According to the Department of Commerce, international visitors to the United States spent almost $14 billion in tourist-related activities in May 2012. That is $1 billion more than May 2011!
I hope that such news will translate into the United States becoming more welcoming to foreign tourists. Whenever I return from an international trip, I along with everyone else, must go through customs. We all have to deal with ICE (Immigration Customs and Enforcement) officers.
If you are a US citizen, you will be in one line. If you are a lawful permanent resident or visa holder, you must get in the other line. I always feel bad for the folks in the "other line" since most likely a few of them will be detained for hours undergoing secondary questioning by ICE officers. This process can instill fear in those who actually are here to briefly visit the U.S.
Some folks have told me that they now try to avoid flying to the U.S. because they get so stressed going through our customs process.
Hopefully the news about international visitors bringing so much money to our country will affect the way we greet foreign visitors. Hopefully folks will feel welcomed to visit and spend their money, instead of jumping through hoops prior to officially entering the country.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2012/07/13/international-visitors-us-spent-record-139-billion-may-helping-support-us-jobs
I hope that such news will translate into the United States becoming more welcoming to foreign tourists. Whenever I return from an international trip, I along with everyone else, must go through customs. We all have to deal with ICE (Immigration Customs and Enforcement) officers.
If you are a US citizen, you will be in one line. If you are a lawful permanent resident or visa holder, you must get in the other line. I always feel bad for the folks in the "other line" since most likely a few of them will be detained for hours undergoing secondary questioning by ICE officers. This process can instill fear in those who actually are here to briefly visit the U.S.
Some folks have told me that they now try to avoid flying to the U.S. because they get so stressed going through our customs process.
Hopefully the news about international visitors bringing so much money to our country will affect the way we greet foreign visitors. Hopefully folks will feel welcomed to visit and spend their money, instead of jumping through hoops prior to officially entering the country.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2012/07/13/international-visitors-us-spent-record-139-billion-may-helping-support-us-jobs
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