5 ms·

I heard a pretty good interpretation of why these questions exist. If you say that you don't plan to commit crimes and then commit one, you have essentially lie

I heard a pretty good interpretation of why these questions exist. If you say that you don't plan to commit crimes and then commit one, you have essentially lied on the form. In some cases at least it is way easier for the state to deport someone if they lie on their immigration form. But if the question wasn't there you would have to go through the whole legal process. On the other hand, if you answer yes to this question they will probably don't let you into the country... But I can't say for sure.

jstanley 4y ago
But you might legitimately not be planning to commit any crimes, but then change your mind once you get there. The fact that you committed a crime after saying you weren't planning to do so does not mean that you were lying.
- sealeck 4y ago
  Are you a lawyer? :D
  - ipaddr 4y ago
    Ask 5 lawyers and get 5 answers. Either way it doesn't matter unless that person is your lawyer. I would have ask if they were a judge. At least they are tasked with weighing the facts and deciding and not fighting for one point of view
    - TeMPOraL 4y ago
      > I would have ask if they were a judge. At least they are tasked with weighing the facts and deciding and not fighting for one point of view But then in the US it still wouldn't matter unless they are your judge.
- Spooky23 4y ago
  Cool. Hopefully you have $150k to hire the attorneys to argue that, and deal with the trainload of stuff that will come your way when they do.
- godelski 4y ago
  Or worse, what if you accidentally commit a crime? Not all crimes are obvious and something that can be normal in one country can be criminal in another. For example, jay walking (crossing the street not at an intersection (when an intersection is not reasonably near by)). Or something else silly like that.
LudwigNagasena 4y ago
Why would it be easier to deport someone for lying on a form rather than for being a terrorist?
- wongarsu 4y ago
  If they commit a crime there is the question of whether they should be imprisoned or deported. That likely involves a court case, something US prosecutors famously hate (just look at all the plea bargains). If you lie on your immigration form, you gained entry under false pretenses. Nothing complicated or grey about that.
- SkeuomorphicBee 4y ago
  Because you need proof, and proving that someone is a terrorist is a long expensive and not guarantied process, while the lying on a form thing is purposefully self evident.
  - Wowfunhappy 4y ago
    But if you haven't proven they are a terrorist, how can you prove they are lying about being a terrorist? They might not be a terrorist, in which case they weren't lying.
    - wholinator2 4y ago
      Well the form doesn't literally ask, "are you a terrorist? ". It's just a bunch of terroristic and criminal activities. So if you said no to "do you plan to commit any crimes" and then you rob a store or God forbid actually commit terrorism, which is a crime, you've lied on the form and can be expelled quickly
    - pokot0 4y ago
      Jaywalking is illegal. It doesn't have to be the same illegal thing they want you out for. They're just giving them more options.
      - 4y ago

jstanley 4y ago

But you might legitimately not be planning to commit any crimes, but then change your mind once you get there. The fact that you committed a crime after saying you weren't planning to do so does not mean that you were lying.

sealeck 4y ago
Are you a lawyer? :D
- ipaddr 4y ago
  Ask 5 lawyers and get 5 answers. Either way it doesn't matter unless that person is your lawyer. I would have ask if they were a judge. At least they are tasked with weighing the facts and deciding and not fighting for one point of view
  - TeMPOraL 4y ago
    > I would have ask if they were a judge. At least they are tasked with weighing the facts and deciding and not fighting for one point of view But then in the US it still wouldn't matter unless they are your judge.
Spooky23 4y ago
Cool. Hopefully you have $150k to hire the attorneys to argue that, and deal with the trainload of stuff that will come your way when they do.
godelski 4y ago
Or worse, what if you accidentally commit a crime? Not all crimes are obvious and something that can be normal in one country can be criminal in another. For example, jay walking (crossing the street not at an intersection (when an intersection is not reasonably near by)). Or something else silly like that.

LudwigNagasena 4y ago

Why would it be easier to deport someone for lying on a form rather than for being a terrorist?

wongarsu 4y ago
If they commit a crime there is the question of whether they should be imprisoned or deported. That likely involves a court case, something US prosecutors famously hate (just look at all the plea bargains). If you lie on your immigration form, you gained entry under false pretenses. Nothing complicated or grey about that.
SkeuomorphicBee 4y ago
Because you need proof, and proving that someone is a terrorist is a long expensive and not guarantied process, while the lying on a form thing is purposefully self evident.
- Wowfunhappy 4y ago
  But if you haven't proven they are a terrorist, how can you prove they are lying about being a terrorist? They might not be a terrorist, in which case they weren't lying.
  - wholinator2 4y ago
    Well the form doesn't literally ask, "are you a terrorist? ". It's just a bunch of terroristic and criminal activities. So if you said no to "do you plan to commit any crimes" and then you rob a store or God forbid actually commit terrorism, which is a crime, you've lied on the form and can be expelled quickly
  - pokot0 4y ago
    Jaywalking is illegal. It doesn't have to be the same illegal thing they want you out for. They're just giving them more options.
    - 4y ago