No free pass to Indian celebrities, VIPs at US airports
Tuesday, June 12th, 2012 6:12:54 by Fahad Zafar
No free pass to Indian celebrities, VIPs at US airports (Part -I)
Against the backdrop of Bollywood actor Shahrukh Khan’s detention at a New York airport, the US has ruled out any special screening for VIPs and celebrities unless they have diplomatic exemption, but said it is in talks with several countries to facilitate
hassle-free immigration procedures. India is not among those countries with which the US is having such negotiations. But, announcement in this regard with South Korea is expected soon, custom officials said yesterday.
"I’m not aware of anything right now," John Wagner, Executive Director of Admissibility and Passenger Programmes with the US Customs and Border Protection, told foreign journalists when asked if the US was holding any talks with India to facilitate quick
and hassle-free immigration procedures for people coming from India.
However, US citizens and those holding permanent residency can apply under the "Global Entry" programme, under which once cleared by the federal authorities, an individual would not have to go through the immigration officer, but would have to use the services
of a touch-screen kiosk to enter the country.
"As far as any other, say, process for VIP arrivals, unless they have some type of, say, diplomatic visa or exemption, everyone would go through the same type of process. We don’t want it to be seen as a hassle," Wagner said in response to a question.
Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=25552
Posted by Fahad Zafar
on Jun 12 2012. Filed under Entertainment.
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