Torture, a psychological form of torture. You were tortured my friend. It has become an acceptable tool of the US and one they no longer hide or deny. Torture is an integral part of the Bush Doctrine and will, over the long haul, become it’s legacy. Of course the fallacy of torture is that it works. Under the right circumstances, any of us would admit to anything to make it stop. Hardly a reliable tool for extracting accurate information.
WWTJT (What Would Thomas Jefferson Think?)
“The care of human life and happiness and not their destruction is the first and only legitimate object of good government.” – Thomas Jeffer
about 7 years ago
Somebody please post the name of that industrious border guard. I’m sure many people who have now heard about him on this wonderful internet would like to send him many emails congratulating him on victorious effort to keep Amerika safe from seedy bloggers.
about 7 years ago
Yes, customs people are dicks. I spent 3 hours in Canadian immigration once. On my way to meeting a friend, I made the mistake of being honest and stating what my true purpose was, which was followed with “how did you meet her?”.. “The internet” I said, “but this isn’t the first time I’ve been with her, and we’ve been friends for years”. I was directed to the baggage search area and had all of my things sprawled across a table. They searched my person, looked in my wallet and asked “Do you have skin problems?” after seeing a dermatologist’s card. Asked me if I was in a gang when they found a red scarf (We’re talking 145lb nerd here).. they ran criminal record checks on me, coming back with “How many fingers do you have?”… Fantastic
about 7 years ago
Somebody please post the name of that industrious border guard. I’m sure many people who have now heard about him on this wonderful internet would like to send him many emails congratulating him on victorious effort to keep Amerika safe from seedy bloggers.
Comment by Heinrich Himmler
==============
I doubt the border guard has an email address. Y’know yer can’t talk to people without the tellyphone. Ingrates!
about 7 years ago
A wise man once said; “hire an idiot, you get an idiot!”, and from that the civil servant was created.
about 7 years ago
NEVER say you’re a blogger. Say you are a writer or a freelance journalist.
about 7 years ago
Freaking amazing…it is a shame that vocations like these sometimes attract personalities like the border guard described. Unfortunately due to poor screening techniques some of these inappropriate people get through and eventually resonable individuals like yourself end up at the wrong end of their ineptitude, ignorance and inhumanity. These sort of experiences can happen anywhere in the world of course. In these days of fear and loathing however, I worry these kind of occurences will happen more frequently, it’s really rather sad and sort of absurd to.
about 7 years ago
Sorry – resonable = reasonable.
…and let us not forget ~
Information is not knowledge.
Knowledge is not wisdom.
Wisdom is not truth.
Truth is not beauty.
Beauty is not love.
Love is not music.
Music is the best.
(Frank Zappa)
about 7 years ago
Unfortunately, once you’ve been hassled like this by customs once, it’s likely to happen every time you try to cross the border. Terribly annoying, but easy enough to deal with. Just make sure you bring every piece of paperwork you’ve ever crossed paths with. Proof of employment, proof that you’re paying to live somewhere and are therefore likely to return, enough money in cash for your trip, bank statements, a return ticket if possible. Anything you can think of that supports your story. For instance, pulling out printouts of e-mails arranging the trip would have been a good response to “You can’t talk to someone without a phone number.” Anyway, I didn’t read the original posts, which are now pulled. But if you’re crossing the border for work (not really sure if that was the case), you do NEED a visa, and could be quite rightly denied on that basis.
about 7 years ago
It’s that an extract of the screen play of Ben Stiller’s new movie? recive our little support from Barcelona.
about 7 years ago
Note to Juan, you’d best leave at “Journalist” – Alistair Cooke’s Letter From America – “A Planet of Snow”
So – Let’s face it, these guys just want to hear what they want to hear. So- I’m a tourist…
about 7 years ago
Blogger?
You asshole, they should have shot you on the spot and done the rest of us a favor.
about 7 years ago
You should feel entitled to be angry at US Customs and Americans themselves. First, US Customs perpetrated an unreasonable, invasive and humiliating series of questions and searches and restrictions on you. Be angry. Second, Americans *explicitly* support this behaviour with their election votes; that country is falling into an extremely paranoid and evil state, and there is no reason for you to be nice about the effects this has had on you personally. Be angry, boycott American businesses as much as you are able (understanding that living Canada, we are all Uncle Sam’s whores and we depend on him for *everything*), and never, ever go back to that fascist hellhole.
about 7 years ago
You want to be careful describing yourself as a reporter. You are specifically excluded off the visa waiver program if you intend to do reporting whilst visiting the USA. Check the fine print on the bottom ofthe form. Perhaps bloggers should be wary of calling themselves bloggers at the border
about 7 years ago
Unsubscribe
about 7 years ago
Bottom line is this: regardless of what titles or occupations seem to raise a red flag for a moronic border idiot, it’s a sad commentary on this U.S. that the situation even exists. It hasn’t been that long since “we” boasted of being the land of the free and home of the brave, and put up a statue and sang highminded songs about “give me your tired, your poor”. Now we’re hiring thugs to make sure everyone is tired, and our government’s hellbent on making everyone [else] poor. Pathetic.
about 7 years ago
I have a hard time believing that someone doesn’t know about IMing but knows what blogging is.
about 7 years ago
Ignorant people often think others are being deceptive when those ignorant people hear jargon they don’t understand or when words are used in an unfamiliar way.
Words considered common to you both obviously had different meanings. For example, what does it mean to meet someone online? You don’t usually see them and shake hands. And what does it mean to talk to them? You don’t usually speak to them. You send messages, or chat. But even to chat doesn’t mean you’re speaking to someone.
To those that don’t understand the alternate meanings of “to meet”, “to talk”, and “to chat”, it sounds like you’re BSing.
Oh well. I guess we’ll have to modify an old saying and declare that bloggers and border guards are separated by a common language.
about 7 years ago
Aren’t “talking” “chatting” and “BSing” synonymous?
;)
about 7 years ago
Jeremy, next time say you’re an “Editor of an Online Publication called Ensight” and that you’re “travelling to (City, State in USA) to interview (Person’s Name).” If they harass you for the phone number, tell them “oh, they’ll be meeting me at their office at (give address).” Of course, it’ll be important to have the address of the place you plan on visiting handy, but … well … :-)
So, your story sounds like the Americans managed to keep one more Canadian out of America. Good triumphs over evil, again, I suppose. *chuckle*
Perhaps you should try entering through the Mexican borders. I hear they let anyone through who looks like they can pick a mean berry.
about 7 years ago
look America is going to hell. sorry gone to hell! freedom is dead. Students jailed for terroist threats for stories of zombies attacking his school. good thing you weren’t shot on sight for have a IQ over 70 and we as americans wonder why companies outsorce jobs the people they’d have to hire aren’t smart enough to get online let alone asnwer a question about it. i love america i just hate the stupid people who run it and i don’t have enough money to buy the votes to change that
about 7 years ago
I was detained in Montreal customs for over an hour a few weeks ago. The customs officer went on several rants about the USA, Walmart, and how she is a unionized worker and doesn’t have to be prompt or efficient. She was trying to tax me about $700 on my used personal items I was bringing with me but could only figure out how to get the computer to charge me $260. Then she demanded that I pay her in cash. The story goes on and on. Several times she threatened to keep me indefinitely or to confiscate all my belongings. I have written a three page letter that I intend to send to the customs officials.
Anyhow, it sounds like we have jerks on both sides of the border.
about 7 years ago
I really dont understand how TSA and the border guards get away with this. theres an article out there (i read it on boingboing. i cant remember what it was called. sorry. ) about a man who is questioning TSA security. and it turns out that the laws that restrict your freedoms are classified because they pertain to security. if you can find the article read it. its worth your time.
when i crossed the border at christmas i was irratated. drug dogs sniffed my snack in my bag. all my stuff got searched. my 16 year old sister had her bags checked and searched through at every stop. and her nail clippers were confiscated. these people love power. on a seperate note the best airport transit i have experienced was from Rome to Frankfurt to Calgary. inspections were reasonable and everyone was polite. the last leg however, Calgary to Edmonton was a pain. If your sensors are sensiteve enough to pick up aluiminum foil, then its not terrorists who are opposing your freedom.
about 7 years ago
I had the same problems going in and out of Canada from Washington just last year.
When I went over, Canadian Immigration questioned me about my stay, where I lived, what I was doing there and I don’t think they quite believed me that I was just going to meet a friend from the Internet for coffee. He questioned me for about 10 minutes and did his search on me on his computer. But when he realized I wasn’t wanted or whatever, he let me go to coffee.
Going back, border patrol on the Washington side did the exact same thing and questioned me and searched my purse for another good 10 minutes.
I think it’s all pretty random, but it’s very humiliating and surreal. I want to go back, but I really don’t want to have to go through the whole thing again.
about 7 years ago
When I visited Canada in 2000, I entered the country with a Brazilian Passport which clearly had a stamp showing my legal residency. The border guard was very testy and asked me, ‘Why aren’t you a US Citizen yet?’. I responded with dry sarcasm, “Well, because I want to become Canadian, eh!”
Long story short. It didn’t work and I waited a few hours, as we say in Portuguese “cha de cadeira” — sweating you out.
I guess working at a border and wearing goofy customs officials uniforms doesn’t give you much of a sense of humour, nor does it give you the right to badger people with questions about their personal choices (whether I become American or not, which I am doing now, so I can join the Peace Corps or whether or not you can talk to people in other countries through the internet and then visit them)..
uh, i find myself rambling now!
Good luck!
about 7 years ago
Like Nike
LIE
JUST DO IT.
LIE
Say that you will visit a friend from all your life.
Say that you have lost the phone number
LIE LIE LIE LIE LIE LIE LIE
Everyone does.
about 7 years ago
If I will go to USA, there are many words that I will leave out. I’m thinking better, and I will not go to USA.
about 7 years ago
yeah, amazingly crap, my dad was searched 3 times by security at atlanta and almost missed his DOMESTIC flight, nice comment about the hairdresser! lol
about 7 years ago
I was once flying from LA to NYC via Atlanta, and after a redeye flight at night, when we landed in Atlanta to change planes, the captain decided he didn’t like my books, that was back in 1983, pre-911, and ordered me off the plane. just like that. delta then put me on the next flight to NYC. just like that. they later paid me US$1500 with letter of apology. Shit happens.
You was wronged. But these things happen. Morley Someone, forget his name, famous Canadian wildlife writer, used to shoot at planes sometimes, in protest, he also was denied entry to USA once. and BRitish reporter was stopped in LA last year.
I was once arrested and jailed for 41 days in Japan, with a US passport, for minor visa violation, placed in soliary, tried in court, deported in handcuffs and blacklisted for life. all for minor visa problem, no terrorist or embezzlement or dope runner or murder. So watch out for Japan immigration police, too, if you ever go there.
What happened to you should NOT have happened. Total snafu. US gov will apologize, I am sure, and you will be let back in later. Yes, humor helps. Nothing else works. Shit happens. All the time. Everywhere.
about 7 years ago
Hi Jeremy,
So sorry to hear about this. Just a quick note that you should track down and watch the short film, “Strip Search” (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0376215/).
I’m not being facetious, it’s actually a very good short film with Glenn Close that’s a commentary on “personal freedoms vs. national security in the aftermath of 9/11″. A must see after what you’ve just gone through.
about 7 years ago
Uh, that was Farley Mowat, he was branded a communist, I’d be surprised if he ‘shot at planes’
about 7 years ago
I completely sympathize with you and also, the guard was just pretending to ask you supposedly valid questions, when he really wanted to create trouble for you. However, I wonder whether a few numbers would have helped…I mean it is entirely possible that I would have the phone numbers of a few people I am meeting for the first time and have met only over the internet.
about 7 years ago
I am a U.S. citizen (born here) and every year for the last 4 years I have flown to Europe for business. I consistently find the customs process to be basically polite and efficient, especially immediately after Sept 11. (The lines for passport control in Heathrow are ridculous, but that’s off-topic.)
Anyway, the worst experience I have had yet was coming back here – it doesn’t compare to yours as I was delayed maybe 10 minutes for a very stupid conversation, but I was so fantastically angry to be rudely questioned by civil servants of MY COUNTRY – I barely contained myself. We must be losing out of millions of dollars in tourism revenue, from the way we treat people. Dear Canadian neighbor, on behalf of my idiotic, fearful countrymen, I’m sorry.
about 7 years ago
Jeremy,
I know the truth about your encounter at the Toronto airport! So does the gentleman that was in the inspection area with you, remember him? Did you know he was a OPP officer? and he heard the entire conversation. He has come forward to give his version of the actions of the officers you lied about.
The facts are as follows; You entered the inspection hall at 0518 in the morning, you were asked if you planned to work in the US, and what was your response. You said you were going to a friends place because it was “quite and you could work on your book”. That was a lie, although the inspector did not know what a blogger was, he could tell you were lying. You even admitted it in your many interviews. At 0627, you were allowed to withdraw your application for entry to the US, and escorted to the exit.
about 7 years ago
Hey annlyzer. You’re a complete pr0ng and so is your little girly guard buddy.
about 7 years ago
Wow, my earlier post was deleted. that’s two so far. what gives, maestro? I thought we all believed in freedom of speech? Maybe the US was right to ban you from going in if that’s how you treat people. Explain sir.
about 7 years ago
EATING CROW: Wait a minute, I was wrong, my posts were not taken down. I apologize, JW.
QUOTED OUT OF TURN: “Wow, my earlier post was deleted. that’s two so far. what gives, maestro? I thought we all believed in freedom of speech? Maybe the US was right to ban you from going in if that’s how you treat people. Explain sir.”
Turns out that he didn’t delete my posts, they are in another area of the board, still up, and it is me who should be banned from entering the US, for not checking my facts first and getting it all straight before I spoke. Sorry about that, sir.
about 7 years ago
http://www.smh.com.au/news/Breaking/Blogger-blocked-by-US-immigration/2005/03/22/1111254012558.html
Now the newspapers in Australia are chiming with one side of the story. Still haven’t heard the other side yet. Over to you, George!
about 7 years ago
I had to apply for a visa today to go to the States. I had to pay 80 Euros for this – and, even worse – I had to pay 15 Euros to get an appointment.
It seems that the poor old US of A is so broke that it’s getting its visitors to cough up to pay for this war to steal Iraq’s oil.
What a sad state of affairs to get into. I feel really sorry for the honest and respectable folks who live in a country where over half of the population are total @$$holes with a communal IQ of just 1.
It gets more like the USSR every day
about 7 years ago
Annlyzer,
“I know the truth about your encounter at the Toronto airport! So does the gentleman that was in the inspection area with you, remember him? Did you know he was a OPP officer? and he heard the entire conversation. He has come forward to give his version of the actions of the officers you lied about.”
I think we’d all like to see your source. Give us a link, a reference to an interview or press release, something other than your ramblings.
“The facts are as follows…”
Simply blathering about what you say are “facts,” is actually hearsay. Imagine this were a court of law, and we’re all waiting for your evidence.
“You said you were going to a friends place because it was ‘quite and you could work on your book’.”
For cryin’ out loud! If you’re going to quote someone on what they said, you should probably spell correctly.
Is it possible that Jeremy’s account of what happened differs from what the border guard might say? Yes, probably. Is it also possible that both of their accounts would differ from what really happened. Again, most likely. But it’s very important that if you’re going to call someone a liar you back it up with something more than a display of you sticking your head up your ass for all to see.
Thank you.