The Land of the Free, and the Home of the Brave.
Thursday, September 30th, 2004 09:16 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
caddymanAs of today, anyone visiting the US from the UK will be fingerprinted and photographed by US Immigration.
As of tomorrow, any new passport issued in the UK must be biometric if you want to use it to get into America, unless they've changed their minds and I've missed it.
Despite having friends in the US who I would like to visit again at some point when my finances are more robust, I'm not sure I can be bothered with all the hassle it involves any more.
As of tomorrow, any new passport issued in the UK must be biometric if you want to use it to get into America, unless they've changed their minds and I've missed it.
Despite having friends in the US who I would like to visit again at some point when my finances are more robust, I'm not sure I can be bothered with all the hassle it involves any more.
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(no subject)
Date: 2004-09-30 01:27 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2004-09-30 01:41 am (UTC)Here's hoping things change real soon now.
(no subject)
Date: 2004-09-30 02:48 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2004-09-30 02:55 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2004-09-30 03:09 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2004-09-30 03:38 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2004-09-30 05:33 am (UTC)Signing the back of a few photos is one thing......
(no subject)
Date: 2004-09-30 05:34 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2004-09-30 03:10 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2004-09-30 03:18 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2004-09-30 04:11 am (UTC)It's a shame cos I would love to explore various parts of the States.
(no subject)
Date: 2004-09-30 05:03 am (UTC)I asked my originally-American boss (who hasn't lived there for many years, but kept the accent) why there was a real chance of Dubya getting in again this year after he's made such a mess, and he told me he believes it's because most of the voters don't actually care what happens outside their own little towns. So pissing off a lot of foreigners, including the country that (to our shame) has been the US' staunchest ally lately, obviously doesn't matter.
Of course, the pulling for increased use of biometrics and ID cards in this country is even more worrying. I think Mr Blunkett has finally figured out that sneering about 'airy-fairy liberals' doesn't actually count as rational debate. Not that that has dented his determination any.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/09/21/id_pilot_survey_doubts/
(no subject)
Date: 2004-09-30 06:27 am (UTC)See you later.
(no subject)
Date: 2004-09-30 06:31 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2004-09-30 06:36 am (UTC)I don't actually know where Mr P is doing his talk... ;-)
(no subject)
Date: 2004-09-30 06:42 am (UTC)Here's a map
(no subject)
Date: 2004-09-30 08:03 am (UTC)Did you get my email etc with my mobile number? I haven't received your email.
(no subject)
Date: 2004-09-30 08:13 am (UTC)if you think thats bad...
Date: 2004-09-30 04:35 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2004-09-30 05:57 am (UTC)Also, I know this will shock you, but I fully support your concerns about biometric passports.....
(no subject)
Date: 2004-09-30 06:06 am (UTC)And yet you are OK with the proposals for biometric ID cards...?
(no subject)
Date: 2004-09-30 08:01 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2004-10-01 01:58 am (UTC)Another reason I'm not going to get a Family Christmas
Date: 2004-10-01 10:01 am (UTC)Re: Another reason I'm not going to get a Family Christmas
Date: 2004-10-01 10:06 am (UTC)A muted defense (sic) of US policy
Date: 2004-10-01 11:15 am (UTC)Congress, however, rejected this move and allowed only a one-year extension. Those pesky checks and balances...
The truth is, it's always been a hassle getting into the States, just as it's a hassle getting into the UK (my good lady wife was fingerprinted on her arrival in the UK as a student back in 1987, and made to report to Thames Valley Police as well). If you don't want to be fingerprinted on entry, you can always get a visa -- the good lady wife had to go through those hurdles even with a visa.
The US also has an illegal immigration problem that dwarfs anything the UK has. So I'm inclined to the view that the extra hassle is probably justifiable, but on the other hand I'm not that inclined to leave the country again. Citizenship is looking like a more and more attractive option, especially given the increasingly authoritarian nature of... (nope. not going to go there. I'll rant on the blog instead).