Guy travels to US, gets put into ankle cuffs

[MichaelUK]

Guy (Mr Patterson) travels from UK to US (not with a VISA). Has a civil offense (in the UK, not a "criminal offense") for non-payment of a car in Qutar, Interpol has a note out on his passport, gets pulled over in US airport, gets arrested, deported (the next day; whilst his wife has to find her own way around - never been to US before), and was in ankle chains for 48 hrs.

Was reported on BBC Radio 2 (Jeremy Vine show 12:50pm GMT).

Just in case anyone is interested

[Vladimir]

1. Sounds pretty ridiculous

but then the US justice system is by and large pretty ridiculous. Having said that, the guy should have checked the rules before travelling...

[MichaelUK]

3. But it was a civil offense

(even if it existed). In the UK, its like a parking ticket (dealt with in Civil Courts, max penalty is a fine and community service).

Its just very very strange hearing about it, from an English point of view.

[Vladimir]

7. Btw mate

whereabouts in the UK are you? I'm studying in Oxford at the moment...

[MichaelUK]

12. Aberdeen

Studying for Psychology MA - almost done. Only another month, 1 essay and 3 exams to go!!

[Vladimir]

Kick arse

good luck mate!

[Vladimir]

13. Dupe

[Nihil]

5. Which rule was that?

The one that says "if you have been accused of anything anywhere in the
world then don't come to America (unless you know the Bush family)"?

[Vladimir]

6. Take it easy

If you want to travel to a country, there are immigration rules - the US ones have obviously gotten more ridiculous since 9/11. Its one of the reasons why I no longer even think about visiting the USA, although I loved living there.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

8. Yes, indeed...I'm sure that U. S. Customs has made everyone aware...

...of what the "new rules" are since 911. If you believe that, I'll sell you a bridge or two in whatever country in which you are curently living.

To be honest, I think the only people that know what's contained in the "new rules" are the actual authors, and they're telling damn few here in the U. S.

Give it a rest.

[Vladimir]

10. At which point was I defending the

US immigration policy? What calling things ridiculous a few times just doesn't cut it as criticism anymore? And give what a rest exactly? I spent most of my youth moving from country to country and would be willing to bet that few people on this board have as extensive a knowledge of shitty immigration officials and systems as I do. But I can tell you damn straight, if I had so much as a fine for not paying my TV licence I would think twice before travelling to the US these days. Recognising the current state of affairs does not mean I agree with it.

[Nihil]

11. Not snapping at you mate!

The point I was making is that - as far as I could tell - there was no
"rule" that had been broken. It's not as if the guy had made a false
statement on a visa application or had bought his ticket on a stolen
credit card. He'd been accused (not yet proven) of a civil problem.
(If there is more info on this, I may change my mind but nothing read
so far suggests it is more than one man's word against another.)

I've been stopped at "Customs" in many places (most recently in Belfast)
simply because I'm six foot tall and long haired. The delay for the
examination of papers, the pat-down search and the additional questions
is simply an unfortunate though unsurprising inconvenience.

The additional risks of irrational, illogical, illegal treatment due to
the paranoia of untrained US officials mean that I would have to be
seriously persuaded to go to the US these days (my last visit was in
December 2001) - like "you go or you're out of a job" persuasion - and
I would not entertain taking my family over for a holiday while this
administration is in power. I have met many super Americans (and would
love to meet some of you folks too!) but while the US/UK still operate
an indeterminate detention without trial policy, no thanks.

Nihil

[Vladimir]

14. Fair enough

...that last paragraph pretty much sums my attitude up these days mate.

[oblivious]

2. That's quite surprising

The database seems to be working. They now know absolutely everything about every one of us, no matter where, no matter when.

[MichaelUK]

4. Well, Interpol's database is working

and US customs has access to it. We know that for definite.

Any one fancy getting onto the database and trying to get into Europe?

[the Kelly Gang]

9. had a friend whose credit card was stolen and used to buy guns..

he got arrested and deported even though he could prove it wasn't he who bought the guns and he had reported his cards stolen..his lawyer advised him not to return to the US in the current hysteria !