A dear friend from Austria recently endured a humiliating experience while entering the United States at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). I will tell her story here, in hopes that it will raise awareness over the horrible way women are treated by misogynistic US customs and border patrol officials.
The Appalling Treatment Of A Woman By Misogynistic Border Agents At LAX
First, my friend is a wealthy Austrian national who is in her 40s and lives in Vienna. She is a very experienced traveler, has traveled to over 70 countries, and visited many countries in Africa, Asia, and South America solo.
She arrived on Austrian Airlines at LAX to spend two weeks with friends. This was her third trip to the US in the past six months as she has a number of friendships here and was going with a group on a week of camping in the Pacific Northwest. Her final destination was Portland (PDX): she had a flight connection on Delta. She had flown in business class on Austrian. With the money and ability to travel, she spends a good part of each year visiting many countries around the world, including the US, a land that she loves.
Upon arrival, she was asked her purpose of being here, showed a return ticket two weeks later, provided hotel information, and explained about her planned trip to explore the Pacific Northwest. The agent questioned her about money to which she responded by showing five credit cards and cash (and her return business class ticket).
The agents kept asking why she would travel alone like this. She said, “I travel alone to many places in the world. My husband is busy but I now have the time and enjoy it. Why wouldn’t I?” She also added that she was meeting friends here and would be traveling with them upon arrival in PDX.
The agent was not impressed and kept mumbling about coming three times to the US this year. And that it was “strange” that she was “not with her husband.” She even made a joke, “I’ve been married for 20 years and he is quite happy when I leave!” He didn’t laugh.
It Gets Worse In Secondary Screening
He then told her she would need to go to another area for secondary questioning. She was led there and waited. About 20 minutes later, another agent came and asked her basically the same questions and determined that she would need to be taken to a private room for further questioning. She was led to this room and placed in it. She was told to wait and did so alone for 30 more minutes.
After this three agents, led by a female this time, arrived and sat down around her looking over documents. On four occasions they repeated the question in different ways:
- “Where is your husband?”
- “Why is your husband not with you?”
- “Why would you, as a woman, travel without your husband?”
- “Why would you go on an outdoor backpacking trip without your husband as this could be dangerous?”
Each time she answered the same as before and each time got the same suspicious looks. When she again explained that she was meeting friends and she was only flying alone, they demanded all their names, where they lived, and occupations.
Then they pressed her on her occupation. This is where they really got suspicious. When she said that she is a women’s counselor (a part-time endeavor that is mostly done on a complimentary basis to help young struggling women restart their lives) they started laying in deeper with questions.
“So you make no money?”
She explained that her husband is quite successful and she is now finished raising her daughter who is a university student and thus enjoying more free time exploring. Further, she added that her occupation is one that fulfills her and she is more than able to sustain this lifestyle given her husband’s financial success. They then wanted her husband’s name and his business. She provided it. She again joked, “Here’s his number if you wish to call. I’m sure he will beg you not to send me back so he can enjoy a few weeks of peace!”
They did not laugh…
A Stern Warning
The woman then said that given the information she provided, they would need to inspect all of her electronic devices. She provided her iPhone and iPad to them and they poured over her social media, emails, text messages, WhatsApp, personal photos, and internet history. It was now over an hour and a half into questioning and over two hours total since she first reached an agent at LAX.
During this time she was also forbidden to use her phone, make a call, or contact anyone for advice. She was never presented with any idea of her rights (because she had none…) or given any reason for what DHS officials were concerned about.
After a total of three hours, in which she missed her connecting flight, the lead female agent finally said, “We are approving your entry this time but in the future, you may have problems if you come without your husband to the US.”
That’s a verbatim quote…a woman in her 40s, wealthy, and clearly a world traveler, was told that she may not be welcome in the USA next time without a husband with her. And this was a woman saying it!
When she asked if the agents could provide her something to take to the connecting airline about her missed connection, they did provide a handwritten note on a random piece of paper that said that she was detained for questioning and why she missed her flight. However, upon getting to Delta she was told they could not rebook her for another 24 hours as they had no seats. She then bought another ticket on American Airlines to arrive late that same night.
It Wasn’t Just Her…
While she was calm and very patient and courteous with the agents, she described an atmosphere in the public detention room as being one of the saddest things she has seen. She noticed the overwhelming majority of those being detained were women. Many were in tears and appeared scared and confused.
While it may seem acceptable to question a 22-year-old who made three trips to the U.S. in the last six months, apparently a successful, well-dressed, attractive, middle-aged woman flying business class and pulling a Rimowa is also at risk.
The sad news is that I suspect her story was not unique. Foreign visitors do not enjoy many rights when entering the USA. In fact, foreigners can be denied entry for anything: DHS officials may never tell them why they were denied entry, deport them at their own expense for no reason.
If this occurs as a foreign traveler (even if you have a visa), you have no recourse, no ability to talk to outside counsel, and, even be placed on a no-fly list that could take years of legal work and a lot of money to have removed. These decisions are apparently being made by people who seem to lack a basic college education and certainly lack manners or tact.
An Open And Shut Case Of Misogyny?
Perhaps the biggest takeaway in this is to imagine if she was a man. Imagine this 40-something man traveling to the US over the past six months on three occasions. In business class. With credit cards, bookings at top hotels, and dressed professionally. There is no doubt that no one would bat an eye. Ever.
In contrast, all women traveling alone to America are warned of their increased odds of being deported back. Apparently, you need not only a passport and an e-visa, but a husband as well…
CONCLUSION
As I wrote about yesterday in the context of a Palestinian New Yorker trying to visit Israel, nations are sovereign and are not obligated to let anyone in. But the pretense for the way my friend was treated is simply disgusting. The questions she was asked are appalling.
And in my experience of dealing with hundreds of US DHS border agents in my travels over the years, it fits in with a pattern of practice. The US is sadly one of the least-welcoming places in the world when it comes to dealing with government officials. It should not be this way.
As an American, I am ashamed of our DHS and the many folks who seem to take pleasure in hassling visitors to my country. As a male US citizen, I have never had to experience what my friend did, but her story does not surprise me. The question now is how do we root out these bad apples or if they are indeed following policy, change that policy?
I wonder how many people are refused entry in this way for no apparent reason and sent home. Are there any statistics? And how many are women compared to men? Pretty appalling and disgusting behavior by our country.
Embarrassing. Meanwhile, isn’t miss #TMFINR flying around again, lol? DHS has missed the plot.
It always amazes me how things can be so strict at customs when millions are allowed to waltz across the border without questions.
I guess they figured your friend would not be voting democrat in the future so there was no reason to go easy on her.
How could you, in a billion years, reach the conclusion you made in your second paragraph? Speaks volumes about you.
Yeah it was a joke my man, but one based on reality. That you don’t get it speaks volumes about you.
It doesn’t take long here for the MAGAtts to show their stupidity but I think you set a new speed record…..
Yes! I win again!
Seems like they said was correct.
The replay theory is true.
It’s not a Live and Let’s Fly post without some unhinged right wing tomfoolery!
This is not unhinged right wing tomfoolery my man. This is hijinks, shenanigans, and skylarking. Please do not insult my intelligence by referring to it as tomfoolery good sir. You demean us all, seriously.
Youre not even a real American go back to China #MAGA
You are correct. Liberals live dropping MAGA when they have been triggered.
Tomfoolery? You mean the truth?
I was thinking the same thing, thousands come through undocumented from god knows where and they’re giving this poor women a hard time it’s disgusting. What is wrong with this country!
You are soo right on target… WE let anyone else in without any checking at all so eventually they will get amnesty and a voter registration card with their drivers license
I think there’s a couple of things going on.
1) The suspected pretense: if you’ve ever watched To Catch a Smuggler, apparently solo female travelers arriving in LAX are considered a high risk for coming to the US for illegal sex work.
2) Unfortunately, CBP has enough garbage human beings who enjoy abusing their power to humiliate others in their ranks that they’ll use that pretense as an excuse to harass those who “fit the profile”. It’s all “for your protection”, after all, since we’re “ensuring you aren’t falling prey to human trafficking”.
The sad part is, your friend almost certainly has now had a note added to her profile, so she can expect this same type of humiliation every time she travels solo to the USA. And there’s no recourse, unless she happens to know (or one of her friends knows) a high-profile government official that can call in a favor and get her off the list. Personally I’d suggest she take her business elsewhere, and spend her hard-earned money in a country that won’t treat her in this manner. Not that the government will care.
Your point #1 sounds very plausible. I hate to draw negative generalizations on countries, but I would imagine the number of sex workers coming to the US from Austria, is almost zero. It probably is zero.
It seems to me that CBP officers should have to undergo some sort of world geography, culture, and economics training before they’re placed in this role. If you don’t have the wherewithal to understand how low risk a woman from Austria is, you may as well be denying rental cars to Puerto Rico residents at MSY for not having passports.
Better training is part of it, yes, but the reality is, some (not all, but certainly enough) CBP agents just aren’t good people and clearly get off on their power trips and enjoy humiliating others. You can train them on how to more effectively profile all you want, but how much good will that really do?
There are women from high income countries who do come to the US to engage in prostitution activities, even as some of that goes under color of “sugar daddy” type interactions with men based in America or who are visiting America.
Even before Instagram, OnlyFans and interactive live porn streaming became as commercially widespread in their reach as they are and ready vehicles to import in-person sex services, women from Switzerland, Austria, Norway, Sweden, the UK, France, Germany and many other countries would ply their trade online before coming to the US and then have a “working vacation”. It wasn’t just women from poor countries attempting to engage in this kind of stuff on visits to the US.
Is there anything exactly wrong, from a legal standpoint, with coming to the US to see a sugar daddy?
Getting provided money, goods or services for labor — and providing sexual services for material compensation is arguably a “sugar daddy”-paid employment transaction — is not legal for European citizens visiting the US without formal US work authorization.
Sexism aside, that’s not true at all. Business is a valid reason to enter the US on an ESTA. You don’t have to be affiliated with a major corporation to conduct it. Thousands of Europeans enter the US every day in order to be compensated for the time and skill.
That was my thought as well.
I think the women in any of those countries you listed could find a sugar daddy in their own country…
There are more “better heeled” “sugar daddies” to be found in the US; and being in “the game” “away” from “home” is less “socially risky” and even less risky with regard to getting caught (again?) for related crimes. And then there is the related “thrill” of being on an interesting vacation abroad.
MAGA
Zero issues with this, better safe than sorry. But unfortunately her experience is rare and there are many others that should be put through this level of scrutiny before her from what you reported about her.
However the repeated comments about her wealth are, and should be meaningless in the context of the story. And adding in a dig about the education level of the individuals who made this decision was unneeded.
What exactly could we have been “sorry” about?
Disagree on the wealth – that was to make clear that she lives a good life in Western Europe and has no desire to illegally overstay her tourist visa. That would be an absurd conclusion by DHS officials. For most Europeans, there is no desire to emigrate to the USA. Quite the contrary…
Disagree on the education as well – a bachelor’s degree will not necessarily fix this problem, but will at least expose people to other disciplines that might invite critical thinking. I am so sick of the nativist tendencies by these obnoxious border clerks who have never interacted with the people they must process each day outside of work.
Better safe than sorry? What if we arrest you and search your phone and laptop…you know, just in case?
Arrest me and check my laptop and phone? Depending on the situation, I’m fine with that, certainly nothing to hide. Walking down the street in America as a citizen? Of course not but if I fly into another country, I understand being detained is a possibility. Which is totally different than being arrested.
As for the employees, who they interact with outside of work isn’t any of our business. And certainly most of us don’t come into contact with wealthy Austrians regardless of our education level.
I’m not trying to start a huge debate here but I feel your personal friendship with this individual has you upset and ranting. To the point of insulting people doing their job, granted in a way you disagree with.
As I said earlier there are others who probably deserve this treatment before her but let’s not insult these individuals for working to try and keep our country safer.
And her wealth, education and world travels certainly should have allowed her to know this was a possibility at some point in her adventures.
CBP agents are unnecessarily adversarial in the US. I have a US passport and travel frequently. I’ve been dozens of times to Israel, Lebanon, KSA and other countries that have a very good reason to try to keep “bad people” out. I have NEVER had an experience in any of those places that is as adversarial and degrading as that with an average CBP agent.
They can absolutely do their jobs without being pricks. And it is appalling that a “free” country like mine strips the rights away from anyone (including citizens) when they’re in CBP jurisdiction.
Also, being detained is WORSE than being arrested. Once you’re arrested, a whole host of rights kicks in. You can, however, be detained indefinitely and refused access to counsel, phone call, food, water, etc.
As one of our Founding Fathers said: “Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.”
It sounds like you fit that bill to a T.
You say that. but I bet if you landed in, let’s say, China, and they held you in a room and questioned you for hours, demanded to review all of your electronics, that you would be less than enthusiastic. Would you comply? Of course. Would you feel comfortable and understanding of it all? I doubt it. And left to wonder if you might ever want to return.
You are an entitled and ignorant gassbag. And also irrelevant.
I’m laughing at you, loser! Now go sashay away.
Totally agree with you Dave. This blog is so elitist is sickening
It’s the elitists who are best positioned to make sure governmental powers don’t go so uncriticized that they get expanded so much that a law enforcement officer can legally decide to just expand your anal. cavity or investigate your lower digestive/excretory tract on a whim whenever you happen to be within 100 miles of a US border or US port of entry.
Our constitutional rights are a product of elitists not wanting populist/vulgar — in the classical sense of the vulgar — thugs being able to run roughshod over any of us.
Safe from what? Camping?
Found the CPB agent…..
Have you even looked at the US visa form in your life? Or the requirements to get a tourist visa to the US? You are required to submit your bank statements just to prove that you are worthy of making a short visit and won’t be a financial burden during your stay. So the repeated clarifications about this passenger’s wealth are extremely relevant. Please be a little more aware of your country border policies
A very interesting contrast to the article yesterday about a woman who has made tweets that support and intifada- which does call for the destruction of the state of Israel being questioned before entering Israel. I’m sure no one here will question the legitimacy of the USA, or ask Austria to suspend their visa waiver program.
“I’ve been married for 20 years and he is quite happy when I leave!”
“I’m sure he will beg you not to send me back so he can enjoy a few weeks of peace!”
Sounds like a red flag. why wouldn’t you want your attractive wife with you? Sounds like Mr. Businessman has a 25 year old side piece and thus doesn’t have to sneak around when wife is away.
It was just a joke. These ingrates at DHS apparently cannot distinguish between jest and deception.
@Matthew: if there is something I learned in many years of entering this country with visa is to not make jokes with these people. They are not your friends, they are not happy to be there, they are there to make your life miserable. Only give short answers and straight to the point. She made a mistake trying to be funny with a disgusting agent.
I disagree, I find humor to be a common ground as long as it’s respectful and on subject. It seems there was no disrespect here. That’s where you draw the line. Poking fun at yourself is very different than poking fun at the system. I would say her answers were excellent in diffusing a situation.
And yet we see that her response did not go over well. I’ve never had a particularly terrible run in with these guys, but I assume their sense of humor is not too far-off from the DMV. And I would not dare crack a quip to the DMV. or to the TSA, or any similar, probably underpaid government thug.
Maybe they are afraid she is a sex worker? No joke. Some high class escorts travel and live in style.
She’s certainly not…I can vouch for her.
But what if she was? Well, I guess that’s another issue for another time…
I agree. She is not likely a sex worker because she has traveled to many countries in the Third World. Her travel pattens fits that of a rich husband and her daughter now in university. Besides, 2 weeks and going back means she is not a full time sex worker but is coming for vacation and, at most, a few clients (but probably not a sex worker at all). If she doesn’t have condoms or lubrication in her luggage, that is further evidence that she is not a sex worker.
I mean if an entitled and arrogant blogger can “vouch” for her, well, let her waltz right in. Just because you want to bang some Eurotrash housewife, doesn’t mean we have to endure her, or you.
I’m so sorry that you’ve never been able to get any tail so you have to resort to terrorizing people as a DHS agent. You’re pathetic.
Should men who travel without their wives be subject to extra questioning? After all, they could be coming to the US to get away from their wives and hire American prostitutes. The high level threat to our national security is if the men are business men and could then be targeted and/or blackmailed by prostitutes who are actually agents of a foreign government trying to steal business secrets of the travelers’ business transactions with American businesses. I may have heard people saying that just last week there was such an arrest of a foreign business man who was targeted by a foreign prostitute trying to steal his top secret plans for manufacturing a device that more quickly transports people down rabbit holes. I don’t have any proof, but since I raised the question and others could repeat it, a full investigation is warranted or else it’s being covered up..
What, if that’s a man goal why would he go to the USA? Mexico is right next door, is 1/5th the price, and is legal,
Even American men who travel with their wife and/or their own child/children to some foreign countries are sometimes involved in questionable activities abroad when they think they are out of sight of their relatives. Not unheard of for an American family man abroad to book an additional hotel room for a stay — sometimes even at the same hotel while at other times at a nearby hotel or other place — to engage in extra-marital sexual relations that may or may not be illegal depending on the occasion/circumstances. Sometimes the prostitutes sought by some such men are underage and/or are not in a legal position to offer informed legal consent for what gets done to them. Some of them even have NEXUS or Global Entry status when they really wouldn’t if the governmental authorities got the information needed to revoke their status and perhaps even get them prosecuted.
She should avoid LAX for the time being. Also avoid PDX customs, aka DePortland. Some stations are better than others. . Oh, business class doesn’t preclude sex work, if the client pays for it.
The police in a small Southern town was shown on TV about how to spot a drug dealer. Paraphrased quote… “if the driver is driving too slowly, he may be a drug dealer trying to avoid a ticket. If they are speeding, they could be nervous so beware. If they are driving precisely at the speed limit, they are drug dealer carefully trying to avoid a ticket. ” Therefore, you are a suspected drug dealer if you are male and driving below, at , or above the speed limit.
This is what happens if you try to do the right thing. If she just crossed the border from Mexico like thousands do everyday she would not have been bothered and had to talk to an officer. Her mistake.
She should consider flying through Vancouver or Toronto next time. If denied entry, she can enjoy Vancouver or Toronto or Niagara Falls.
Those idiots went home feeling so self satisfied that night feeling like they’re the tip of the spear operators we have downrange at any given time. Thank you for your service guys. Keep up the embarrassing work.
” As a male US citizen, I have never had to experience what my friend did…”, Matthew writes. I have had the experience of being searched by Israel at TLV, down to my underwear (but not naked). They, like the LAX DHS, did not believe I would travel to TLV alone for a few days. I was leaving TLV after 3 days in Israel. It was short because I was still in school and had only a week for spring break and couldn’t get award seats for the full week so I spent a few days in Europe then Israel. I had an advantage because I didn’t mind them deporting me as I was LEAVING Israel to head back to the US.
I had a similar experience in Israel which I linked to yesterday in the Palestinian girl post. But I meant it has never happened to me in my own country.
Bullies don’t really like it when they encounter someone not intimidated by their tactics and who happens to also be able and willing to carry on in confident stride even while being challenged by bullies and the bullies’ espoused prejudices. Applies as much to the bullies — and bully-supporters within the CBP as to those bullies encountered elsewhere.
The CBP and some other border control types get sort of paranoid when a person is no longer employed and claims they don’t work a regular paid job in order to travel and otherwise support themselves with means beside that of regular full time employment in a commonly understood, traditional job. And when it’s a woman in such position, they really can let loose with firing on any and all misogynistic prejudices you can imagine and then some.
This is my biggest fear ! My spouse doesn’t like to travel, I often travel alone. I have received strange looks from customs agents. I make more money than spouse … one day a customs agent won’t believe me .
CBSA can be nearly as bad as CBP at times, but I’ve never had a bad encounter hit me with them. On a few occasions Schengen passport control police in northern (non-Med-bordering) countries have tried to give me a bit of a tough time, but it’s a joke given I am not easily legally removable and tend to not care about whether or not I miss a flight when it’s in defense for principles that I hold higher than my momentary convenience.
Hi Matt,
This reminded me what CBP and DHS did to me when I arrived at DFW on AA flight from Madrid last November. At PP check at DFW after the CBP asked where I was coming from and I said Madrid and for how many days was I outside the USA. Then He takes my PP and says follow me to a holding room and he locks up my PP in a clear plastic box. Sit down and wait to be called. Then the CBP guys say now go get your luggage and at the luggage area you will be told where to go next. Then I am escorted to the inspection area and interrogated. When just 5 days in Madrid, what did you do there, where did you stay who did you meet. My PP is full of stamps as I travel every other month some where in the world. Are you married? Why isn’t she with you? I told them I was retired and she doesn’t like to travel much. She is a physician and has her clinic to take care of. Well why such a short trip? I said a mileage and mattress run. They had no idea what that meant. So they started going thru everything I had. They took both of my phones, Ipad and laptop and I had to provide all the PWs. I had nothing to hide so I cooperated. They went thru my money/CC/PP bag. They found my retired ID card and retired credentials from Diplomatic Security. At first they were smiling since they thought they caught someone with false credentials etc. After both inspected my credentials they both agreed that they were real and I was retired. They were not nasty to me although the DHS agent was not very cordial. He told me that I would be hearing from DHS in Washington and all my electronics would be searched. He gave a receipt and phone number to call in Washington. I did get my PP back. I barely made the last AA flight to IAD. I had to ask my seat mate if I could use his phone to call home. Finally after 3 months I got my electronics back. There was a DHS cover facility just 15 from my house where I had to drive to pick up my electronics. The CBP officers did say jokingly that they do this randomly each day to keep in practice and I was randomly selected.
In December I went back to Asia and flew back to JFK on SQ. Almost the same thing happened. The CBP Officer after scanning my PP closed down and said follow him to a large room where they were holding many foreigners. They made me wait maybe 20 min then called me and asked many questions again but then gave me a green card said I could leave. No baggage inspection or taking my electronic stuff.
I am a US citizen and retired from law enforcement Diplomatic security at the state dept. and have served around the world. Flew almost every month of my 35 year career with diplomatic passports. Years ago before 911 I had this happen to me at my home back IAD Washington several times. One time the CBP colonel got upset why I carried 3 Diplomatic and 1 tourist PP. Of course I had my valid credentials and badge but still these guys could not believe I was authorized 4 PP’s and was on a 4 day trip to FRA. Some of these guys seem to be uneducated. To apply for a position with Diplomatic Security you had a Bachelor’s degree but to be a CBP officer you don’t need a degree from what many have told me.
How can I read your initial story in order for me in the future I can chime in.
Hi Karl, that is a horrible tale. Thank you for sharing – it is ridiculous what you had to go through.
Well, no one needs a reason not to travel to what is one of the most unfriendly countries in the world but this just adds to the list.
“apparently a successful, well-dressed, attractive, middle-aged woman flying business class”
What does her being attractive have to do with this? had she been fugly, then her treatment would have been less appalling?
It would have been just as appalling, but I do wonder if her good looks had something to do with this…it was part of this entire package that made DHS so insecure.
Trust me, looks have nothing do with it. They judge people for many things when it comes to entering the US, and looks isn’t one of those things.
Ironic in a story about alleged misogyny…
How would you know? Maybe you forget how horribly my wife was treated as well…another pretty one.
They would be less likely to assume a 300-pound obese 60 year old “androgynous” woman to be a possible illegal, foreign sex worker or such foreigner getting married in the US to an American and seek an immigration status change while in the US than an “easy on the eyes” woman of (or closer to) presumably fertile age.
@Aaron. Trust they judge on curiosity. They see something they cannot understand and you’re toast. Husband and self lived separate lives through the marriage quite happily, yet we were an object of scrutiny whenever separated.
Quoted: Imagine this 40-something man traveling to the US over the past six months on three occasions. In business class. With credit cards, bookings at top hotels, and dressed professionally. There is no doubt that no one would bat an eye. Ever.
That is me and you are absolutely right! Entered last time few days ago and it took less than a minute as always. Two questions this time: which place you will stay and how much cash do you have with you. Gone in 60 seconds!
Now imagine that same procedure you wrote about would be done when same type of female US citizen enters to European Union. On the next day, the whole US red media(CNN etc.) would take up that issue, blaming for xenophobia, sexism, human rights etc. Because US consider themselfs as “supernation” with “superpower”, but cannot handle the southern border.
Matthew,
The best way to change the DHS is from the inside. Get a job working at the border and work your way up. Become the person in charge of an airport border office.
Curious if you have Global Entry. The most important thing about GE is not how fast you can go through immigration but the fact you don’t have to interact with any of these officers.
Global Entry has changed greatly. At IAD at least, which leads the way towards the rest of the country, you now must wait to interact with an agent. Yes, it’s usually fast, just confirming your identity as to the photo taken at the kiosk, but it’s far more than the old days when you just handed your slip to a guy standing there. And often I am asked questions.
The answer is clearly in the middle. There is no doubt that the U.S. is a target for women to come and never leave. I get that. But it’s turned into a complete paranoia on the part of DHS to a point that it seems to spill over to ANY woman. Lack of proper training, lack of education, lack of common sense….upon which you throw in the power tripping aspect they seem to relish, with the end result being we have become the least welcoming country in the world.
Even in the comments on this post, the misogyny is quite clear. “She could be a sex worker.” She’s here for a “sugar daddy.” And we wonder where this irrational behavior comes from? It’s home grown and spreads into the minds of those less educated and less understanding of our true global culture.
Sex worker? She was not 22, as Matthew stated. Nor from a suspect country. Nor fitting any profile one might imagine.
Sugar Daddy (laughing at this term and wonder if some of you are like 80 using it)? She is married, well to do, and offered all information as to this, providing them the opportunity to verify it. Regardless, though it’s clear not the case, so what? Is there a specific law against visiting a man who is generous? And really, given she is middle aged, despite being attractive, is that actually a thing for her profile? Even so, is it a danger to our nation?
Perhaps we need to spend less time worrying about 40+ year old women flying alone from Austria to the U.S. for a trip to see friends (or whatever) and more time setting a standard for a cohesive and agreed upon border policy with Mexico. It’s as if the DHS and both Political parties prefer to go after low hanging fruit for which they can say they are doing something (and doing nothing) instead of facing the real issues at hand.
I find this entire thing to be disgusting and embarrassing as an American. To those subjected to this awfulness, I apologize as an American.
Stuart, this abuse occurs everywhere. Gender bias, is a real thing. I have suffered this for much of my life. So much it is part of my life. I’ve been pulled for questioning in several countries. I’ve nothing to hide and I also have learned helplessness. For the last thirty years I developed a thick enough skin not to give a rats butt. I laughed because my husband would have reacted in this exact manner, but most folks don’t get it. Even in the states I get questioned, (with side eye) about making real estate purchases with my own money, at my own bank, Hence the divorce. And that is exactly why I carry the sealed papers in my purse. Welcome to the USA.
It makes me think of my mother, who is an entrepreneur and has been for years. Perhaps why I am sensitive to your plight. She often tells me stories of bankers and investors asking her when they get to meet the CEO, or her favorite, “her husband.” Her defense is always an interesting one, which I respect and learned from, “I let them underestimate me, it’s my greatest weapon.”
Respectfully, you’re misinterpreting most of the comments. I don’t see much talk here accusing her of being a sex worker. I’m reading most of these comments as saying that’s what the CBP is (improperly) using as a pretext to harass this traveler.
I understand your point however the tone of the comments here regarding sex workers had the aura of acceptance. Not that the commenters necessarily agreed, but more that it is a legitimate and accepted concern of the DHS. However, I don’t see much outrage in regards to how misplaced it is, more a matter of fact that this is some sort of justification. There should be outrage instead, Matthew’s friend was put through undue stress and perhaps future issues traveling all because she was a woman flying alone. And not even a woman it seems that would remotely fit the profile of a sex worker. It’s easy for men here to just say, “Oh, they probably assumed she was a sex worker” and just accept it, even if they don’t agree with it. Instead they should be saying, “The entire system is flawed and sexist, and major reforms need to be implemented as to their profiling.” Meanwhile, I wonder how many actual criminals just breezed through immigration that day because they were men and DHS was so busy looking for trivial things to target so as to appear relevant.
Honestly, this ranks up there with uneducated flight attendants being told to police aircraft for human traffickers. Give uneducated and poorly trained people a little power and the result is innocent lives are impacted at a far greater rate. Proof is how awful that program has gone the past few years.
As a man, now 60, white and European, a similar thing has happened to me three times, the last just a couple of weeks ago. I own my own business but travel (in business class) on my own dime because I enjoy coming to the US and because I have family there. Each time I have endured being shouted at about cellphones, it has taken a couple of hours and I have been left clueless as to why. The same questions are asked by several people (but completely unrelated to the questions on other occasions) and it seems that years of visiting, not overstaying my welcome and staying on the right side of the law are irrelevant to the matter.
I am remaining anonymous for obvious reasons as due process doesn’t apply here.
Was this attractive friend flying to the US to camp in Oregon or make whoopee with the author of this post? Frankly, this whole detention story sounds made up.
Matthew,
Your point is correct about how ridiculous it is when millions of illegals pour over the border and are given housing by a corrupt government yet citizens and tourists get abused and harassed at the border.
You should, however, not use a lack of a college degree against people because colleges today are basically indoctrination centers for leftism; the same leftism that supports forced vaccinations of normal citizens but are happy to see millions of unvaccinated or unmasked illegals pour over the border or millions of unmasked blacks rioting in the streets. Colleges today routinely admit students who are not qualified or lack the merit of others simply because they are Black, Latino, Transgender, and etc. Maybe college graduates who graduated 10 or 5 years ago are a little better but the ones graduating today often have minds of a parrot.
It is awful attractive people are penalized for being attractive. The U.S. tourist market suffers, although, people are better off not coming here for tourism. There is nothing of value here. Europe has thousands of years of architecture and history.
I will argue your last point. The U.S. has tremendous appeal to many from a tourism standpoint. Perhaps this is the problem in wondering why people might want to visit?
1. We have perhaps the greatest National Park system in the world. And some of the most spectacular places to explore from a wild and scenic perspective.
2. There are unique quirks to America that make it interesting to foreigners. We may hate Vegas as an example, but the reality is that it’s fascinating to others. As is LA, and even Texas. Culturally they have their place, for lack of or not.
3. Road Trips. Nowhere in the world can you mount an epic road trip like in America. For foreigners this is a unique and fantastic experience. To spend days traveling across so many vistas and cultures within. It’s an epic journey and truly should be on the list of anyone who wants the quintessential experience.
4. Kindness. Aside from our own judgments to each other, Americans are welcoming as a whole. Perhaps somewhat fake in ways, but welcoming nonetheless. I can imagine a German in a small town in Mississippi being more than welcome and the center of attention.
5. Cities. As dramatic as we make other cities seem, Tokyo for example, there is nowhere for architecture and drama like American cities. Even Chicago, in its midwest roots, still rises with grandness that leaves foreigners in awe.
I could go on, if you want I will. America is one of the greatest potential tourist attractions of the world. It’s unique, multi-faceted, and truly special. We just need to learn to appreciate it ourselves.
Stuart, what I would like to point out this stupidity seems to be worse as the years progress. It is a puritanical, the United States that I love. I like your mum’s response.
You said it at first; the US is probably one of the least welcoming places in the world. And the Dept of Homeland Security probably merged with ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement). And ICE it is, as far as sex is concerned, it’s also one of the least sexual places in the world, where a woman would be turned off (or get arrested) from getting into the sex business (or pleasure) whichever way you want to look at it.
DHS Agent: “Where’s your husband?”
Austrian Traveler: “Did we land in Afghanistan?”
Matthew: “They didn’t laugh”
It’s a shame to have some of these power tripping people being the face of our country to visitors.
Matt, this is your friend, so you’re more than a little biased here. Also, everything you presented is based upon hearsay. You received the version of the story most favorable to your friend. Finally, yes, border agents do profile folks as they are coming in and anything deviating from the mean can trigger suspicion.
The story as you tell it is highly concerning, but it’s one side of the story. It’s also sensational to call this misogyny when the reality is it’s just mistreatment based upon a perceived deviation from the mean given the situation. I wouldn’t fault USCBP for questioning a solo female traveler from Austria with an unusually active travel history if that creates articulable reasonable suspicion based upon their training and experience. The issue here rather concerns whether the detention was unreasonably long or overly intrusive after she provided reasons to dispel the suspicion.
You have a rational and thought out viewpoint on this but it is still flawed. You are missing the point in that if this friend of Matthew’s was a well heeled middle aged man from Austria, would he have been treated the same? I doubt it. And, would they ask him, “Are you married? Where is your wife?” Certainly, they could ask a few questions as to why he has been to the U.S. three times in a year, but I’m sure that with the answers she gave coming from a man instead, as well all the documentation provided, there would never have been a detention. The entire thing would have lasted two minutes instead of three hours. Therein is the issue.
An interesting comparison to this would be the moment I realized that profiling of young black men was a real thing. I was shocked when I read the story a few years ago about the black man at the Doubletree in Portland (who was a guest of the hotel) being questioned in the lobby sitting there on his phone talking to his mother. And forced to show identification and a room key. It rang home with me because coincidentally a few months before I went to that hotel to meet a colleague in the lobby for a short meeting. After it was over I stayed working in the lobby for two hours before going to the airport. No one questioned me. No one cared. and I wasn’t even a guest.
This is the problem. Uneducated bias, poor training, improper perceptions, and horrid levels of interaction. It is not acceptable in a country like ours. It is not acceptable anywhere.
She should have flown to Mexico and walked across the border. No questions would have been asked.
United States law presumes EVERY visitor to the United States is coming to stay permanently. It’s up to YOU, the traveler, to convince the immigration officer at the port of entry otherwise. Having a visa or an ESTA does NOT give you ANY right to enter the country. No matter how many times you’ve previously traveled before or how many stamps are on your passport. ,CBP officers at the ports of entry have the FINAL SAY on admission.
Her making jokes such as:
“I’ve been married for 20 years and he is quite happy when I leave!” and “Here’s his number if you wish to call. I’m sure he will beg you not to send me back…!” is putting up all sorts of RED FLAGS to immigration officers. All they are hearing at that time is how happy she is to be away from her family and that she has loads of people in the United States that welcome her with open arms. If she would have answered their questions directly, without joking or going on other tangents, I’m sure her entry to the United States would have gone quite differently.
You good with the warning not to travel without her husband?
My friend is an elderly female from Canada and they have detained her at LAX. I am concerned for her health. She told them she was in an accident recently and they have kept her up until 3:00 am . This is inhumane.
It appears Matthew managed to get DHS people to comment. Pretty telling attitude as to why there is a disconnect to reality in that department. No, MetsNomad, Western Europeans of her profile are not actually rushing to over stay their visas in throngs. Common sense in vetting your passengers properly would clearly show they are the lowest level of concern, Yet it took five agents, three hours, device inspection, and repeated questions related to a husband to learn the obvious. It should have taken one person, three minutes, and an intelligent conclusion to determine this was a nothing burger. Meanwhile, how many others crossed the borders illegally and easily on foot? Or how many criminals, because they were middle aged men, instead landed and were never questioned? It’s like a joke, how many CBP agents does it take to screw in a light bulb?
The fact that you tout an all or nothing approach of assuming that everyone is coming to the U.S. to be illegal is exactly what clouds your ability to properly police the borders in an effective manner. If you try and fight everyone you end up getting your butt kicked. Pick your fights and do better.
Oh, and respect is a two-way street. I dare you to disrespect me in the same manner you did this woman and do daily to thousands of passengers entering the U.S. for legitimate reasons. I will be far less polite. Or making innocent banter like jokes. I am not afraid of your power tripping nonsense.
This isn’t what I’m touting. This is actual written U.S. law.
“Under Section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), applicants are presumed to be intending immigrants unless they credibly demonstrate, to the consular officer’s satisfaction, that their economic, family, and social ties outside the United States are strong enough that they will depart at the end of their authorized stay and that their intended activities in the United States will be consistent with the visa status.”
Yes, she’s Austrian and probably eligible for an ESTA, so doesn’t have to apply for an actual visa, but she still has to satisfy CBP officers at the port of entry that she has good enough reasons to return home before her 90 days are up. Her telling them things like, she and her husband are very happy to be away from each other, that she no longer has a child to raise, that she travels so much because she’s so happy to be away from house and home aren’t helping. This is probably why they searched her devices to get clues on the real reason she’s coming to the United States.
The “real” reason. Lol. You people are crazy.
She had a return ticket. She has no desire to live in the USA. The biggest wake up for me was when I started traveling and learned that most Europeans do NOT want to live in the USA, which they view as a far less civil, comfortable, and just nation. Not everyone is trying to sneak into the USA!
Whether her answers were the best choice or not she was clearly, as it seems from this post, just keeping things light. Regardless, why does her marital status matter? Do they ask middle aged men coming in for conferences or whatever for two weeks, with all the criteria of money, return tickets, hotel bookings, and no history of overstaying a visa on past trips, if they are married? Or asking why they are not traveling with their wife? I doubt.
I would assume they first asked her marital status (might even be on the esta form…I don’t know). One would assume she first simply confirmed she is. What more is needed? Why ask her where her husband is and why he is not traveling with her? Repeatedly! I imagine her later responses were only after they kept asking and pressing for the reasons. Which, quite frankly, is glaringly misogynist. I have traveled to countless countries on every continent for decades, and I can assure you that I have never in my life once been asked by an agent in any of these countries if I am married and why my wife was not with me. Further, if I told them no, would it matter? Of course not. So, why should it matter for her?
According to the profile provided here she is clearly not 22 and coming from, for example, Romania or The Philippines. As such, what in the world would constitute anything beyond confirmation of a return ticket, purpose of the visit, and proper finances? All things that could be done in three minutes and shown clear objective. Nor is this a one off…read above some of the other stories of DHS over stepping and harassing people. Read the lawsuits online as well regarding device inspections and detainments that were done without any probable cause or concern. CBP agents are out of control and actually making our country less safe in wasting time with random power trips.
@Matthew
The comment about the lack of a college degree was a cheap shot. Coming from an attorney, I’m not surprised.
Attorneys are a dime a dozen in the USA. Many are unemployed. Those who are knee deep in student debt and no job prospect could get experience at Immigration and learn the finer techniques of interrogation in the real world. It could be labeled as “community work” just like the new FAs at Delta and get credit toward loan balances.
Don’t distress, you still get to bill by the hour.
I had a scholarship.
But relax on the college comment. The most important thing you learn in college is not any set of facts, which these days you can just as easily lean on YouTube, but how to deal with others. There’s great benefit in that one that going immediately into the work place may not provide.