Being denied entry at the border

Stricter controls at the borders - quite usual at the ports of entries over the past few years. No matter whether you are a Pakistani, Chinese, Mexican, German, Frenchman or Kenyan - everyone is treated the same at the border. The staff has almost been doubled over the past years and the rules the officers must follow have become stricter. Everyone has to be prepared for unpleasant interviews in the case of doubt. Most people already noticed this around the millennium. After a suspected Algerian assassin has been arrested at the Seattle airport with 240 kilograms of highly-dangerous explosives, and this arrest could be connected with the arrest of another Canadian citizen and her Algerian companion at the US-Canadian border in Vermont, the US border authorities have again tightened security at the borders. It is not to be expected that the security will be in any way loosened over the next months, since the threat to the US has not decreased at all since the two arrests according to the US point of view.

The measures go along quite well with the concept of the immigration authorities anyway, because they always suspect that a large part of travelers is cheating the system anyway, also an increasing number of Europeans, who turn out to be illegal immigrants especially in the areas of new York and California more and more often. This means that every person entering the US should make some precautions and inform himself or herself about the possible consequences of his or her actions. We would like to point out especially that you should not carry with you any documents that lead to the assumption that you are planning to work in the US.

Even though it is perfectly legal under US law to be searching for a job, the officers at the border may be irritated if they find documents such as resume, applications, copies of your certificates, correspondence with a US employer etc. on you. The thin line between legal employment and illegal employment without the correct permit leads to misunderstandings that often lead to Europeans being rejected at the border.

The same applies of you enter the US on the Visa Waiver Program too often, the officers may suspect that you intend to immigrate, even if you have no such intention at all.

You should inform yourself about your rights and how to enforce them at the border, in case you have to sit through an interview.

Another helpful tip we can give you is to send your application documents to a friend in the US if you are planning to look for a job there, so that you don't have to carry these with you in your suitcase.