"a lack of proof (in the case of tourists) of continuing ties to their origin country." As a US citizen who has traveled to nearly 60 nations, I have never met

"a lack of proof (in the case of tourists) of continuing ties to their origin country." As a US citizen who has traveled to nearly 60 nations, I have never met a more accusatory, aggressive, macho, angry, often-times rude reception than in my land of birth, and I'm a native-born citizen! While what you say, regarding Schengen border controls, may be somewhat true, the nature of their "extra procedures" is completely different in quality to the American counterpart. One doesn't find the systematic large-scale militarized detention center processes nor attitudes. We are the most aggressively suspicious nation and yet no one seems to question 1) if it's even effective. Barring warrant nabs, which a simple ID scan can produce, what actual harm to the public is being prevented and at what cost to our national values and business productivity? (to say nothing of the MOOD) 2) if, in fact, foreigners are actually coming over to the USA with the explicit intent to harm the nation and how you could possibly stop that at a border, if they were to comply proceduraly. I would warrant that most people will be hostile to hostile and intrusive questions asked by an irate and overworked angry border beaurocrat whose only daily joy, as pointed out in the article, is in exercising their power to expel someone etc... 3) What about Ben Franklin's famous quote and our national values? "Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." I think that it's clear as the nose on my face that recent top-level directives and a general change in leadership and policies has resulted in a more rigorous entry process to the USA and the work culture for these officers has changed from "be polite cheerful and thorough" to "give em a hard time" If we can get some acknowledgment of this point, that would be great :D Why such a sycophantic attitude towards those abusing power?