tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14114712.post6110909250732003234..comments2024-03-03T02:04:07.138-08:00Comments on ADD / XOR / ROL: halvar.flakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12486016980670992738noreply@blogger.comBlogger116125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14114712.post-21443726060791524602009-12-05T17:04:58.236-08:002009-12-05T17:04:58.236-08:00Only just came across this blog. I was denied entr...Only just came across this blog. I was denied entry about 18 months ago. Plane landed at 6pm, cleared immigration, just picked up my luggage and inbetween the 100 meters from the baggage area and the exit to the airport I was intercepted by a CBP officer. 6 hours later I was transported to a detention facility prior to my removal from the states. (Entry under Visa waiver also). 17 hours I was locked away in a cell, isolated from the rest of the world. I'm not famous or known in any circles such as yourself (Blogger host) or Russell Brand, (British comedian also denied entry) But I have been there and shared the experience. The cornbread wasnt too bad, much better than the cold milky looking pancake also known as grits.Ignatioushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03050555284144589865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14114712.post-22770474908680385072009-01-18T21:40:00.000-08:002009-01-18T21:40:00.000-08:00That's too bad!!! I'm really sorry. By the way gre...That's too bad!!! I'm really sorry. By the way great to know that you love South America, I'm from Colombia and I know you would have no trouble at all getting here. You're welcome anytime! ;0)G. Sophie C. https://www.blogger.com/profile/13687432919880570824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14114712.post-29933624832781595402008-07-23T07:36:00.000-07:002008-07-23T07:36:00.000-07:00I'm a resident of Silicon Valley, and am sorry thi...I'm a resident of Silicon Valley, and am sorry this has happened. Your service is very valuable to the Tech industry. I don't think sending you home will help the Web security hole that was recently found. Good luck and let us know when you will be in San Jose again.mcarrierihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08141700199805831289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14114712.post-45402920870168634182008-03-14T12:27:00.000-07:002008-03-14T12:27:00.000-07:00Typical US "we're the center of the known universe...Typical US "we're the center of the known universe" beauraucratic nonsense. One of the main reasons I am trying to get papers to move to Europe for good.<BR/><BR/>I'm sorry this has happened to you, it's really a disgrace. This really irritates me because they don't make things any easier on it's citizens.<BR/><BR/>For what it's worth, I was detained and interviewed for 2 1/2 hours upon entering the US recently--And I'm a citizen with a valid US passport!!<BR/><BR/>Again, I am sorry this has happened to you. Best of luck in the future.thepartycrasherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05844814252216317005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14114712.post-42844837280124382392008-02-28T13:56:00.000-08:002008-02-28T13:56:00.000-08:00I am a 47 year old photo-journalist working for th...I am a 47 year old photo-journalist working for the int. media worldwide since 1986 and have just experienced a nightmare of going through the third I-Visa renewing process in my life at the US-Embassy in Berlin with no succsess. Since a year you have to go through a personnal interview in Berlin and provide different documents. Since my laptop incl. my passport with a I-Visa (Journalist) was stolen from my car during a job in southern France I needed to renew all the stuff,...sifff what a hazzle ! Offcourse I did'nt read the small printed lines in the internet documents of the embassy saying, you cant take a cell-Phone into the embassy building. Coming from Hamburg by train I did needed to take it anyway. They send me away but I found a deposit at the bakery around the corner..., second, realising I have lost my bank receipt for the fees to be paid in advance.... the second shock and allready I felt like a criminal because the lady was anything than polite... so I paid my second 94,32 Euros (in addition to the train fare and a day with no income) third after 3x finger prints I got the unpleasant news that my 3 different photos don't match the regulations,.. too dark ! ( I am a photographer), another 6,-Euros one floor above... after another hour waiting time I was happy to hear my name announced and I proceeded to a little interviewing box that reminded me of the old dark east German times... It took the clerk only 10 seconds to make clear that I can walk without my visa. I did'nt bring the contract with my Media Agency. I tried to explain that I am freelance. Which means no contracts with no one. The reaction : "I told you you need a contract" Me: I cant bring a contract because I dont have a boss... and so on, 2 Minutes later I was in the street again, having spent 265,44 Euros and 10 hours for nothing. The only person that was interested in my story was the old lady at the bakery... Her comment was'nt anything nice about American people. Still I am totally confused, after 22 years of international work I have been denied to enter the US with the Visa that I have had 3 times before already. I never spent more tha 7-10 days in the US, leaving a lot of good old cash in many places. Still I dont know what kind of contract with what kind of Media-Company I should have... Why did'nt the man from the embassy allow me to explain my situation and look up all my papers and magazines that I brought to prove what a nice photographer I am. It has become a very dark world out there...I felt like a little dumm schoolboy. My head was hot and read and I was so embarrassed and felt humiliated like a sick dog. What can I do ? I am getting afraid of what happens in the world and in the USA after beeing a great fan of american life for such a long time. My suggestion : Stay out of that country if you can ! There is some bad memorys in my German soul...cleotheobeohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06374481545217452366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14114712.post-42340021731269029762008-02-28T13:39:00.000-08:002008-02-28T13:39:00.000-08:00Respect for all who comment on this subject in suc...Respect for all who comment on this subject in such a considerate mood. I am a 47 year old photo-journalist working for the int. media worldwide since 1986 and have just experienced a nightmare of going through the third I-Visa renewing process in my life at the US-Embassy in Berlin with no succsess.Since a year you have to go through a personnal interview in Berlin and provide different documents. Offcourse I did'nt read the small printed lines that say, you cant take a cell-Phone into the building. Coming from Hamburg by train I did need it anyway.They send me away but I found a deposit at the bakery around the corner..., second, realising I have lost my bank receipt for the fees to be paid in advance.... the second shock and allready I felt like a criminal because the lady was anything than polite... so I paid my second 94,32 Euros (in addition to the train fare and a day with no income) third after 3x finger prints I got the unpleasant news that my 3 different photos dont match the regulations,..too dark ! ( I am a photographer), another 6,-Euros one floor above... after another hour waiting time I was happy to hear my name announced and I proceeded to a little interviewing box that reminded me of the old dark east German times... It took the clerk only 10 seconds to make clear that I can walk without my visa. I did'nt bring the contract with my Media Agency. I tried to explain that I am freelance. Which means no contracts with no one. The reaction : "I told you you need a contract" Me: I cant bring a contract because I dont have a boss... and so on, 2 Minutes later I was in the street again, having spent 265,44 Euros and 10 hours for nothing. The only person that was interested in my story was the old lady at the bakery... Her comment was'nt anything nice about American people. Still I am totally confused, after 22 years of international work I have been denied to enter the US with the Visa that I have had 3 times before already. Still I dont know what kind of contract with what kind of Media-Company I should have... It has become a very dark world out there...I felt like a little dumm schoolboy. My head was hot and read and I was so embarrassed and felt humiliated like a sick dog. What can I do ? I am getting afraid of what happens in the world and in the USA after beeing a great fan of american life for such a long time. My suggestion : Stay out when ever you can !cleotheobeohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06374481545217452366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14114712.post-29240195886459550172007-08-20T18:58:00.000-07:002007-08-20T18:58:00.000-07:00I'm sorry this happened, but the exact same thing ...I'm sorry this happened, but the exact same thing happened to my boyfriend from England. We further complicated matters by taking bad advice from a Visa agency, only for him to get subsequently denied for a visa (visitor's or worker's!). We are currently at a loss, so I am incredibly interested to see how your situation works out; and if you speak to an immigration lawyer, please let me know what (s)he says. Ours was of no help. I'd love to hear from you! Thanks! nwilinski@gmail.comUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13967677600647761481noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14114712.post-90649166412163104882007-08-15T13:49:00.000-07:002007-08-15T13:49:00.000-07:00I'm sorry to tell you this but that's your fault.....I'm sorry to tell you this but that's your fault...Lesson learned: "Work" and "B1/B2 visa" can't be used in the same sentence!<BR/><BR/>Good luck with your visa...Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14267282612886695500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14114712.post-7175132476275929072007-08-15T09:18:00.000-07:002007-08-15T09:18:00.000-07:00as its a catch all it will never be right 100% of ...as its a catch all it will never be right 100% of the time but I think its a case of ,best to upset a few folk than let some sneak past ? I had a friend from japn try to visit me in london but she was sent straight back because a pair of scissors were found in her luggage? and as she is a hairdresser they sumised she was here to work! nonsense of course but there is a logic to the madness.punkypaulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01376477797280242007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14114712.post-21774952807695946752007-08-15T09:17:00.000-07:002007-08-15T09:17:00.000-07:00as its a catch all it will never be right 100% of ...as its a catch all it will never be right 100% of the time but I think its a case of ,best to upset a few folk than let some sneak past ? I had a friend from japn try to visit me in london but she was sent straight back because a pair of scissors were found in her luggage? and as she is a hairdresser they sumised she was here to work! nonsense of course but there is a logic to the madness.punkypaulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01376477797280242007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14114712.post-1882493372615051962007-08-14T08:45:00.000-07:002007-08-14T08:45:00.000-07:00To the people that said it was his own fault: Mayb...To the people that said it was his own fault: Maybe that's true but then why didn't the immigration morons follow the letter of the law when he came to speak the 7 other times? It's the inconsistency and the lack of flexibility that is frustrating. There is no reason other than pure bureaucracy that this happened to him and it is ridiculous. I am embarrassed and ashamed of our customs people too.Kylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15616684109736965922noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14114712.post-86130050696698189652007-08-04T21:30:00.000-07:002007-08-04T21:30:00.000-07:0003aww..pretty harsh..do you give out sessions in o...03aww..pretty harsh..do you give out sessions in other countries too..like in asia,middle east or wherever..they wont treat you that harsh...Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08338525885617808469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14114712.post-39315569130890526482007-08-04T19:22:00.000-07:002007-08-04T19:22:00.000-07:00Next time, just ooze over the Mexican border as an...Next time, just ooze over the Mexican border as an illegal alien. You'll not only be welcomed, you'll get welfare, free housing and medical care. Simple. You just did the stupid thing by being honest, employed, and European. We can't have THAT, now can we?.https://www.blogger.com/profile/01397738872913908260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14114712.post-48945987878845234562007-08-03T06:09:00.000-07:002007-08-03T06:09:00.000-07:00I have refused all work in the US for the past 3 y...I have refused all work in the US for the past 3 years as a result of this sort of Immigrations nonsense. Their loss not ours.MikeRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17672741099780811960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14114712.post-86442994370598426492007-08-02T11:17:00.000-07:002007-08-02T11:17:00.000-07:00I've read a lot about you and the (in my opinion) ...I've read a lot about you and the (in my opinion) critical training and insight you give to various government agencies... this is a slap in the face and while i agree that you probably could have been better informed and possibly more prepared, I still concur that the immigration policy is overhauled entirely too often... I can see why Mr. Gates is opening an office in Canada... there is a lot of overly reduntant laws involved in aquiring a business visa... and no matter how much americans want to believe that we are the best and the brightest... we aren't. I've worked the IT field in the U.S. Government for almost 5 years and I have learned many lessons from your intellectual genius in the field. As for those of you on here that are degrading this blog for saying what happened then you are both naive and ignorant... When a person is frustrated they vent it through whatever source they choose to convey the information... it doesn't sound like whining to me... it sounds like frustration at a situation that while it might have been avoided through better preparation and information, still ruined an instructors lesson and no one is happy about that if they have any passion about the subject matter they instruct... So in closing, best of luck, and hopefully they don't play any games with your new visa...Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11947812787655574199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14114712.post-25896471580314880082007-08-02T08:51:00.000-07:002007-08-02T08:51:00.000-07:00My apologies for your inconvenience, your frustrat...My apologies for your inconvenience, your frustration, your waste of time and money.<BR/><BR/>There is no sense to what is happening in this day and age.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09207664749430215280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14114712.post-73122717653517351642007-08-02T07:34:00.000-07:002007-08-02T07:34:00.000-07:00I am an US Citizen married to a Canadian Citizen w...I am an US Citizen married to a Canadian Citizen who has her green card (living in our home in the US). While I can also empathize as I had a similar experience while entering Canada, I will say that I am pleased that they followed the letter of the law and did not let you in under those pretenses. The proper documentation for anything not "recreational" that you do while in the US is crucial to timely passage into/out of the country. I had an analagous experience one time while going to do a favor and "fill in" for a Canadian reseller partner whose trainer fell ill. Bottom line, I had to awaken the VP at his house late on a Sunday night and have him fax over the proper documentation to Canadian Customs.<BR/><BR/>Sorry about your experience (very untimely) but we all have to cut our teeth sometime!Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05698659710562242702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14114712.post-57618469012736273162007-08-02T06:23:00.000-07:002007-08-02T06:23:00.000-07:00DUH - some CEO that doesn't check the rules.Oh, th...DUH - some CEO that doesn't check the rules.<BR/><BR/>Oh, thats right, you intended to do it the right way but never got around to it.Skaterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03759213114862800255noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14114712.post-7364384026306397352007-08-02T04:30:00.000-07:002007-08-02T04:30:00.000-07:00I was banned from NEW ZEALAND after marrying my ge...I was banned from NEW ZEALAND after marrying my german wife(now ex) I had to goto germany and live, i mean "start again from scratch", so i am sure you must be either laughing to yourself or wondering if actually helping their unintelligent beings within their government is actually worth its weight in gold... hmmm. I ended up with BMW and loved every minute of it, designed software and learnt to speak the language over the five years there, now im back in NZ and not feeling like giving any help to the people who I thought were on the same team as myself. What does a "Samurai" do when his hands are tied? He sits on them. Kia Kaha brother! Renton.Randomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16259623205125231935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14114712.post-71266650962174147282007-08-02T03:30:00.000-07:002007-08-02T03:30:00.000-07:00To all that say "Ou you were coming in US on busin...To all that say "Ou you were coming in US on business you should have visa, it is the law" this is a matter o interpretation. As godzilla nicely pointed the first agent cleared him while the second had another opinion. <BR/>This and the fact that he had no problems entering US before shows how lame excuse it is that he simply didn't follow the law. If he would state the purpose of his visit a bit differently or the agents interpreted the purpose of his visit differently (remember they needed 4 1/2 hours to make the interpretation which of course confirmed how right they were to stop him) he would enter as he did before. He was attending a conference where he intended to do what people do at conferences, so does one need a business visa to go to a conference in US now? If this is indeed the case, just state it out clearly. I'm certain that there is a lot of reasonable and influential people, who would oppose to that since this is not in the best interest for USwidebluehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16370653905680727248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14114712.post-12932867367434421462007-08-01T19:34:00.000-07:002007-08-01T19:34:00.000-07:00The way I interpret this, there was a bit of an er...The way I interpret this, there was a bit of an error on your part for not digging into the entry requirements for the United States and securing the appropriate paperwork. Entry requirements to the U.S.A shift in varying degrees.<BR/><BR/>That being said, I do believe the way it was handled was inappropriate and over the top. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents can deny or allow entry based on their "good judgment" if the see fit. Speaking at a conference should not be grounds for denying entry to the country, much less causing you to no longer enter the country on the work visa waiver program.<BR/><BR/>I wish you the best of luck securing entry into the U.S.A and I look forward to someday having a chance to attend one of your presentations.Mikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05312271487955411684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14114712.post-35018390400005498962007-08-01T16:53:00.000-07:002007-08-01T16:53:00.000-07:00You claim that in the past US immigration official...<I><BR/>You claim that in the past US immigration officials knowingly allowed you to enter the country for business purposes on a tourist visa. I’m sorry, but that part of your story just doesn’t wash.<BR/></I><BR/><BR/>First of all the visa waiver program is not a tourist visa. Secondly I've repeatedly stated "business" as my reason for visiting without problem.<BR/><BR/>Halvar's probably right about that "work" word, though. That's really sad.Troffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08052594109965873482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14114712.post-28081072658914084112007-08-01T10:56:00.000-07:002007-08-01T10:56:00.000-07:00im from India.All i want to say is, this is bullsh...im from India.<BR/>All i want to say is, this is bullshit. Unhuman.<BR/>if you want to cause damage, u can do it from any part of the world.<BR/>What does it need?<BR/>a computer and internet.TheOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00208628471644109324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14114712.post-43596026250190915402007-08-01T09:33:00.000-07:002007-08-01T09:33:00.000-07:00As an American citizen, I apologize for the time y...As an American citizen, I apologize for the time you lost and the rudeness of this situation.<BR/><BR/>Governments in general, and my government in particular, often mistake nit-picking attention to detail as security. As others have pointed out, such challenges are typical of the new American atmosphere of militarism and the martial stance of the people who think they are guarding the national interest. The BlackHat conference should have investigated possible problems for presenters and offered you some guidance before your travel plans were finalized.<BR/><BR/>That said, I wish to re-ask the obvious: Why move people around to have a conference? The costs of travel alone makes me wonder why we all go to the same place to discuss things? Is it because we really just want a trip to 'Vegas?<BR/><BR/>In a world running out of resources, lets advocate for telecommunications and telepresence at every possible opportunity.<BR/><BR/>The conference can display you, live, via several methods and you would have full interactivity with the conference participants.<BR/><BR/>Of course the "after party" won't be the same!<BR/><BR/>But please, all readers of this, we owe it to those who come after us to promote telecommuting at every level. If the high-tech community says its "cool" then it might catch on. <BR/><BR/>Please, let us all tell our bosses, reporters, and governments that telecommuting will save more fuel than all the new drilling in Alaska or Arctic could ever produce.<BR/><BR/>Lights, Camera, Action!Americo Futurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01596298006577792828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14114712.post-62281987030394810452007-08-01T09:04:00.000-07:002007-08-01T09:04:00.000-07:00If the US begins to treat Europeans like Africans ...If the US begins to treat Europeans like Africans (one here) what should Arabs expect?SMMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04078340659833191059noreply@blogger.com