Norwegian tourist claims he was 'strip searched' before being denied entry to US over JD Vance meme on phone

What a fucking shit hole this country has become that I have to jump through all these hoops just to travel, it wasn't this draconic even after 9/11 but racist losers had to own the libs I guess

Don't forget about all the potential fart jokes.

that's where I store all my best shitposts

When I first moved here as a Scot I was treated well but I was working an unskilled job and met a wide variety of people. Since transferring to academia there's a lot less of it. But the states is on the good list for Norwegians. Which is probably why the little dude thought he would be fine and all the talk of fascism must be made up.

Oh I’m American; I’m an immigrant here. I’m no expert on it. I’ve just lived here for several years and not witnessed that. That said, I’m probably in a bubble.

Ok but where are you originally from. Because they have a very short list of good countries. And a good many of them will say things like "yeah but you're not one of *those* immigrants". I'm not saying everyone is like this but a large number are, especially after a few beers.

TBF, when I first heard of this I didn't realise dude was a tromsøværing. He probably isn't that way just young and dumb.

they also feel like there is no country as good as Norway and everyone must really want to be Norwegian.

I haven’t experienced that in the many years I’ve lived here. It is a humble group of people, seems to me. They also have tons of love for the other Scandinavian countries. You paint a picture of stuck up nationalists, and that’s pretty far from the truth.

For many a trip to the US from Europe is a major event. I'd imagine that many people planned their trips last year before Trump was even reelected and had already invested a lot of money, at which point sunk fallacy plays a role.

I also think that for many it still hasn't registered that they are now also at risk and it's not just the classic family guy meme anymore, where it's based on skin colour.

Norwegians have this fanciful notion that all European and north American countries are essentially the same and that nothing is as bad as it's made out to be by those hysterical foreigners. This requires some degree of cognitive dissonance because they also feel like there is no country as good as Norway and everyone must really want to be Norwegian.

So he probably assumed it wasn't nearly as bad over there as people are saying and if he was to get into difficulty he could just say he's Norwegian and people would just let him off because everyone loves Norwegians. Also he's 21 so not terribly smart yet.

Not to mention that he's probably never been in a situation where a border control person takes your phone.

True. Yeah, I was wondering how that plays out if you simply reply "There are none."

If you have 2 factor authentication, and the authentication device is on another continent, you don't have any means to access the accounts even if they demand it.

They can demand it, but you can't prove a negative.

But I heard they also demand access to ALL social media accounts, which aren't tied to a device.

Some western European countries already do the same thing nowadays. It goes against constitutional laws where you can remain silent and where you can't be forced to help with your own conviction.

“They threatened me with a minimum fine of $5,000 or five years in prison if I refused to provide the password to my phone.”

Jesus Christ. Reminds me of Eastern Europe in the early 90s.

Add that's why certain employers already give a burner phone to their employees if they have to go to the USA.

Well vance is immediately informed and provided a live feed. The strip you and bring you to a very handsome couch. Vance gets very disappointed when you just sit there but he just takes you and the couch he hand picked in and manages to rub one out.

According to my very scientific study for the past 20 years, half of the adults with a driving license don't know how to drive a car and would kill someone to get 5 minutes earlier to their jobs. Half the adults in this world is a fucking moron (a few billion people), that's my explanation.

No, billionaires are above the law.

BTW, the Trump family changed their name before they even came to America, unfortunately - it was such a good story. I still like to call him that from time to time, but also Mango Mussolini, Orange Baby or just mad megalomaniac.

And without him and his ilk we wouldn't even have a "discourse that we should respect people’s choice as to how they define themselves" because that would just be the norm, no need to "discourse" about it.

>And it kind of undermines the discourse that we should respect people’s choice as to how they define themselves.

I do respect peoples choice, but in this case I make an exception. It's him who denies people the right of identifying as themselves. He's a homo-and transphobe who supports the notion that people should identify as they are born, and thus I comply. Once he changes his tune in that regard I will respect his.

It's not like calling Trump Drumpf, Bowmans' mother changed his name and after that he changed his own to not be reminded of the identity he was born with. I use his deadname to spite him on purpose.

I don't understand this, why not call him the way he wants to be called ? He's despicable but his name isn't the problem, I don't see how calling him Bowman (or calling Donald "Drumpf") is making any progress.

And it kind of undermines the discourse that we should respect people's choice as to how they define themselves.

I heard he took the lightbulb out of his fridge because he doesn't believe it turns off when he closes the door.

I heard he puts his cast iron skillet in the dishwasher.

So Cheerios?

JD Vance only eats the cat food part of lucky charms pass it on.

I'm on a campaign to only use the name he got from the idot that spwned him: James Donald Bowman.

Ofc he's now simping for another asshole called Donald.

Definitely seen south Italians darker than me 😂 but coupled with "exotic looks" and the ability to actually tan it's definitely plenty to produce the "terrorist look" and stand out in Scandinavia

Brown like south Italians?

Well yeah, if you're trapped in one of our many prisons, you get to look forward to slave labor! Slavery is perfectly legal and constitutional, as per the 13th amendment.

You should take a peak on what people in the US have to deal with before you go shitting on Canada.

That also isn't how we got into a housing crisis. That was because the Government stopped building houses, and turned real estate into the monster of an investment vehicle it is today.

People are already forking over that kind of money in the US, and have been for years.

ooo, ten years ago prices

>It isn’t simple. Most people I know who have moved to other countries hired an immigration attorney to help. It’s not cheap. Also, you can’t just show up in Canada and get a job. There is a legal process that must be followed. If you don’t have employment with a work visa ahead of time, you have to show proof you have the savings to live without working until you find a job to enter the country to look for work there. Many people don’t have months of expenses in an emergency account to lean on. Lots of impediments.

Do you think any of this should matter to someone who needs to flee a country for their safety? Do you know how many people need to do such things on a regular basis? Why do you believe Americans are different?

Americans are not used to being in this position and are freezing in place. They tell themselves it’s “to fight” and to reclaim the country, but they ignore the reality that this could be a bleak path for ostensibly decades upon decades.

The lesson of 1933 is you get out. But lots of Americans won’t because they have never liked history or valued it.

That sounds a lot like the conditions for people who leave other countries for a better life.

It isn’t simple. Most people I know who have moved to other countries hired an immigration attorney to help. It’s not cheap. Also, you can’t just show up in Canada and get a job. There is a legal process that must be followed. If you don’t have employment with a work visa ahead of time, you have to show proof you have the savings to live without working until you find a job to enter the country to look for work there. Many people don’t have months of expenses in an emergency account to lean on. Lots of impediments.

You see, her CDs are in his truck.

Lack of financials, knowledge, and support? "If the situation is as bad as claimed" is crazy tbh.

Why isn't it that simple? People leave their countries for a better life everyday. If the situation is as bad as claimed I can see no reason why regardless of complexity it isn't the option chosen.

Of only it was that simple

You aren't trapped though! Come to Canada!

And this is how we achieved a population greater than what our housing can support. Unless you’re ready to fork over 1200-2k a month for a 1 bedroom & 1 bathroom then I would advise against this.

I am honestly wondering how long it will be before you are eligible for refugee claims in the world with the state of affairs in your country. You aren't trapped though! Come to Canada! We have a bunch of issues now, but it will be a breathe of fresh air compared to the issues you face.

Do they really want me to be trapped? 😮 might go to El Salvador, but trapped?

I'm brown with a thick beard, so I'm used to being "naturally suspicious and prone to explosion" whenever I am within a 5 km distance of an airport. Yet US airports would scare the shit out of me

You literally aren't an Anarchist because you are literally living under the boot of a dictatorship.

No that's not how it works. Anarchists are people who advocate for the abolition of all authorities and hierarchies, including but not limited to the State, capitalism, xenophobia, racism, sexism, transphobia, etc. You don't have to currently live in an anarchist society to be an anarchist.

You likely wouldn't survive an anarchist society, but you will grow out of that idea eventually I am sure.

Well no I wouldn't survive because everyone dies 😆. But I wouldn't advocate for anarchism if I thought I was going to have a bad time.

But I want to gently push back against the "Mad Max" notion of "anarchy" that I think you're working with. Most forms of anarchism actually call for people to *work together*, to form groups to get stuff done but without the violence inherent in the State and the inequalities of capitalism that States inevitably reinforce.

For more information, see Section A.1 of the Anarchist FAQ.

You literally aren't an Anarchist because you are literally living under the boot of a dictatorship. You likely wouldn't survive an anarchist society, but you will grow out of that idea eventually I am sure.

I am tired of Americans chiming in with "Jokes" when their country is a fucking hell hole that is impacting everyone else.

Go through my post history. I'm literally an anarchist. I literally hate America and I literally want to abolish it. I am perfectly aware of how disgusting American influence is on the world—that's ***why*** I'm making jokes about it. Joking about it is how some people cope with the crushing reality of capitalism. And honestly I thought these two comments were kinda tame.

I like popsicles

>But if I leave the country for any reason I have to come back.

You don't, and that has nothing to do with traveling to the US from another country, so that is why you get the "aggressive" response because I am tired of Americans chiming in with "Jokes" when their country is a fucking hell hole that is impacting everyone else.

Leave, fix your shit, or stop crying to people negatively impacted by your people without adding anything meaningful to the conversation.

But if I leave the country for any reason I have to come back. So then I have to travel into the country.

Also that's kind of an aggressive response for what I meant to be kind of a jokey comment?

Damn. So sorry.

The key word is "travel" thus excluding you and your family from the warning. Now go fix your shit instead of crying to someone who cannot.

Heh, it's cool, that's your right.

I hope you have a good one. <3

>I’m a Christian Anarchist myself...

Yeah... Nah...

I wish your friend safety in their travels!

Lol what degree of douchebag would downvote your comment, holy cow LOL.

I sincerely commend the positivity and kindness you've been bringing to this thread with warmly inviting people to flee to Canada.

Edit: Although maybe you're being a bit harsh further down. :( It doesn't have to be so personal? People are just discussing stuff. Let's not let the decisions of stupid men in power deter us from productive discussion.

I'm glad I could be helpful!

Thankfully, the cell signal situation has improved a LOT among major routes in recent years, so I hope it doesn't sound too scary. There's also safety in numbers, at the very least the buddy system! :)

There's a lot of online information / guides for travelers, and of course, get a U.S SIM card and check who's got the best/broadest service areas where you'll be going. Also, offline maps can be downloaded to your device as well.

(But learning to use a paper one is always an excellent skill to have!)

In case of an emergency, phones can still usually reach 911 (our emergency services number) if they can reach a cell tower *at all*, regardless of "subscription", if that's of any comfort. :)

Thanks a lot, this is super helpful actually! Couldn’t imagine driving through areas for hours without reception or any signs of civilization, sounds kinda exciting and scary at the same time. Will definitely keep this saved

In the South? Yes, definitely.

1. The Mexico border is down there. This is worrisome, not because of the Mexicans, but because ICE gangs like to hang out near the border to try and catch runners. A lot of them are tied up in northern cities right now kidnapping citizens but I wouldn't expect them to leave the southern border undefended.

2. It's extremely hot as fuck right now. Further south you go the worse it gets. I'm ~600 miles north of Orlando and it was 109F outside today (that's about 43C) with over 50% humidity. When you pass through my home state of Louisiana you'll be seeing closer to 115F/80%. With heat that high and humidity content that high heat stroke becomes extremely easy. You'll be dealing with this from Florida through around maybe Texas where it starts to become a drier heat, with lower humidity, but places like Arizona used to hit 120F/49C before we were all talking about global warming.

3. Southern Americans (as in, Southerners in the US, not people who live in South America, I know it's confusing) are not *all* racist, but uh... you'll see more who are, than aren't. If you're any shade of brown you're going to have a rough time. If you speak with a "funny" accent you're going to have a rough time. Armed racists populate huge swathes of the southern and midwestern US. This is statistically more likely to be just upsetting rather than directly harmful in most situations, but I wouldn't want to roll those dice, it's still very possible to find people who would just abduct and kill a foreigner they don't like.

Currently speaking, your biggest problems in the American South right now as a foreign tourist are going to be local racism and ICE. The local racism has been around forever and is mostly tolerable if you don't take offense easily, but you can probably expect to be called some slurs right to your face in more than a few small towns. ICE is a newer and probably bigger problem at the moment. They have orders from the president to capture and deport more people than they will possibly be able to accomplish, so anyone who looks or sounds foreign and doesn't have three forms of ID on them to prove citizenship is increasingly likely to get bagged, tagged, and dragged to a blacksite somewhere. I'm not confident that a tourist visa (or even a work visa) is going to stop them, it's already been proven that actual valid citizenship doesn't stop them.

In general I think they're mostly referring to the fact that the U.S is ridiculously BIG. Like, most visitors freak out at how long you can drive through *almost nothing* here, when going between major population areas.

Driving through wilderness without a lot of extra water and a cellular connection, and maybe a spare tire, for example, is foolhardy.

Along the way, especially in "The South", you'll find the loveliest, kindest people, but you'll also find various, (probably politically motivated, lately) sadists/racists/bullies, some of which may be small-town law enforcement looking for excitement.

The law can be more "flexible" without major oversight in such places, and with the cult of the orange tyrant emboldening the prejudiced lately, that could spell trouble.

There's also various kinds of unsavory types as you'd find in any other country; I'm talking criminals, swindlers, and various weirdos of ill intent, and some stretches of the country are remote. Like, "no signal and it goes on and on in all directions until you see the earth curve" remote.

The vast majority of people are lovely, and would probably welcome and appreciate foreigners, the worst you'd deal with is getting a migraine from stupid but friendly questions about your accent or where you're from.

But like anywhere else, you need your wits about you.

In short:

Lovely place where many sights and adventures can be had! The biggest dangers are the roads and wilderness, basically.

• Don't mess with wildlife.

• Don't go off exploring remote areas in which you have no business

• Don't underestimate the wilderness and go unprepared.

• Practice the same street smarts as you would anywhere else, like don't go getting into strangers' cars or accepting random open beverages.

Setting aside the anomalous political tensions right now, the biggest danger to travelers to this country is seeing it as a big theme park where they can't possibly put themselves in any danger. Your average park rangers have plenty of horror stories about that, I'm sure, like idiots trying to selfie in front of buffalo or stand on the edge of the Grand Canyon, or falling into Yellowstone's tranquil but literally boiling hot springs...

Don't be *that tragic idiot* . . .and you'll likely have a fantastic time.

Hope this helps. :)

Just out of curiosity I know it’s a super long drive but are there like places there where it’s not safe? Have never been to the US

Flying in from outside the US during this time to then attempt to drive all the way across the South

Both. It's both. I hope they stay safe. There are like 4 different major threats to a foreigner on that route.

Yes.

Orlando to LA? Are they crazy or dumb?

I wish your friend safety in their travels!

I mean, that would have been an accurate description of me at age 21

I don't know about pain, but the hard way really is the best teacher. People can tell you things until they are blue in the face, you'll shrug, and when the time comes you may find out what they were talking about. But it will only make sense at that point! Sometimes it can go another way. Sometimes.

As an American, seconded.

I'm trapped here, don't YOU risk being kidnapped and trapped here or sent somewhere worse just because you wanted to see the Grand Canyon.

Some people only learn by pain, apparently.

I have a friend who's going there this weekend. Landing in Orlando, and will be driving to LA. I told him to be very careful!

you do not have a legitimate reason to travel there now.

My parents live here 💀

I live here 💀💀

The US is not safe to travel to and you do not have a legitimate reason to travel there now. Keep this in your mind regardless of what reason you think contradicts this. It is not safe.

Well I for one find this claim entirely credible (unfortunately).

Also, more JD Vance memes! Yay Streisand effect!

"Quick! He might be hiding more memes in his ass!" Like what?

What kind of dumb fuck still goes to the US for tourism?

So are they also going to detain and strip search the owners of any website hosting similar images? Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg.

If I just delete all social media apps from my phone and pretend I don't have any social media accounts would these facist dumb fucks even know or would that seem suspicious?, I could just buy an extra phone but that seems a bit unnecessary

Strip searched by a bald bearded middle aged guy with too much eye liner and an affinity for sofas?

Plot twist, the guy is a memer and did that on purpose to make his meme go viral.

That can only be the reason