Comments on: US Customs Does Not Allow Conference Speakers?? – My Experience http://www.uscustomssaga.com/2010/01/us-customs-does-not-allow-conference-speakers-my-experience/ My continuing adventures with US Customs. Sat, 11 Sep 2010 16:24:58 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Ronald Zisman http://www.uscustomssaga.com/2010/01/us-customs-does-not-allow-conference-speakers-my-experience/#comment-40 Ronald Zisman Mon, 19 Jul 2010 22:47:33 +0000 http://www.lyndseo.com/?p=459#comment-40 Hello All: I practice U.S. immigration law and I was trying to convince a client not to travel to the U.S. as a B-1 conference speaker and was looking for 'bad' experiences to forward to him and found your site. There is a lot of confusion among all of you. Maybe one day Lyndsay can explore a webminar or Q/A where I can explain how the process works (or doesn't). Best Ronald A. Zisman Hello All: I practice U.S. immigration law and I was trying to convince a client not to travel to the U.S. as a B-1 conference speaker and was looking for ‘bad’ experiences to forward to him and found your site. There is a lot of confusion among all of you. Maybe one day Lyndsay can explore a webminar or Q/A where I can explain how the process works (or doesn’t).
Best
Ronald A. Zisman

]]> By: HP http://www.uscustomssaga.com/2010/01/us-customs-does-not-allow-conference-speakers-my-experience/#comment-39 HP Fri, 11 Jun 2010 16:53:03 +0000 http://www.lyndseo.com/?p=459#comment-39 I have same problem in reverse. US Citizen blacklisted by Canadian customs. Similar details from almost 10 years ago. Still sticks with me to date with no way to clear according to Canadian Immigration. I thought that NAFTA was supposed to help I have same problem in reverse. US Citizen blacklisted by Canadian customs. Similar details from almost 10 years ago. Still sticks with me to date with no way to clear according to Canadian Immigration. I thought that NAFTA was supposed to help

]]> By: Ash Nallawalla http://www.uscustomssaga.com/2010/01/us-customs-does-not-allow-conference-speakers-my-experience/#comment-38 Ash Nallawalla Wed, 26 May 2010 22:51:53 +0000 http://www.lyndseo.com/?p=459#comment-38 Some more comments - Although Australians are among those who get a Visa Waiver, our passports are still stamped B1 or B2 if allowed entry. The ESTA is an electronic version of the green visa waiver form we still have to complete at the border. Getting rejected at the ESTA stage just means you needn't bother buying a plane ticket, since you will get sent home on the next plane. It merely gives the US agencies time to check you out well in advance -- you are still at the mercy of the INS officer at the border. I was horrified to read the advice to take a resume with you. If you have seen any of the UK/AU/NZ "Customs" or "Airport" type of shows, you'll know that possessing resumes and graduation records are a sure sign that you are intending to overstay and work illegally. Hoping to see you at Pubcon in November. Some more comments – Although Australians are among those who get a Visa Waiver, our passports are still stamped B1 or B2 if allowed entry. The ESTA is an electronic version of the green visa waiver form we still have to complete at the border. Getting rejected at the ESTA stage just means you needn’t bother buying a plane ticket, since you will get sent home on the next plane. It merely gives the US agencies time to check you out well in advance — you are still at the mercy of the INS officer at the border.

I was horrified to read the advice to take a resume with you. If you have seen any of the UK/AU/NZ “Customs” or “Airport” type of shows, you’ll know that possessing resumes and graduation records are a sure sign that you are intending to overstay and work illegally.

Hoping to see you at Pubcon in November.

]]> By: Brian Bailey http://www.uscustomssaga.com/2010/01/us-customs-does-not-allow-conference-speakers-my-experience/#comment-37 Brian Bailey Sun, 18 Apr 2010 22:26:28 +0000 http://www.lyndseo.com/?p=459#comment-37 What a load of crap on the part of US Customs. They should be ASAHAMED of themselves for treating a friendly and legitimate visit by their best friends (they don't have many) in the world. Screw them. What a load of crap on the part of US Customs. They should be ASAHAMED of themselves for treating a friendly and legitimate visit by their best friends (they don’t have many) in the world. Screw them.

]]> By: Canadian Rejects Road Trip | Kate Morris http://www.uscustomssaga.com/2010/01/us-customs-does-not-allow-conference-speakers-my-experience/#comment-36 Canadian Rejects Road Trip | Kate Morris Fri, 26 Mar 2010 18:35:00 +0000 http://www.lyndseo.com/?p=459#comment-36 [...] GET ALONG! Stop giving decent citizens on both sides shit for no reason. This was just as stupid as Lyndsay’s denial to the US. I know we are all about border safety, but really? A bounced $40 check? 7 years [...] [...] GET ALONG! Stop giving decent citizens on both sides shit for no reason. This was just as stupid as Lyndsay’s denial to the US. I know we are all about border safety, but really? A bounced $40 check? 7 years [...]

]]> By: Brenda http://www.uscustomssaga.com/2010/01/us-customs-does-not-allow-conference-speakers-my-experience/#comment-35 Brenda Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:30:48 +0000 http://www.lyndseo.com/?p=459#comment-35 I went through the very same type of ordeal, held for 6.5 hours interogated by 4 officers (with huge egos) they were nothing short of being rude, intimidating bullies. For over 11 years I would cross the border, into the US from BC, Canada...never a problem. One day I was the lucky winner of the random check. My car was search with a dog, my purse taken away, my body padded down, then yelled at, screamed at with finger pointed in my face, the supervisor was accusing me of trying to live in the us, because I wore gold band on my thumb, he accused me taking my wedding band off my ring finger and placing it on my thumb. I urged him to try to take that ring off my thumb, it won't come off without being cut, I've worn it there for almost 7 years. I had proof of all Ties and Equity with me. Nothing I said was believed, once they decide to make you a criminal you will remain flagged. It has been over 9 months since that day I was escorted out, denied entry, and to this day when I go back through, I am held for at least 2 hours while they dissect every piece of paperwork I show them in my Ties and Equity package. To my knowledge there is not re-course. Land of the Free, is a JOKE, the USA should keep putting that wall of china up, and keep themselves in, including Wallmart. Yes, I'm pissed. I'm tired of the red tape, tired of the bullies, and frankly it's not wonder the American government is disliked so much. Do you know that in the codes, it states, every officer has the right to use HIS own discretion, and you CAN NOT object or get what he writes in your file changed EVER!!! I went through the very same type of ordeal, held for 6.5 hours interogated by 4 officers (with huge egos) they were nothing short of being rude, intimidating bullies. For over 11 years I would cross the border, into the US from BC, Canada…never a problem. One day I was the lucky winner of the random check. My car was search with a dog, my purse taken away, my body padded down, then yelled at, screamed at with finger pointed in my face, the supervisor was accusing me of trying to live in the us, because I wore gold band on my thumb, he accused me taking my wedding band off my ring finger and placing it on my thumb. I urged him to try to take that ring off my thumb, it won’t come off without being cut, I’ve worn it there for almost 7 years. I had proof of all Ties and Equity with me. Nothing I said was believed, once they decide to make you a criminal you will remain flagged. It has been over 9 months since that day I was escorted out, denied entry, and to this day when I go back through, I am held for at least 2 hours while they dissect every piece of paperwork I show them in my Ties and Equity package. To my knowledge there is not re-course.
Land of the Free, is a JOKE, the USA should keep putting that wall of china up, and keep themselves in, including Wallmart. Yes, I’m pissed. I’m tired of the red tape, tired of the bullies, and frankly it’s not wonder the American government is disliked so much. Do you know that in the codes, it states, every officer has the right to use HIS own discretion, and you CAN NOT object or get what he writes in your file changed EVER!!!

]]> By: atroon http://www.uscustomssaga.com/2010/01/us-customs-does-not-allow-conference-speakers-my-experience/#comment-34 atroon Sat, 23 Jan 2010 03:52:16 +0000 http://www.lyndseo.com/?p=459#comment-34 Lyndsey, As an American, I'm embarrassed that you had to go through this while traveling legitimately. I've crossed several times in and out of Calgary from the US and it's always a pleasure to get there, and painful to return. Nothing like having your suitcase contents homogenized. Bruce Schneier posted this video from the RMR on his website lately...perhaps consider it fair warning? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZfbTlYpKYo Lyndsey,

As an American, I’m embarrassed that you had to go through this while traveling legitimately. I’ve crossed several times in and out of Calgary from the US and it’s always a pleasure to get there, and painful to return. Nothing like having your suitcase contents homogenized.

Bruce Schneier posted this video from the RMR on his website lately…perhaps consider it fair warning?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZfbTlYpKYo

]]> By: Kristy Bolsinger http://www.uscustomssaga.com/2010/01/us-customs-does-not-allow-conference-speakers-my-experience/#comment-33 Kristy Bolsinger Thu, 21 Jan 2010 20:07:20 +0000 http://www.lyndseo.com/?p=459#comment-33 Oh Lynds :( I'm so sorry you had to and continue to still go through this! Lame. You were most definitely missed!! Oh Lynds :(
I’m so sorry you had to and continue to still go through this! Lame.
You were most definitely missed!!

]]> By: Brett Tabke http://www.uscustomssaga.com/2010/01/us-customs-does-not-allow-conference-speakers-my-experience/#comment-31 Brett Tabke Wed, 20 Jan 2010 20:56:49 +0000 http://www.lyndseo.com/?p=459#comment-31 Lyndsay, I have never heard of this before. I have seen a few people get hassled when they said they were going to a conference in a Pub before, but nothing like your case. If a letter of support from conference chairs would help, I am sure we could round up several ;-) Brett Lyndsay, I have never heard of this before. I have seen a few people get hassled when they said they were going to a conference in a Pub before, but nothing like your case.

If a letter of support from conference chairs would help, I am sure we could round up several ;-)

Brett

]]> By: MustangGirl http://www.uscustomssaga.com/2010/01/us-customs-does-not-allow-conference-speakers-my-experience/#comment-32 MustangGirl Wed, 20 Jan 2010 15:03:48 +0000 http://www.lyndseo.com/?p=459#comment-32 Thanks Brett. We will definitely do that for next November! Sorry I can't make it to Dallas but at this point, it might be a good thing. Thanks Brett. We will definitely do that for next November! Sorry I can’t make it to Dallas but at this point, it might be a good thing.

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