GS>GS>> Mohammed Atta managed to get from Madrid to
GS>GS>> Miami twice without  the neccessary documents.
GS>at> Everyone makes mistakes; US Customs made 1 mistake?
 
GS> On his first visit, he left with his visum being expired and noone cared.
GS> And one of the other terrorists even obtained a driver's license after
GS> his visum had expired. The customs checks seem to be eyewash only. You
GS> can also find some videos on the net where people argue with border
GS> partol on whether they are free to travel or not, but finally get to
GS> cross the border without ever showing any ID.
 
That's close to 18 years ago already.
 
1) Having a visa or not is irrelevant in the USA to obtain a driver's license
as the USA has reciprocal agreements with a lot of countries the first 90 days
of your stay you can use your national license. If you stay longer you just go
the bureau, produce your national-drivers license which needs to be current and
you will automatically be eligible for one of that state... which then again
opens up Pandora's box as you need your driver's license for a host of other
things. It's the same thing for Americans staying here more than 90 days.
 
2) When wanting to go to the US you now have to pass the ESTA-procedure where
you electronically have to apply for permission to be allowed to travel to the
USA. Costs $14 for 2 years. No ESTA? No entry. This dates from after 9/11 too.
 
3) Customs now are on a pre-check basis. Because of the computers DHS knows I
frequently pass the border at an airport and I am pre-cleared. There are no
customs formalities anymore. Weird ... really ... but handy.
 
 \%/@rd

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