Trump to suspend VWP? [No - a different scheme]

[serfty]

This is old news.
Questions relating to more detailed family info and travel history were added to ESTA during 2015. Optional questions relating to social media were added in 2016, when the VWP bans for people having visited certain middle east nations since 2011 were added.

No changes to ESTA or the VWP have been made by the Trump White House (at this time). There has been some talk about adding more requirements re the social media questions.

The question about parents has existed for a while now...

The Parent Question has existed for over 3 years, since at least November 2014.

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....new-esta-questions-moral-turpitude-64058.html

 

[blackcat20]

Re: Trump and the new ESTA [ There is no new ESTA. ]

The Parent Question has existed for at least 3 years, before November 2014.

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....new-esta-questions-moral-turpitude-64058.html

Yeah; it was there when I applied last year, but not for my previous application.

 

[Quickstatus]

Re: Trump and the new ESTA [ There is no new ESTA. ]

We have an upcoming US trip for this October. Our current ESTA will expire before then, so we decided to do the right thing and panic.

I quickly submitted all new applications for 4 people on Sunday, which automatically cancels our existing visa status. What I did notice however, was the extra questions - asking for all parents names. Obviously that means myself and husband for our kids, but in the case of us - well, all parents are dead. So why they think this is useful information I do not know. But I would imagine it is for cross referencing and gaining just that little bit more of an intimate profile for all (including New) Australians. Hoping that doesn't come across as racist - I didn't know how else to put it.

ABC News is reporting great confusion and ambiguity from dual citizens, FIFO sales reps to multi national corporations, so we have a right to question and discuss.

Just calling it fake news on this forum may be a default response, but the Status Quo has changed and therefore it IS news.

Why is it racist when it's the same form for everyone.
We won't ever know why they want parental names but do we ever get told the reason for such questions?.
Yes Status quo has changed and it is news but it's still (in this case) old. Of course the right to comment on any news real fake old or alternative is protected.
ABC news? not sure that's a very reliable and impartial (which is their charter) news source. Vast majority of travellers have no issues. Only a small number. Storm in a teacup
Anyway let's call this Old news. It has been in place since before POTUS45. No one complained about it then.

BTW still waiting for Saudi Arabia to start admitting refugees especially Muslim refugees

 

[clipped_wings]

Re: Trump and the new ESTA [ There is no new ESTA. ]

Touche.

I stand corrected about the fact that our Visa Waiver Program (whatever it's called but let's call it that, shall we?) is not changing. Totally unacceptable and non credible information by me.

Moving right along folks, let's get back on track to the more important discussion:

Where are my &%*$@&* car keys?

 

[Himeno]

The Parent Question has existed for over 3 years, since at least November 2014.

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....new-esta-questions-moral-turpitude-64058.html

It was not present when I got my first ESTA on current passport (Oct 14). It was there when parents got ESTA in early 2015.

 

[Quickstatus]

Re: Trump and the new ESTA [ There is no new ESTA. ]

Touche.

I stand corrected about the fact that our Visa Waiver Program (whatever it's called but let's call it that, shall we?) is not changing. Totally unacceptable and non credible information by me.

Moving right along folks, let's get back on track to the more important discussion:

Where are my &%*$@&* car keys?

I'm always told this answer:
"the last place you put them"

 

[dajop]

Re: Trump and the new ESTA [ There is no new ESTA. ]

BTW still waiting for Saudi Arabia to start admitting refugees especially Muslim refugees

Although irrespective of support or otherwise for Trump's executive orders on immigration and refugees, things will become grim indeed if Saudi Arabia style government becomes the standard which we compare our ourselves too ....

 

[drron]

Re: Trump and the new ESTA [ There is no new ESTA. ]

As to the story of the Melbourne boy with dual nationality.at present all we have is the family saying that US consular officials denied him a visa interview.none of the stories I read had the journalist asked the US Embassy/Consulate for a reply.At worst you have a Consular official who misinterpreted the Exec Order or who had a power problem.
Six months ago an immigration officer at LAX wasn't going to let me in.So I did a modified HUACA-told him I would fill out another form then went to a different line and had no problem.It happens and especially in the US.It is not known as LOFTAP for nothing.
Many of the other stories in the media are people denied entry because they have travelled to thev 7 countries and dont have a new visa-that was the case for the last year and has nothing to do with Trump.
Other articles are people thinking they will be banned but not having sought advice.

Then just remember some of the things that have happened in the past-
https://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2...e-denied-entry-to-u-s-for-twitter-jokes/?_r=0
Canadian reporter Ed Ou barred from entering US - BBC News

 

[Vic]

Re: Trump and the new ESTA [ There is no new ESTA. ]

the prime minister had to seek an exemption. I really don't agree that a consular official misinterpreted anything. Having to get the prime minister to intervene means that was the intention. Real enough for the PM to do something.

 

[serfty]

It was not present when I got my first ESTA on current passport (Oct 14). It was there when parents got ESTA in early 2015.

In conjunction with the thread I linked to, your information provides a reasonably accurate time stamp.

With that then, end of October/early November 2014.

 

[drron]

Re: Trump and the new ESTA [ There is no new ESTA. ]

the prime minister had to seek an exemption. I really don't agree that a consular official misinterpreted anything. Having to get the prime minister to intervene means that was the intention. Real enough for the PM to do something.

The PM intervened to try and shore up his quickly disappearing popularity.There had already been reassurances from homeland security about the matter of dual citizens.

 

[CaptJCool]

Re: Trump and the new ESTA [ There is no new ESTA. ]

For those who didn't read the actual executive order, it refers to the visa waiver regulations which were changed by Obama. Obama removed the right to VWP and replaced it with the interview system

There is NO direct reference to specified countries in the EO (except for specific mention of Syria)

what this EO did was to suspend the visa interview process without notice And then everyone jumped to conclusions....
even led to Uber dramas
https://qz.com/898159/why-are-people-deleting-uber-a-trump-backlash-the-company-didnt-deserve/

Was it harsh, unreasonable and unjust?
because it was announced in the election, why the surprise ?
The on the ground implementation was because "we were only following the new system". And now everyone must Eat soup before main course and everyone must suffer for the potential sins of the very few.

Walk backs have occurred eg PM Getting an exemption for dual nationals and all the liberals breath a sigh of relief - phew turned out to be not as bad as we first thought ...

 

[Franky]

Re: Trump and the new ESTA [ There is no new ESTA. ]

'You are a good example of the problems engendered by the media's hysterical reaction to the temporary national restrictions. Mass confusion rather than clarity of the facts (mind you, the US announcements haven't been that clear either - but there's never been any question re Australian citizens without dual nationality).'

And RooFlyer, that's what Trump claimed from day one..