ESTA is it not needed??

benjus

photome wrote: »

I have always found them to be pleasant

When I entered at New York a couple of years ago the immigration officer asked for the purpose of my visit. I said "tourism", and she looked slightly incredulous and asked me to repeat... I have a nasty feeling she thought I said "terrorism".

zerog

benjus wrote: »

When I entered at New York a couple of years ago the immigration officer asked for the purpose of my visit. I said "tourism", and she looked slightly incredulous and asked me to repeat... I have a nasty feeling she thought I said "terrorism".

Better brush up on your American, the only language worth speaking.

The OP obviously didn't notice that even the Americans on the plane had filled in customs forms.

globetraveller

OH had a problem with his ESTA. They weren't going to let him board the plane as there was nothing on their system to show he had an ESTA( which he did). It was sorted, but he did panic for a brief while.( By the way he even had the paper copy) So ESTAs are absolutely needed

2gorgeousgirls

As stated the ESTA is giving you permission to travel to the US but it is not a guarantee you will get in.

Four years ago we went to Florida on holiday. Esta's had been completed and we were very excited until we got to immigration where my husband was frog marched to an interview room by gun toting immigration officials while I was left with a 6 year old and a 9 year old wondering what was going on.

Husband had been security vetted for his job so I knew there were no past crimes he had not disclosed and was fairly certain everything would be fine but it was very scary for the 45 mins I was waiting for him.

When he emerged it turned out there is someone from here (NI) with the same name who has an arrest warrant out in the US so they pulled him in to ascertain it was not him.

God love him, he was pure white when he emerged. Said he was sat at a desk with an official standing over him, gun in hand the whole time.

We were there again in June and were able to joke about it but it was not funny at the time.

Westin

my husband was frog marched to an interview room by gun toting immigration officials

You are not a 'journalist' for the Daily Mail by any chance?

Was he escorted to the secondary interview area by a Customs and Boarder Protection Office who just happened, like many US law enforcement and boarder protection staff, to wear a holstered hand gun. I'm guessing that the hand gun remained in the holster and intact wasn't touched.

vivatifosi

2gorgeousgirls wrote: »

As stated the ESTA is giving you permission to travel to the US but it is not a guarantee you will get in.

Four years ago we went to Florida on holiday. Esta's had been completed and we were very excited until we got to immigration where my husband was frog marched to an interview room by gun toting immigration officials while I was left with a 6 year old and a 9 year old wondering what was going on.

Husband had been security vetted for his job so I knew there were no past crimes he had not disclosed and was fairly certain everything would be fine but it was very scary for the 45 mins I was waiting for him.

When he emerged it turned out there is someone from here (NI) with the same name who has an arrest warrant out in the US so they pulled him in to ascertain it was not him.

God love him, he was pure white when he emerged. Said he was sat at a desk with an official standing over him, gun in hand the whole time.

We were there again in June and were able to joke about it but it was not funny at the time.

Don't be surprised if this happens again and it could be from any country. DH has the same name and dob as a wanted British fugitive and he's been stopped in different countries over it, including flying back into this one. They are only doing their job, but we'll be glad when this one is caught as it stops us using e border lanes.

photome

2gorgeousgirls wrote: »

.

God love him, he was pure white when he emerged. Said he was sat at a desk with an official standing over him, gun in hand the whole time.

.

Westin wrote: »

You are not a 'journalist' for the Daily Mail by any chance?

Was he escorted to the secondary interview area by a Customs and Boarder Protection Office who just happened, like many US law enforcement and boarder protection staff, to wear a holstered hand gun. I'm guessing that the hand gun remained in the holster and intact wasn't touched.

I thought that but its not what the OP said

Pollycat

Zuperman12 wrote: »

Has this happened to anyone else before? As it seems a money making scheme from the American tourist board

Cheers

It's clear the OP is confused about the purpose of the form handed out on the plane.

So, an ESTA isn't a 'money-making scheme' by anyone.
If it were a 'money-making scheme' at all it would be perpetrated by the American government, not the tourist board.

claire16c

Of course a benefit is that the Esta makes money. After all it used to be free.

But that's irrelevant. You're not allowed in without it and I can't believe the OP can't tell the difference between immigration & customs.

ferf1223

I could understand someone not understanding the difference between immigration and customs, I suppose...I'm less sure about ignoring a form all passengers were given on the flight.