An unprecedented post by the US embassy in Athens has already caused a lot of comments as it warns Greeks that if they stay in the US longer than allowed, they may be deported and may be permanently banned from traveling to the country.
The US embassy post on Facebook with special notice “Securing USBorders” states: “If you remain in the US beyond your permitted period of stay, you may be deported and may face a permanent ban on traveling to the US in the future.”
It is true that US travel laws are particularly strict, however, this post is unprecedented especially for a country like Greece with a vibrant community of Diaspora Greeks, many expatriates and a friend and ally of the USA.
Many attribute this to the aggressive policy pursued by Donald Trump at all levels and especially in immigration.
Fact is though that majority of Greeks commented ironically on the post or on the media reports about it with some noting:”Ask us first if we want to come to US” or “Even if you pay me I won’t come.”
“Because this has always been the case, and therefore they are trying to classify Greeks as potential illegal immigrants, no Greek in the US until they apologize, we will not leave our money to those who mock us,” wrote one with bitterness.
“Who would travel to a pariah country, as it turned out, where there is a dictatorship and you risk ending up in Salvadoran prisons because you might have liked a post against Trump?” wrote another.
PS I wonder if there is a similar warning against other EU citizens or Greeks are the only “blessed” ones.
Only idiots travel to the USA while Trump is engineering its total collapse for narcissistic satisfaction (and corrupt money making by his family). British and EU tourists have recently been imprisoned for weeks, for minor irregularities or even previous minor incidents. Better to holiday in North Korea.
We (UK Passport holders) were in the US last November – received multiple warnings of a similar nature both in advance (ESTA appplication) and on arrival, so it is not just directed at Greeks.
thanks
Are we yet allowed to treat the Americans with the same contept they shows to the rest of the world? or woul;d that be contrary to greeks “anti racism law”?
It’s trump and his cronies, not all Americans!!
We left the US 18 years ago with our last visit there, 8 years ago, never to go back…