Originally Posted by
20driver
I'd be thinking, do I really need to make this trip?
20driver
Sorry to change the topic, but as someone with no criminal records/ immigration violations, a historically frequent visitor to the US and someone who spent almost 5 years in the US in university, I've started asking myself this same question since the last couple of years. It is really hit or miss, but some of the encounters I've had with the US border officials have been such that they really do treat foreigners like a criminal, sometimes in an extremely rude manner. I have always done my best to keep smiling and a sense of humor-- how humiliating-- this is one of the few areas in life that I would stoop to such a level.
Don't get me wrong. Once inside the country, 95 per cent of US citizens are absolutely fantastic and it is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. The problem is the welcoming committee in blue with badges and guns.
I've heard some attitudes that national security is the #1 concern, and that if visitors don't understand or like it then they should not come. I guess OK, although it does little to foster a positive image of the US and create greater harmony in this world.