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Registration for visa-free travelers to the US: A solution in search of a problem
We already know how much of a pain arranging a visa can be. But for travelers to the United States who are not required to obtain a visa-- including citizens of most of Western Europe, Australia, and Japan-- visiting the US is about to become more of a hassle, as Jeff told us earlier this week.
A new security regulation will require even travelers who don't need visas to enter the US to register online at least three days before their visit. The rule, which will be announced on Tuesday by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is aimed at preventing terrorists from "friendly" countries from entering the US. As of January 2009, travelers to the US will be required to provide certain personal information to the DHS before they arrive, and the info will be valid for two years. (More here.)
It's been, what, almost seven years since 9-11? One might wonder how the US has avoided another attack without such a "necessary" provision already in place. Just dumb luck, I guess. And why is Homeland Security waiting until January to effect this change? Do terrorists vacation between June and December?
The truth, it seems to me, is that this is a solution in search of a problem. Checking the background information of passengers might prevent the dumbest would-be terrorists from boarding US-bound flights, but I'm not sure those are the ones we need to be concerned about. Any remotely sophisticated terrorists, like those of the 9-11 attacks, will be able to find ways around the new regulations. What the new rules actually do, rather than make the US demonstrably safer, is create another hoop for foreign travelers to jump through before they visit (and spend money in) the United States.
To all the American travelers out there: imagine if the countries with which the US is "friendly" treated you like a criminal before you even arrived. What would you say about such a place?
Filed under: United States, Transportation, News
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
nzm Jun 7th 2008 9:33AM
It's a farcical situation.
For the past 2-3 years before we've boarded any aircraft for the US, airline employees have been taking details of where we'll be staying when in the US.
We then repeat this information on the Visa waiver form which we present to US Immigration on the way in and our fingerprints are taken.
We rinse and repeat the whole scenario on our next visit - and the one after that - and the one after that - ad infinitum and ad nauseum.
There are already murmurs within some EU countries that, if this goes ahead, US citizens will have to do the same when visiting countries in Europe.
Eva Jun 7th 2008 10:29AM
This is crazy. To put it in perspective, imagine your big post-college European backpacking trip - did you ALWAYS know 3 days in advance which country you were bound for next? Heck, I missed a flight in south eastern France once (transit strikes, surprise!) and, easy as pie, crossed the border into Switzerland to catch another from Geneva.
I know, I know, the US is a lot bigger (and farther away from the countries affected) than many European countries, so people don't border-hop as much. But do British business travelers always get 3 days' warning when they have to take a trip to New York?
I think you're right, Aaron. DHS wants to appear to be doing something in the public eye, when the reality is that what prevents terror attacks is not what you can see (liquid bans or fingerprinting), but the behind-the-scenes intelligence work, to catch people before they get to the airport. Obviously, whatever they've been doing on that front for the past seven years has been working, so why all the show?
Thank goodness this doesn't apply to Canada (yet).
Alison Jun 7th 2008 11:11AM
Since I have family in the States (over 20 people, including my own sister), I've travelled there in less than 36 hours notice. What would happen if a family member died, or some other emergency ... have to postpone a trip due to paranoia by a government?
Secondly, my parents don't use the internet ... they are of a generation that's set in older ways. Why does the US government assume all travellers fit into a bracket that uses online space. They travel to the States frequently ... hmm?
This is not about genuine security but an assertion of power.
Ray Digby Jun 8th 2008 6:07AM
Remember the law of unintended consequences. At the margin, DHS long-term couldn't have thought of a better way to discourage business and tourist travel to the US. Visiting America is becoming a giant pain in the buttocks for anybody outside of the country - and if foreign visitors have a choice, they will go somewhere else.
As one previous blogger noted, EU countries will likely extend the same "courtesy" to US travelers - welcome to the world of diplomatic reciprocity!
jackson Jul 5th 2008 8:44AM
LADIES AND GENTLE AM A UAGNDA NATIONAL WHO HAS GOT A REAM OF LIVING IN AMMERICA
BUT I DO KNOW HOW CAN MY DREAM COME TRUE
camara lancei Jul 7th 2008 3:50AM
when will all this things would stop? i travel to HONGKONG, for tourist,on arriver,they refused me entry.i then pay extra money to return back.
TARSICIUS OWUSU-DONKOR Jul 28th 2008 8:43AM
I NEED A VISA TO START WITH A JOB IN U.S
THANKS
dave Aug 5th 2008 3:49PM
i want to know more abt this site