Americans abroad – prepare for more harrasement in Europe
In 2007 I flew to Geneva Switzerland on my way to ski in Chamonix. One of the most economical and efficient ways to get to Chamonix from Geneva is by bus, so by bus I would go.
I boarded the bus at the Geneva airport and set off towards the world world-renowned French Alpine resort. I was the only American on the bus which happened to have many other non-Europeans on board. There were Canadians, Japanese and many other nationalities represented on the bus. Guess which nationality was pulled off the bus at the border to have their bags completely hand-searched and to be patted down – treated like a criminal because of their nationality? If you guessed the American, you are correct. I don’t blame these border guards. Surely they’re simply following some unwritten protocol. In fairness, have you ever stopped to notice how foreigners are treated when they enter the United States? It’s bad enough being an American returning to the U.S. via LAX…I do that at least once per year and dread it more and more each time…but foreigners…they’re treated like dirtbags, or at least this has been my observation.
Now, under the auspices of creating more effective security in a September 12th world, the Department of Homeland Security (and presumably, the Dept. of State) will be requiring European visitors to the U.S . to provide personal information electronically prior to their departure from home.
From a Reuters Article
“The EU’s presidency agrees with new U.S. rules that will oblige Europeans flying to the United States to give personal data over the internet in advance, its minister said on Thursday.But the minister, Dragutin Mate of Slovenia, said that some European Union states had misgivings about giving information on health. The bloc’s executive Commission said it was waiting for more clarification from Washington.”
At issue specifically is the requirement to provide detailed medical information which, in my mind and the mind of many others, should be a private matter.
At any rate, as it sounds as if Europeans will be subject to more bureaucracy when they visit the U.S. you can bet that EU members will be reciprocating.
