Travel Advisories- Don't Say Nobody Told You When In Similar Predicament

[pinoyisip]

U.S. Immigration , US Dept. of Homeland Security & TRAVEL

ADVISORY

This information is very alarming and I think it's worth sharing to save
you from trouble and embarassment. It happened 3x already to the people I personally know and still sad stories like these
keep on popping up. Just advising fellow traveling Biliranons,
especially at this time.

A Filipino friend shared this email. His friend who works for Homeland
Security as Immigration Inspector at LAX ( Los Angeles International
Airport ) called him yesterday to share the information that happened
last weekend. A FIL-AM citizen who was flying to the Philippines for
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 was told to open all the envelopes
inside her carry-on Coach bag.

They found 10 envelops addressed to different people in the Philippines
When all the envelops 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' 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 is
illegal to import and export over $10,000 in any Asian countries to
prevent the possibility of supporting terrorism.

She was fined $500, her name was 'red labeled' by Immigration (means
every time she enters and exits the airport, she will be searched 100%),
and she also missed her scheduled flight to the Philippines for being
held almost 5 hours. Hard to believe that departing passengers from the
U.S. are also subject to the policy but looks like it is being strictly
enforced now.

The lessons learned is before you accept any 'padala', make sure the
envelopes are open and you physically see the contents of it or just
plainly say 'sorry but I can't accept any padala' for your own safety.


================================================== ======

Wed Nov 14, 2007 9:38 pm (PST)


This email came from a former U.S. Embassy employee and this could be
useful to all balikbayans

Subject: TRAVEL ADVISORY FROM AMERICAN EMBASSY MANILA
PIRATED VCDs/DVDs, BOOKS and FAKE HAND BAGS

Please share this with your friends and relatives.

Please be informed of the recent travel advisory to the United States.

However, not only pirated VCDs/DVDs are on the hot list. Customs
officials are also looking into fake bags like Louis Vuitton, Coach,
etc. Please be informed that the American Association of Publishers
(AAP) has also alerted the American customs officers to check out for
pirated books. This information; was given to me by Patricia Judd of the
AAP.

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 going from the Philippines and
coming back to the USA , with 'pasalubongs' and 'padalas,' please read
this important enclosed advisory from the American Embassy in Manila .

Please share with your friends.

Just a friendly reminder: if you have plans of going to the U.S. ,
please take precautionary measures on all 'padalas,' especially those
containing fake/pirated compact discs/DVDs. US Embassy employees have
been given an advisory that as US Gov't employees, we should abide by
the U.S.laws, including Intellectual Property Rights (anti-piracy) laws.


As an additional incentive, the Consular Section recently received a
report that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) searched the bag
of a Filipino entering the U.S. on NW 72 in Detroit .

During the search, 70-80 compact discs, 30-40 empty DVD jackets and
10-20 DVDs were found. Since the travelers were not American citizens,
their visas were canceled and they returned 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 even ONE pirated item can jeopardize your trip. Also,
the fingerprinting system has successfully been 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.

Thanks and regards.

Have a safe travel!

[Europa]

Jalm, Wowie, Justme, I Hope This Is Not Too Much To Ask..this Advisory From Pinoy Isip Is Very Important, Specially To All The Balikbayans. Maraming Uuwi Ngayong Pasko, At Siempre Hindi Maiwasan Ang Mga "paki" Or Padala.. To All The Kababayan Pls Take Note, This Is An Advisory You Cannot Afford To Ignore.. Sana This Will Stay A Bit In The Headlines Of This Forum...thank You

[Wowie]

Thread stickied for everyones sake
Thanks for the Informative post of pinoyisip.
Also thanks to Europa for the concern