3 ms·

As a dual-citizen I still find it mind-boggling that a US border guard asks me questions about my private life. It still isn't clear to me what can happen if I

by jwr 13y ago

As a dual-citizen I still find it mind-boggling that a US border guard asks me questions about my private life. It still isn't clear to me what can happen if I answer "wrong" (e.g. the answers do not meet his expectations). For comparison, in many (if not most) countries (I don't want to name my specific case because this could derail the discussino) a border guard presented with a passport issued by his own country has exactly two options: 1) arrest the person on the spot (arrest meaning what it should, e.g. call the police and follow the law) or 2) let the person in. There are no questions, because the border guard has zero discretion in letting the person in. In general, a citizen of any country should always be able to enter that country, no questions asked (with the possibility of being arrested right afterwards, of course). I find it both strange and disturbing that this gray area seems to be universally accepted and that outrage (like in the article above) is rare.

twoodfin 13y ago
This is a type of "behavioral profiling". They take you on a random walk down a conversation tree, and unless you're a very good liar, it will be difficult for you to answer the questions without delays, inconsistencies or other signs of prevarication. It's a common claim around here that airport security is mostly theater and that El Al does it right. But El Al uses behavioral profiling, and as you point out, that can seem as intrusive as any scan.
- theycallmemorty 13y ago
  > it will be difficult for you to answer the questions without delays, inconsistencies or other signs of prevarication. What if I'm a little absent minded and I already have a hard time answering without delays and inconsistencies?
  - twoodfin 13y ago
    Are you arguing that behavioral profiling is useless or that it's not perfect? The classification technique goes beyond just watching how fast you answer: It's a skill that takes training and practice, but can be extremely effective, which is why the Israelis and U.S. ICE use it.

by jwr 13y ago

twoodfin 13y ago

This is a type of "behavioral profiling". They take you on a random walk down a conversation tree, and unless you're a very good liar, it will be difficult for you to answer the questions without delays, inconsistencies or other signs of prevarication. It's a common claim around here that airport security is mostly theater and that El Al does it right. But El Al uses behavioral profiling, and as you point out, that can seem as intrusive as any scan.

theycallmemorty 13y ago
> it will be difficult for you to answer the questions without delays, inconsistencies or other signs of prevarication. What if I'm a little absent minded and I already have a hard time answering without delays and inconsistencies?
- twoodfin 13y ago
  Are you arguing that behavioral profiling is useless or that it's not perfect? The classification technique goes beyond just watching how fast you answer: It's a skill that takes training and practice, but can be extremely effective, which is why the Israelis and U.S. ICE use it.