September 26, 2008
Ireland welcomes not everybody

All the recent news about immigration officials in Dublin airport treating certain visitors to strip searches, detaining them, humiliating them even though the visitors have valid visas. The article today from the Irish Times highlights all the recent incidents and some experiences from various interviews. I'm one of the luckier ones that gets a "how are ya?" and a half-nod. But this is only in recent years, and mainly when I travel back to Dublin airport. No one actually mentioned about other national airports, such as Shannon airport. I'd remember I would get wave passed, but not before I get a discerning look of disapproval. Maybe it's just my imagination, I am very sensitive to any reactions around me in those situations.

Other unpleasant experiences that I remember (not that many, thank goodness):

  • Frankfurt airport - Immigration was scrutinising my passport, I thought he was going to take it apart. I was with my then boyfriend (now husband).
  • Austrailia - Got sent to another desk with all the other non-whites (yes, I noticed that everyone was non-white), took another 30 minutes for them to get to me and check my passport.

Recently I was in Seattle, and the immigration took my passport, chatted a little and said "Welcome home!" by accident before changing to "..erm.. United States of America. Enjoy your stay.". That was funny, maybe because I have some American twang in my accent. I think it's most likely that they are use to seeing Asians travelling in and out, and there were alot of Asians working in the airport. Obviously, they did not bat an eyelid in San Francisco.

Any experiences, opinions? Chat about it at the IBC forum.

Posted by whykay at September 26, 2008 10:00 AM