World Fascism Report. Backpackers denied entry to Ireland because they had no hotel to stay at and no bank accounts

Pretty standard really to have to show you have money at least (even just knowing the same of hostel is usually enough) …. worst is trying to enter the USA, but to be honest most backpackers aren’t exactly a benefit to their countries they drink in so I can see why they try to keep them back …

#3

You also forgot that they get awfully suspicious of you if instead of getting a red lobster sunburn you get a fabulous tan.

They obviously said something to the customs officer to indicate they planned to get a job, or something similar. This is certainly not the norm. On another note, imagine the number of news articles we’d be reading for all the people who are refused entry into the US.

Back in 2005 I (a citizen of the usa) went to a conference in Vancouver and at customs I couldn’t remember the name of the hotel I was staying at and got sent to the special search area so i’m not entirely surprised about this. Saddened but not surprised.

Do the rockets know Yao Ming was backpacking?

They must have said something stupid. I’ve never been asked those things (besides filling out a landing card you can lie on) when flying into any EU country.

Being from Texas it’s no wonder they were shocked. Coming up from Mexico into the U.S. they would have been given some welfare paperwork, directions to the closest maternity ward, some bottles of water, a lotto ticket for a Social Security card and qualified for a house they couldn’t afford.

USA has had the same rules for Canadians since at least 1970. Whether they get enforced is mostly luck, but you can help yourself.

When crossing borders, be polite, quiet, answer the questions, and don’t volunteer any information.

Cant blame them for not wanted a bunch of hippies entering the country.

In the backpacking circles of Europe, (I backpacked for 6 months thru 9 countries) the Americans are generally disliked by everyone. These kids can blame the decades of arrogant Americans that went before them for spoiling it for them. Being from Canada, I was welcomed everywhere and had a great time, but there were some awkward moments at some of the youth hostels when an American would open their mouth and talk about how much better things were in thier country. It would seem these Irish know exaclty what they are doing by not letting in these pennyless clowns.

I spent a lot of time overseas and never understood the arrogance of a lot of people from the US. I would purposely go off the beaten path and spend time with locals getting to know the country. They never treated me badly so long as I treated them with respect.

So the Gen X and Y probably have mouths on them that they couldn’t keep shut. Too bad boys.

You should see some of the ones they DO let in.
Also. Good idea to go into the country with your pregnant girl friend. Any baby born in Ireland automatically gets citizenship.
Doesn’t half cause some resentment there.
Majority of births in Dublin hospital maternity wards – I am unreliably informed – are from Europeans (East Europeans) taking advantage of the rules. This is a country highly hostile to the British in many quarters (particularly in the schools, of which I have first-hand experience/knowledge) but clearly has a different perception of others (not backpackers).

Were these guys aware of what Irish weather is like? Looking at how they are dressed, apparently not. Even in the “summer”, this is not a backpacker-friendly country, since you need to be dressed for at least three seasons at all times of the day and night. These muppets would have ended up requiring a rescue from the top of Glendalough, or drowning in a Connemara bog.

I wish I was Canadian – they keep telling us how wonderful they are!

My first international trip was done on minimum funds back in 83. I was flying to london to later take the ferry to france and the train to spain. They stopped me in JFK, and told me that unless I had x amount of money they probrably wouldn’t let me in to england and that I’d be responsible to pay my flight back were that the case. If it weren’t for the fact that the customs agent was a woman, and I had a romantic sob story (wanted to surprise my girlfriend), and it was christmas eve, they probrably would’ve sent me back. It’s a typical error of inexperience. Stupid kids.

Screw backpackers!!!

They’re from Texas, that’s the real reason they were kept out.

Don’t go. I once wanted to visit Europe especially the part that spoke English. Forget it.

It isn’t that I don’t want to respect the laws, rules, and customs but things have been regulated to the point that it feels like jail.

Of course we are getting to be the same way soon and in many place we may already be as bad.

Yeah, this is pretty common and quite sensible IMHO. Traveling freely as a backpacker is great fun & very rewarding. But traveling without _any_ plans or means of support is bone-headed. All you have to do is provide some documentary evidence of “living money” and organise your first accommodation (Even just a night in a dorm) before entering most countries.

Quite often people get “effed-up” here in Australia by just wandering around in places like the Kimberly without enough supplies, comms options and/or telling people where they’re planning on going.

If you want fascism, you should try getting into the USA some time battling cocky and under-scrutinised TSA goons fearful of some fictitious “terrorism” threat.

#37 Same thing they’ll do to you if you try that in any European country.

#39 Wrote that comment from the Doctor’s waiting room. Been there for 3 months already. But hey, it’s free!

The purpose of letting tourists in is to get their tourism money. Nothing wrong with requiring them to show they have some. If they’re not going to spend money they’re useless to you.

Arrogant Americans – huh. Truth hurts. Problem is you don’t need to rub other’s noses in it – that’s just rude and stupid.

“If they want us to go to their country, they shouldn’t do this,” – LMAO, no sh*t !!!

I have to agree with most of the comments here, the guys must’ve given the customs officers some attitude or something to get refused. Ireland is generally pretty relaxed when it comes to this sort of thing, unless some new memo has been issued since the “economic meltdown”.
Amuses me that this makes the news when the US/Canada/Australia etc. have much more stringent entry requirements with visas.

# 20 probably hit the nail on the head, there is a certain feeling that by holding a US passport, citizens think they are exempt from the rules.”I am a US Citizen, and I DEMAND entry!”.
Of course, I’m not suggesting that this stereotype is completely true, can’t paint everyone with the same brush, but you’ve gotta understand that there is a lot of resentment of US-foreign policy, NOT the people. If you must blame someone, blame the government for creating this climate of fear/paranoia, oh and McGyver for his years of flaunting borer regulations

#21, Cow-Patty

Really? How come I’ve entered the EU from the US too many times for me to count and have NEVER been asked to prove anything, other than I’m carrying a US passport?

Because you are a habitual liar. In your dreams doesn’t count.

The few times I have entered the EU and even other countries, I have always been asked where I will be staying and how long I will be there. I have even been asked to show evidence I could afford my stay (France).

Of course, since you habitually lie, …

# 47 jbellies said, “If what Dusan (#19) writes is correct, then I’ve *never* ”

I figured out what Dusan was referring to. It is the law and is only applied if you look like a refuge. Business people aren’t bothered by customs people. They just ask what you are there for (business, tourist, etc.) and then stamp your passport.

As an American currently residing in Ireland I can unequivocally state from personal experience that the average Irish citizen doesn’t really like Americans. The feeling goes from a mild indifference all the way up to rage. They have demonstrated by the hundreds at Shannon airport against the American military using the airport as a refuelling stop. And a few years back when the Air Force “Thunderbirds” aerobatic team was invited to the Galway summer festival to perform there were loads of “anti-American demonstrators in attendance.

Many times when talking to strangers on the street they ask me if I’m Canadian (that’s OK). But when I say: “No. I’m an American a sneer generally appears on their face. Now when asked I add: I’m an American, THANK GOD! That really pisses ‘em off.

However, they do happen to like American’s dollars and the numerous American companies (Dell, Intel, Hewlett Packard, Motorola, etc, etc) who pump billions into the economy.

The Irish mentality is basically Uber-Liberal and their cheapness makes the Scotch look like Bill Gates charity organizations.

Many love two things about America
1) Disney World vacations. (The Irish like most Europeans declare it is the “Human right” to have at least 4-weeks vacations out of the country)
2) New York shopping trips. (Bring two empty suitcases to NY at the beginning of December and fly back to Ireland with thousands of dollars worth of goods. The amount of good allowed to be brought back without paying duty-tax is only about 100 dollars, but Irish customs turn a blind eye).

Basically, I figure the Irish have one big cultural insecurity complex. They like what America has (Maybe not after Obama has his way) but they cannot have it and that really sets off their spoild brat tantrums.

The refusal of entry to these 3-kids was just an individual’s way of giving the U.S. the finger!

My advice to those youngsters? Give the land of Leprechauns a miss. And write to Congressman Peter King (R-NY)and let him know what you went through in his “adopted” country.

“They have demonstrated by the hundreds at Shannon airport against the American military using the airport as a refuelling stop.”

1. They’re not protesting “refueling” – they’re protesting the use of the airport for the stopover of CIA rendition flights.

2. It’s not even a “few hundred people”; we’re taking about few dozen hard-left protesters out of a population of 4 million people. But well done for generalized based on 0.01% of the population.

3. If strangers asked me my nationality and I seriously replied “I’m an Irishman, THANK GOD!”, I wouldn’t be surprised at them sneering; that the reactions that nationalistic assholes usually get.

P.