On 3/20/2025 9:56 AM, Tzadik Vanderhoof wrote:
Yes I can. Ordinary people, that are not involved in crime or linked to terrorism will not be affected in any way. And the worse that will happen to anyone is to be removed from the US (or placed in detention if they resist being removed).
Take the case of the tattoo artist who was denied entry in the US and detained because she carried a tattoing kit in her luggage, and the immigration officers argued that this was an indication of "intent to work", and thus breaching the limitations of a tourist visa. Exceeding a tourist visa and working without a permit is indeed against the law in many countries, not just the US -- that has not changed. And immigration officers have always been able to make arbitrary decisions. What has changed in the US is their zeal, and also the harshness of the enforcement. This lady was sent to immigration detention for a couple weeks, and had then to pay for her ticket back to Germany. Nobody wants tat to happen to them.
Which brings the classic issue of whether going to the IETF is "tourism" or "business travel". That has always been a bit of a gray area, and IETF participants can obviously be concerned that the immigration officers will be too zealous. Will you have to convince them that you will not be meeting customers, or future employers, or preparing future contracts, or performing consulting services? Can the IETF somehow help you providing proper documentation and avoid this issue? That would be useful!
-- Christian Huitema
