EU threatens tit-for-tat visa limits on Americans after US tightens law

[kskiska]

Source: The Guardian

· Homeland security law raises fears for privacy
· Passengers must detail travel plans and meetings

The European Union is threatening to impose tit-for-tat entry restrictions on all US citizens travelling to Europe in response to new American laws designed to strengthen security at airports and prevent would-be terrorists entering the country. US tourists can now travel to Europe without a visa.

Franco Frattini, justice and home affairs commissioner, is drawing up plans for an EU-wide system of "electronic travel authorisation" (ETA) similar to that written into US law by President George Bush late last week as part of new homeland security rules proposed by the 9/11 commission and endorsed by Congress.

The ETA requires tourists from 14 mostly west European states, including Britain, benefiting from the US visa waiver programme to register online and give details of their passport, travel plans and planned social and business meetings at least two days before departure. A similar scheme operates in Australia.

The new system has heightened fears about privacy protection as the EU and US already exchange information about transatlantic passengers and airline manifests, with several would-be travellers refused entry to planes at US insistence. It is also seen as a deterrent to business travel to the US and to tourism in general, which is down 10% in the US since 2000 while it is up 13% in Britain and 20% in France.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,,2143761,00.html

[aquart]

1. We are ruled by idiots.

It never once occurs to them that there could be effective opposition to their fiats.

[Mojorabbit]

2. An example

Now we are messing with pop stars.
http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story/0,23663,22209770-7484,00.html



ONE DAY she's smiling, the next she's sobbing all over her own blog and now Lily Allen is in danger of becoming an illegal alien.
The perky British singer is trying to wear a brave face after immigration officials unexpectedly revoked her US working visa just as she was preparing to tour the country.

Allen was searched and detained for five hours after being stopped at LA airport on Sunday, and they weren't after an autograph.

"I am trying everything I can to sort this situation out," Allen said in a statement. "I want my fans to know that I will do everything I can to be back in America in September. I don't like letting my fans down and this is a situation that I am sure we can sort."

The entertainer, who said she had been enjoying life Down Under, had flown into the US from Australia to attend the MTV video music awards launch in Las Vegas.

Her unscheduled meeting with US officials was triggered by concerns after her arrest in London in March when she allegedly clashed with a photographer.

[AmyDeLune]

3. I thought it was bad enough my first and only trip to England,

They wanted to know why I was visiting the country and where I was going and who (if anyone) would I be meeting with and what were their names and occupations...:hide:
So much for casual tourism...:cry:

[Redwraithvienna]

4. And you think thats bad ?

Everytime i travel to the US i have to state the Hotel i will stay at, my travel route and so on at the airport before leaving Austria.

Once i arrive at the the US a (always rather pissed) immigration official will ask me what i will do in the US, how long i will stay , where i will stay and so on if i will meet people here....

Best thing that happend was when i first went to New York then to LA to meet some friends and the Immigration guy apperently didnt understand (or didnt want to understand) that A) You can stay with friends and not in a hotel, B) that you dont necesarily leave the country from the same airport that you entered it.

He questioned me for about 10 minutes what i did in the 3 weeks i was in the states and why i was leaving from LA instead from NY ...

[Random_Australian]

7. Welcome to DU, redwraithvienna!

:hi:

[dipsydoodle]

5. What you need to understand

is that the same as you've described applied to the reverse situation of UK's for example flying into the USA at least as far back as 1995. I flew into Sea-Tac 26th December that year and got interogated on why on earth I would want to dance to swing music for a week at Fort Worden Port Townsend.

I've never heard mention of similar issues from any of the Americans who've come here across the years for similar events.

[Vidar]

6. Not content with having turned the Middle East & South America against

the US, Bush now has Russia, China & Euopre threatening us as well.

[Javaman]

8. I should have moved to Italy when I had the chance. nt

[MasonJar]

9. I second you, aquart.

[razzleberry]

10. I pay enough taxes ..... stay away

anything that reduces
tourism is good.


......................
disagree?
go work at Disneyland

[High Plains]

12. Dumb post.

Tourism is a big business in the US, and it isn't limited to Disneyland.

What does tourism have to do with your taxes? Tourism generates revenues....

[mbperrin]

11. No one could have anticipated

that these regulations could trigger a response! Right?

[LeftishBrit]

13. I'm not surprised. It's all rather depressing.