Shah Rukh Khan's tussle at the Newark Intl. caused a major furore among the Indians and Indian community across the world. There were proponents who called it a publicity stunt, a stuck up attitude and others were sympathetic. During this entire high adrenalin emotional drama, a lot issues and scenarios were left undiscussed.
Mainstream media in India, came up with sensational titles. I am pretty sure their TRP's would have set a new record. News has become a commodity to be packaged and sold. Fact be damned. When media functions with such callous and self-aggrandizing manner, it is best to disseminate the facts from their version of it.
Travel across nations has become an adventure in itself post 9/11. Especially to USA. Prior to 9/11, travel into and out of USA was relatively simple. You arrived and Immigration official asked your purpose of visit and other such mundane questions. The type of visa you are traveling on also had an impact on the questions asked. Almost 95% of the time you would not be refused an entry. INS officers are a courteous bunch. The amount of people they process can fray nerves at the end of the day.
After 9/11 and terrorist threat, airports became semi-fortresses. Heightened security procedures are required and cannot be done away with, however annoying of laborious they are. Your each and every move inside the terminal is monitored. Thermal imaging, RF scanners, chemical scanners, face recognition software running on computers- you name it. It is all there.
Let me take you through a dispassionate view of how the Immigration official looks at you. You are classified as a risk or safe. Suspicion is paramount. You passport and visa are verified for its authenticity. Once that is cleared, a set of questions are asked. Typically these are information on your passport and visa. Single travelers are asked more questions. Guests are welcome, as long as they do not overstay. To fully comprehend this, you would have to travel to USA and see. What is the guarantee that you will leave their country once your business is complete, whatever that maybe? What if, I, after gaining entry, throw away my passport and become an illegal alien? All these scenarios and questions pass through the Immigration official's mind. But you are quite aware of the complexities. So I will let you ponder over this, while I work on my next post.
What caused the Immigration official to single our Mr. Khan for additional questioning?
