Tick Box Crazy

[rhythmaning]

I am just back from a week-long visit to the USA.



Whenever I travel to the States, I am amazed and amused by the immigration forms one needs to fill in. I am sure that there is something similar to enter the UK or other countries, but the only time I come across these are when I enter the States.

It is a really badly designed form. For instance, you need to sign a portion of the form below a clear line that says “Government Use Only”. It isn't helped by being told that an incorrect form will elad to instand and summary justice. Well, they won't let you in.

But what really amuses me are the questions on the back, including:

Have you ever been arrested or convicted for an offense or crime involving moral turpitude… or are seeking entry to engage in criminal or immoral activities?

Have you ever been or are you now involved in espionage or sabotage; or in terrorist activities; or in genocide; or between 1933 or 1945 were involved…with Nazi Germany or its allies?

I would love to know what they mean by moral turpitude? I have been described as having warped morals – perhaps I should have ticked the “yes” box.

And who on earth would ever tick “yes”? Has a terrorist plot ever been foiled because the would-be terrorist was honest enough to tick “yes”?

There is also a customs declaration form to fill in.

Amongst the questions on this one are:

I am bringing in … disease agents… soil or have been on a farm/ranch/pasture?

I have been in close proximity to livestock…

Without a timeframe? So sometime, I was on pasture land (indeed, two weeks before my flight I was on pasture land!). But I still ticked “no”...

Comments

[chickenfeet2003.livejournal.com]

You are a dangerous Yurpean and therefore no bureaucratic stone must be left unturned in the Administration's constant vigilance to defend "The Land of the Free" from utterly inept terrorists and Gunther Grass.

[chickenfeet2003.livejournal.com]

"I have been in close proximity to livestock…"

...and the Scots and the Welsh

[blonde222.livejournal.com]

that customs form must be the most commonly lied-on government form in the world. I never met a US resident who confessed to the full value of his or her overseas purchases on that form.

[itchyfidget.livejournal.com]

It is a shockingly poor form in all regards. And I've never seen a large print version or anything for those who can't deal with the tiny, impenetrably-written print.

[frankie-ecap.livejournal.com]

Sorry about the context for this story, but it was the briefest retelling I could find.

[rhythmaning.livejournal.com]

Jeez, that had me worried. But it is a very good story.

[kittenexploring.livejournal.com]

'Yes' would have been the better option to tick, since you had been on pasture land. There is a lot of foot and mouth lately and it's really quite good if it doesn't spread. Which it still does, such as on the shoes of people who tick 'no' on forms despite clearly needing to tick 'yes'. You are a bad, bad person, I'm afraid.

Quarantine people (or whoever represents them there) would have asked where you had been, and when, then used that information to decide what to do. If you came from a risky area they may have cleaned your shoes for you and checked where you were going/told you to stay away from farmland for seven days. There are also other diseases that last much longer. I don't know what the current main risks are.

Also, hi! :)

[nicnac.livejournal.com]

The Bolivian version asks if one deals in nuclear weapons or intends to bring such into the country!