Well, it seems that for the common mortals who just want to spend their good old earned cash south of the border, it will increasingly become more stringent. Those with criminal records or a minor brush with the law will just be barred from ever entering again down South in a few weeks. They will probably remove waivers altogether. Tough luck @John Rogers.
So, once a criminal always a criminal according to the current administration, even though the head of state, himself has a criminal record. Maybe this is what was needed so politicians can admit that minor offenders deserve second chances and people must be treated with respect, including illegal migrants. They are humans.
Lots of countries, including Australia, New Zealand and Canada alike are asking about criminal convictions on the ETA forms, as if someone who smoked a joint and got caught or has a DUI from 15 yrs ago is a hardcore national security threat. You will be scrutinized and followed, asked to dish out huge sums to visit a said country for the protection of the common public. I just love how governments spin it around. The whole system reeks. Now, if they catch you transporting drugs while attempting to cross, that's a whole different story. I mean you are basically asking for it.
The UK seems lax on their new ETA form, but will surely tighten it up. The EU who continuously delays their ETA will likely bar people with criminal records in the future. All this the direct result of uncontrolled immigration where some thugs decided to commit heinous acts and far right parties are using this to their advantage to erode away our liberties.
I do understand that many people must travel to the US because of their employment or family, but who in the right mind will spend $1000+ US, which I repeat was raised under Biden, to just go visit if they have a criminal record, arrests, charges or whatever. The paper itself is valid for a period of 1-5 yrs and the waiting times are horrendous. Now, having such paper is no longer a guarantee because for the current administration everything non American is vile. That's immense pain to inflict on tourists who are just going to boost your local economy anyways.
Time to remove these silly barriers and treat people with dignity. But who you will rise up? No one. This disparity between the far right and far left must end. A new vision is needed. Woke vs. Fascists. They have destroyed the fabric of society and the gullible believe the lies.
Anyways, my days of going south are done. I got into a minor incident with a neighbor a while back. Unfounded charges were laid and I plead guilty to mischief to get it over with. I was misled by a lousy lawyer who just wanted to rush the case and close the file.
A middle aged person was now a hardcore criminal according to this country, just because out of anger I tossed something and it shattered. Got discharged like our friend Trump and always feared travelling there ever since.
As luck would have it, I was employed by an american company shortly after. Got sponsored and travelled frequently and never had any issues. I unfortunately got laid off and I never attempted crossing again. Now, they will stop me, question me, treat me like a criminal, humiliate me, tell me to pay another $1000+ US for a paper and pay an add. 500$ to some guy like John so I can bolster my case. They must vet me to the core. I'm a no good human who deserve nothing but disgust. Common folks, rise up and speak. Let's get real for a moment. If the US thinks you're a menace, why spend your money there?
Time to end this sharade, you have a voice. Put pressure on the canadian government to end this farce once and for all.
