A friendly warning to travelers to and from the US INQUIRER.net
First Posted 04:43pm (Mla time) 01/21/2008
This information is very alarming. I think it's worth sharing to save you from trouble and embarrassment. This email came from a former U.S. Embassy employee and could be useful to all balikbayans (returning natives). His friend, who works for Homeland Security as Immigration Inspector at the Los Angeles International Airport called him yesterday to share this information on what happened last weekend.
A Fil-Am citizen flying to the Philippines for a vacation was apprehended by an Airport Immigration agent while she was checking in her baggage and going through the X-ray machine. For some reason, she was randomly checked and told to open all the envelopes inside her carry-on Coach bag.
They found 10 envelopes addressed to different people in the Philippines. When all the envelopes were opened, a total of $11,000 cash was discovered. They asked the traveler if she knew the contents of the envelope. She said no, because all the envelopes are just padala (objects carried as a favor) and the senders didn't tell her whether or not there was money inside.
Immigration agents showed her a policy and guidance stating that it’s illegal to import and export over $10,000 in any Asian country, to prevent the possibility of supporting terrorism. She was fined $500, her name was "red labeled" by Immigration (meaning every time she enters and exits the airport, she will be searched 100%), and she missed her scheduled flight to the Philippines by being held almost 5 hours. Hard to believe that passengers departing from the U.S. are also subject to the policy but looks like it is being strictly enforced now.
The lesson learned is that for your own safety, before you accept any padala , make sure the envelopes are open and you see the contents, or just plainly say, "Sorry but I can't accept any padala.â€
Not only pirated VCDs/DVDs are on the hot list. Customs officials are also looking into fake bags like Louis Vuitton, Coach, etc. The American Association of Publishers (AAP) has also alerted the American customs officers to check for pirated books.
Please warn all nursing graduates who plan to take the NCLEX and CGF exams in the States not to bring in these pirated books because there will be a penalty of automatic deportation as violation of intellectual property rights. If you know anyone coming from the Philippines to the US with pasalubong (homecoming presents) and padala, please share this important advisory from the American Embassy in Manila.
US Embassy employees have been advised that US government employees should abide by US laws, including Intellectual Property Rights (anti-piracy) laws. Recently the Consular Section received a report from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and searched the bag of a Filipino entering the U.S. on NW 72 in Detroit. 70-80 compact discs, 30-40 empty DVD jackets and 10-20 DVDs were found during the search.
Since the travelers were not American citizens, their visas were canceled and they had to return to the Philippines. If they had been Americans, they could have been subject to arrest and criminal prosecution in addition to civil fines and penalties.
Please remember: just ONE pirated item can jeopardize your trip. Also, the fingerprinting system has been successfully instituted in all port of entries. I suggest you bring extra identification cards in addition to your passport to facilitate your entry in the US Immigration. I hope this is helpful to you.
Forwarded by Peque Gallaga
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