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So an academic came on a tourist visa, but was giving a talk related to his work and accepting money. Under US visa rules this is allowed, but is not being clas

So an academic came on a tourist visa, but was giving a talk related to his work and accepting money. Under US visa rules this is allowed, but is not being classified as "work", so a tourist visa is sufficient. Except the Agent (who has probably never met an academic) didn't realise this and incorrectly (although understandably) concluded that the Mr. Rousso was working while on a tourist visa. Especially since Mr. Roussos speaking fee is probably the equivalent of a few days work for the customs agent This is probably a simple mix-up that escalated because of a clash of cultures (both national and educational).

maxerickson 10y ago
It's easy to fix. Dramatically simplify the visa system. If people are loudly concerned about competition for jobs, address it with employment taxes on workers that are not residents.
hackuser 10y ago
> This is probably a simple mix-up What basis is there for concluding that? Also, apparently Rousso has been traveling to the US for years, presumable sometimes in the same circumstances, without a problem.
justin66 10y ago
> This is probably a simple mix-up that escalated because of a clash of cultures (both national and educational). Twenty minutes would be indicative of a simple mix-up. 10 hours is honestly just kind of strange (think of how many people in the escalation process didn't understand the rules or didn't care) and IMO indicates a pretty serious problem.
polotics 10y ago
a (quote) "simple mix up"? 10 stressful hours? I dread going for work again will avoid having to.
ghaff 10y ago
It's not unique to the US. See this story related to the UK for example: https://webdevlaw.uk/2016/08/22/uk-conference-speaker-visa/ https://webdevlaw.uk/2016/08/22/uk-conference-speaker-visa/ In fact, the UK appears to require a different visa for this purpose. (And it's not clear to me from a couple of things I've read that the Tourist Waiver Program covers paid engagements in the US arranged in advance--though there is a Business Waiver Program.) Getting paid to speak at a conference can definitely raise issues if you're used to just getting a standard visa for tourism or just attending a conference.

maxerickson 10y ago

It's easy to fix. Dramatically simplify the visa system. If people are loudly concerned about competition for jobs, address it with employment taxes on workers that are not residents.

hackuser 10y ago

> This is probably a simple mix-up What basis is there for concluding that? Also, apparently Rousso has been traveling to the US for years, presumable sometimes in the same circumstances, without a problem.

justin66 10y ago

> This is probably a simple mix-up that escalated because of a clash of cultures (both national and educational). Twenty minutes would be indicative of a simple mix-up. 10 hours is honestly just kind of strange (think of how many people in the escalation process didn't understand the rules or didn't care) and IMO indicates a pretty serious problem.

polotics 10y ago

a (quote) "simple mix up"? 10 stressful hours? I dread going for work again will avoid having to.

ghaff 10y ago

It's not unique to the US. See this story related to the UK for example: https://webdevlaw.uk/2016/08/22/uk-conference-speaker-visa/ https://webdevlaw.uk/2016/08/22/uk-conference-speaker-visa/ In fact, the UK appears to require a different visa for this purpose. (And it's not clear to me from a couple of things I've read that the Tourist Waiver Program covers paid engagements in the US arranged in advance--though there is a Business Waiver Program.) Getting paid to speak at a conference can definitely raise issues if you're used to just getting a standard visa for tourism or just attending a conference.