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A comment on German Girl Turned Away at Border Due to Private Facebook Messages. Parent comment

Re:German Girl Turned Away at Border Due to Private Facebook... by tehmaco on Wednesday June 12, 2013 @04:32AM (#5867111)
I think Germany is part of the Visa Waiver Program, so she would have had to apply via ESTA before she flew out.

It wouldn't surprise me now if there was a system in place that used the ESTA information to query the NSA/CIA/etc for anything that might be an issue for immigration control.

If she's been talking about working in the USA and hasn't got a visa (ESTA is only for personal visits, not business IIRC), that's enough for the TSA to refuse her entrance for lying to them.

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Re:German Girl Turned Away at Border Due to Private Facebook... by arethuza on Wednesday June 12, 2013 @06:05AM (#5867341)
"(ESTA is only for personal visits, not business IIRC)"

It's for both both business and pleasure - says right there on the ESTA home page:

https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/

"You plan to travel to the United States for business or pleasure."

NB I've travelled a few times the US over the last few years on business using ESTA so you had me slightly worried there!

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Re:German Girl Turned Away at Border Due to Private Facebook... by julian_t on Wednesday June 12, 2013 @07:39AM (#5867550)
As far as I'm aware, there is a big difference between travelling to the US (and many other countries) to conduct business, and seeking employment. I think it's the first one that is covered by ESTA...
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