How come?

[sesamosinsal]

I remember having read somewhere that the US was unhappy with Argentina being used as a bridge to get into the US. Mostly Chinese, who would settle in Argentina some time, get residence/whatever in Argentina and then go to the US.

Any person who emigrated from one country to Argentina would have needed citizenship (i.e., an Argentine passport) to make use of the Visa Waiver program.

A lot of Latin America is used as a bridge for getting to the U.S. illegally. The borders are so porous, and corruption is rife, as we all know. One country that was used as a bridge for human trafficking quite heavily was Ecuador last year. The Correa Administration rescinded visa requirements for countries like Afghanistan, Bangladesh, etc. All of a sudden, citizens of these countries began arriving in droves. The Ecuadorian government soon reinstated the visa requirement for those countries, and said that the country was clearly being used as a bridge for human trafficking.

It´s an online preapproval thing, right? Don't think it's free anymore.

The system is called ESTA. It isn't free, and it's only for citizens of VWP countries. Australia has a similar system.

 

[PastPerfect]

Whatever the reason, Europe, even being as racist and so backwards regarding immigrants as they sometimes are, are much more relaxed regarding visas. And I do not think they have a bigger problem with illegals as the US! The US is just wasting money they could get through tourism, as many people are put off by so much bureaucracy to get it...and then the way they are treated by immigration personnel!

Are they? One of my Argentinian students is about to go to Spain for a month for an internship. The amount of paperwork she has had to do is incredible. Notarized letters of introduction, housing, employment, etc. It's crazy.

 

[BAFinance]

Isn't it ironic, as we approach the 10th anniversary of 9/11 (locally 11/9) that almost anyone from any country is allowed into the U.S., except Argentines, who have to go through an expensive screening process? Others want and will stay forever. Argentines just want to go to Gap and A&F stores.

The bitchin never really stops here, does it? Speaking poorly of US policies on 9/11.....Come on.....It's a day for us to be Americans and love our country.

 

[PastPerfect]

The bitchin never really stops here, does it? Speaking poorly of US policies on 9/11.....Come on.....It's a day for us to be Americans and love our country.

This is the internet. 95% of it is either porn or people complaining about something.

 

[glasgowjohn]

The Visa Waver Programme is applicable to a number of countries including the UK.
To eliminate paperwork the ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) online programme was introduced – initially this was free but in late 2010, a $US 14 fee was brought in.
The ESTA system is not a visa , it just replaces the green I-94 form we had to fill in.

 

[Amargo]

Are they? One of my Argentinian students is about to go to Spain for a month for an internship. The amount of paperwork she has had to do is incredible. Notarized letters of introduction, housing, employment, etc. It's crazy.

Yes, at least as a tourist it is way easier for Argentines to get into Europe.

 

[elclandestino]

Plenty of my fellow Yugoslavians used Argentina as a bridge to the USA during the war back in 90's. They'd come here, get citizenship in a few years and go to the States.

Argentina is probably the world's softest spot to get a valuable passport