Transit without visa ceases at airports

[inthecorneroverhere]

(T)he federal government Saturday suspended two programs that waived visa requirements for foreign travelers simply making connections at U.S. airports en route to third countries.

The programs, one called transit without visa and another known as international-to-international transit, allowed citizens of countries who would otherwise need a visa to get into the United States to change planes. ..

The suspension, which became effective at 11 a.m. Saturday, is for 60 days initially, during which it will be reviewed. .. (T)ravelers who bought their tickets before July 24 and are scheduled to leave the United States before Aug. 5 won't have to get visas.

more

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/nation/6446449.htm

This is related to that threat assessment that came out last week - affects foreigners but it is obviously possible that foreign countries will suspend their transit-without-visa programs for U.S. travelers changing planes in their airports.

edit: spelling

[Paschall]

1. This sounds effective

NOT.

According to the Department of Homeland Security, the largest population using the transit without visa program comes from Brazil, one of South Florida's largest international markets. Second is Mexico. Peru is fifth, following third-place Korea and the fourth-place the Philippines.

Yup, I hear those countries are all hotbeds of anti-American terraism. Glad to know ShrubCo is protecting us from radical bombers from Rio.

"It's a great development for those of us who want to close security loopholes that terrorists can exploit," said the official, an immigration officer familiar with international airport procedures. "For the airlines, however, it will be major mess. They are going to scream. They are going to lose money because the new rule will discourage some international travel."

Not to mention US embassies abroad. Are they jacking up budgets so our embassies will be able to handle the added demand for visas? Or do they plan to outsource this, too? Or maybe they plan to charge the Brazilians and Mexicans for their transit visas? How much should it cost them to sit in a locked lounge in a Miami airport while waiting for a flight?

[dArKeR]

3. What is the number one reason someone becomes a terrorist?

Because they've been kicked off their land?

I wonder if there has been an objective honest analysis?

[aquart]

6. Actually, yes.

The New York Times published a terrorist profile in its Science Times section decades ago.

A principle requirement was not being thrown off land, but political instability in the area.

A them or us, black or white, no grey areas view of the world.

And, I found this odd, a serious childhood illness.

That's as well as I can remember. I'm sure I left out important factors. But it was a really long time ago.

[freeforall]

4. Paschall...

Chimpy probably plans to outsource this to call centres he'll establish in Iraq. "Hearts and minds" you know. Get them working, and they'll forget about attacking US soldiers.

<sarcasm off>

[dArKeR]

2. I'm telling you, foreign people are really tired of the U.S.

Bullshot after bullshot is driving people away from the U.S. Tourism, students, entrepreneurs... That's the word from the streets in SE Asia, certainly the last of the people who honestly loved America. 'Arrogant' is what the Chinese word translates into.

Together with the state university tuition hikes, I predict a big bust of foreign revenue by next year. (This is my Bush Futures Market prediction.)

My question is, does Bush know this is happening? If so they just don't care? And why don't they care, because they're personally making more money from other operations?

http://darkerxdarker.tripod.com/

[freeforall]

5. Avoidance of US Travel

dArKeR,

I don't think * gives a damn. He is one Paranoid Patsy! But this will really kill off travel to the US. You won't find me visiting anytime soon. Why put myself through all of that hassle and inconvenience?

I guess Canada better gear up for the bulk of these travellers who are passing through in transit.

Just another nail in the US tourism coffin.

[dArKeR]

7. I forgot to say why about university tuition...

A Masters in the U.S. for foreign student, I thought, was US$ 15,000. But then my girl friend just told me she was quoted US$30,000. (This year before the tuition hikes that will happen.) (So I'm not exactly sure of the current tuition. Anyway, the cost in Europe is much much lower. I have to check but before it was just a few thousand dollars.

Believe it or not, Hollywood is a big draw to make people choose the U.S. to study and visit. A picture is worth a thousand words. A movie is what makes them go to the USA.

Also, we've got a lot of the newest equipment in our schools with all the best 'foreign' teachers money can buy.

But pay US$50,000 in the U.S., all the VISA arrogance, and maybe get mixed up and thrown into Guantanamo Bay for the rest of your life?

If you've never been to Asia or SE Asia, the people don't like or trust the police or Government. (I would imagine Africa and South America are the same). So to know you're going to be subjected to this treatment in the U.S. by what ALL foreign people call unjust or illegal Bush procedures, I just don't think their going to go to the U.S. much anymore.

We just had the poll last week of what Canadians thought of Bush. Negative 80%? I've forgotten. You've got the same thing in all of Asia, SE Asia.

It's just amazing to me this is all being ignored by the American Media.