Latest news with #MelissaVincenty
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Secret boarding pass code 'no airline traveller wants to see'
Stringent immigration checks and cases of travellers being turned away at the border have left many Aussies second-guessing their need to travel to the United States in recent months. And one traveller heading to America was recently left with a sinking feeling when she received her boarding pass at Brisbane Airport with the code SSSS printed on it. The code, which stands for "secondary security screening selection", is the "four letters no traveller wants to see on their boarding pass" when travelling to the United States, according to United passenger Ruby. Sharing her experience, Ruby said the code is known as "every traveller's worst nightmare" to those who regularly visit the US because those who receive it are subjected to additional security screening before they are allowed to board. "I've travelled to over 30 countries so am aware of the stigma around it," she told Yahoo News. Ruby told Yahoo that upon checking into their flight at Brisbane airport ahead of a three-week holiday, her fiancé – who is a US citizen – had "no problem", but she was told she required additional checks. "When I got to the bag drop and my boarding pass was printed, I got the dreaded four S's," she explained. "They didn't check my paperwork or say anything, which was surprising." It wasn't until she arrived at the gate and was ready to board that she was "pulled aside" to a table for the additional screening. "After you've scanned your boarding pass, they said 'go over there' and they had me hand over my passport, which they reviewed. I put all of my stuff out on the table and they swabbed everything, including my bag, laptop, hands and stomach. I've never had that before," she explained. Ruby said that travellers can be flagged for "all sorts of reasons" with some saying it's "random". "It's kind of a lottery for seasoned travellers," she said. Luckily, Ruby was allowed to proceed with her journey but it wasn't the end of her security woes. At immigration in San Francisco, she said, "they were really grilling me". "You never know with the US," she warned. Despite that, she still urged Aussies to enjoy the country, adding that "it's still safe" and "if you have nothing to hide, you shouldn't be worried". "Go have fun, but be careful and stay safe," she said. 😳 Tourist 'traumatised' after being strip-searched at Sydney Airport 🛫 Warning as simple $50 mistake leaves Aussie tourist stuck at airport 🌻 Travelling mum highlights little-known feature at airports Prominent immigration lawyer Melissa Vincenty told Yahoo News she has been subject to the screening herself and has even seen children get flagged. "As soon as you see it you think 'oh man'," she laughed. But added the additional security checks are common and nothing to worry about. "This has been around since the 9/11 legislation when they made the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) under the Department of Homeland Security," she explained of the change made in 2003. While neither the TSA nor airlines publish the criteria used when boarding passes are issued, Vincenty believes that the selection process is random. "They are required by law to randomly select passengers," she explained of the security screening. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Yahoo
Travel warning for popular tourist country as Aussies 'targeted'
Certain Aussies travelling to the United States are being warned that they will be "targeted" by officials at the border amid a scary crackdown on foreign visitors. Prominent immigration lawyer Melissa Vincenty told Yahoo News Aussie backpackers will face higher scrutiny visiting the USA following an executive order by President Donald Trump, which directed federal agencies to implement enhanced vetting and screening for all foreign nationals entering the country. Swathes of travellers have considered cancelling their trips, following reports that Australian nationals and other foreign tourists are being detained and deported at the border. Last week, two German backpackers said they were strip-searched and thrown in prison when they arrived in Honolulu, in Hawaii, before being deported. "Young Australians have to be more careful," Vincenty told Yahoo News, believing that border authorities "have a feeling" that some Aussies may be "tempted to work" without proper authorisation. Aussies who intend on engaging in unpaid arrangements like housesitting, pet sitting or even au pairing are being especially urged to ensure they have the right authorisation to do so. She said that pet sitting and house sitting arrangements are "notorious" for resulting in refusals. Vincenty's advice for anyone thinking about entering into such an arrangement it is simply "don't do it". "The strict interpretation is that it's not permitted," she said. "If someone normally would be paid for that work, like pet sitting, babysitting, that is considered work. Even if it's in exchange for room and board or meals." Madolline Gourley, from Brisbane, was one such Aussie refused entry to the country after it was suspected she was going to engage in "work". The prolific cat sitter told Yahoo she had visited the US up to nine times over five years to look after people's pets in exchange for accommodation. However all that changed in 2022, when she was turned away at the border while she was transiting through the US on her way to a pet sitting posting in Canada. She did not have a work visa to carry out the unpaid arrangement because she "didn't know" she needed it, opting only for an ESTA – an electronic visa waiver program – to transit through America. "It was a bit scary," she told Yahoo of the ordeal, which saw her held for three hours by immigration. Unaware that an unpaid pet sitting arrangement could be constituted as work in the US, Madolline was sure that immigration officials would "eventually come around". "I wasn't getting paid, so it couldn't possibly be work," she said. But they never did. Her ESTA was cancelled and she was sent back to Australia. "I was refused entry to the USA because I didn't have a work visa." She believes that businesses that connect pet sitters and house sitters don't always make visa requirements clear enough for those who sign up. "Had I known it was considered work before I started doing it, I would have given it a lot more thought," she said. The ordeal has had far-reaching ramifications for any travel she does across the world. Madolline can never use the ESTA program again, can't transit through the United States, and to ever return to the country she would need to apply for a visitor's visa. What's more, when visiting other countries she has to declare she has been turned away at a border. "My main gripe is I can't even transit through the US because you need an ESTA," she explained. "It's an anxiety when I go to new countries." She recently visited New Zealand where she had to declare that she was refused entry to another country on immigration papers. Thankfully, she was able to get a work visa to Canada in subsequent years. Madolline advises travellers to "be honest" with immigration officials. "If I lied and they found out, that would have ended up [worse]," she believes. Vincenty said like in Madolline's case, these incidents were taking place before Trump's executive order and believes it's a good thing that travellers can be aware and know what to expect. She believes the situation should be "monitored for this year" — but doesn't know how long for certain the "heightened" searches will take place. She added that digital searches — where officers search travellers' devices — appear to be on the rise. "That is something that is much more frequent now," she said. "They're using profiling to target certain people and young Australians will be more targeted." She suggested those with sensitive data on their devices should "be careful". She said travellers can delete apps on their phones prior or swapping out sims. She warns that it has to be done prior to travel and once you arrive, if authorities choose to check your phone, you "can't refuse". "You can't say no, or you won't be able to enter the US," she said. "People should monitor the situation and if there is any doubt, they should get professional advice because everyone's situation is different," she said. "I just think if you're already a high anxiety person put your trip off, don't put it off for years, but it's a heightened environment and be aware of that," she said. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
