[rlongstaff]

I have visited the USA a dozen or so times over the past decade and, as well as having a great number of friends there, I've found the people really friendly and welcoming.

The only exception to this are US immigration officials who I dread dealing with everytime I arrive. All my paperwork is in order and I've never visited any of those 'dodgy' countries but they are just so unfriendly and standoffish that it spoils my arrival. I get the impression they assume every arriving person has no right to enter and should be treated almost like a criminal.

[orting]

I remember visiting family in the states in 2008, we had our 9 month old child with us. Arriving in the US we got fast-tracked through security, allowed to bring formula for the baby with us and was generally treated very politely. In London we were asked to open all containers with baby food and taste it.

There are countless anecdotes illustrating how immigration rules and officers are ridiculous and racist, but not all of them are about USA. In many respects immigrants are treated worse in Europe that in the states.

[phantom784]

I believe the official policy is to assume everyone is planning to remain illegally and it's up to you to prove otherwise (e.g. by showing ties to your home country)