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British tourist detained by US authorities for 10 days over visa issue

(www.theguardian.com)
205 points n1b0m | 7 comments | 10 Mar 25 18:32 UTC | HN request time: 0.845s | source | bottom
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decimalenough ◴[10 Mar 25 19:58 UTC] No.43325298[source]▶
If she is on a "four-month backpacking trip around North America" and tried to return to the US, she has exceeded the 90-day limit allowed by the Visa Waiver Program (which counts days both in the US and "adjacent territories") and is now an illegal overstayer. The unpaid labor stuff and getting refused entry to Canada is icing on the cake.

For the record, I'm no fan of ICE/CBP, but it looks like they're just enforcing the law here.

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kennysoona ◴[10 Mar 25 20:13 UTC] No.43325516[source]▶
There's a right and a wrong way to enforce the law, though.

Putting her in a literal prison and in an orange jumpsuit is overkill. Clearly she just screwed up and thought what she was doing was ok, but isn't a threat. Let her go back to the UK and no longer be eligible for ESTA. How is that not sufficient?

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1. timeon ◴[10 Mar 25 22:51 UTC] No.43327042[source]▶
It seems shocking from European perspective. At least they did not shot her because of resisting or something.
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2. necovek ◴[10 Mar 25 23:01 UTC] No.43327138[source]▶
She might experience the same thing if she planned a "work away" trip to the EU, now that UK is not part of the EU.
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3. latency-guy2 ◴[10 Mar 25 23:47 UTC] No.43327544[source]▶
I suggest you read up on your country's actual visa violation punitive assessment. You'll be surprised I guarantee it if this is your "European" perspective.

The countries who can enforce their visa terms, do. And Europeans are no different, some are even worse than US treatment they're getting.

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4. kennysoona ◴[11 Mar 25 00:15 UTC] No.43327748[source]▶
No. The EU doesn't treat people like that for such a minor offense.
5. kennysoona ◴[11 Mar 25 10:51 UTC] No.43331165[source]▶
> some are even worse than US treatment they're getting.

Show one comparable story from an EU country.

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6. latency-guy2 ◴[11 Mar 25 22:42 UTC] No.43337902{3}[source]▶
I'm curious if you think there is actually none before I go any further
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7. kennysoona ◴[11 Mar 25 22:55 UTC] No.43337994{4}[source]▶
All good, I think your answer here is enough.