An anti mainstream media Twitter handle shared the above image claiming that from now on Indians will not be checked or screened at 53 airports in the United States. The info-graphic, which uses a picture of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump, from the former’s visit to the US recently, also claims that local media did not highlight this news.
Given that the entire H1-B visa issue is a sore point between the two countries, it is quite astonishing that such a supposed relaxation of entry norms towards Indian travellers headed for the US, would have gone unnoticed by the press.
Visas and immigration has always been a sensitive issues between India and the United States. In the past former president late APJ Abdul Kalam and actor Shah Rukh Khan’s run-ins with US immigration officials have made it to the news and caused embarrassment to both countries.
So what’s really going on?
On 3 July, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced the expansion of its ‘Global Entry’ programme to Indian citizens which allows for speedy clearance of pre-approved, “low-risk” travellers.
The facility is available at 53 US airports and 15 pre-clearance locations, CBP said on its website.
Steps detailing how to apply for the programme are available on CBP’s website.
However, once enrolled a traveller can still be selected for further examination when entering the United States. Any violation of the terms and conditions of the programme can lead to revocation of the traveller’s membership privileges.
US citizens, US nationals and US Lawful Permanent Residents are also eligible to apply for the programme.
Indian Ambassador to the US, Navtej Sarna, became the first Indian national to enroll in the program, local press reported.
The Global Entry programme found mention in a 26 June press statement by the White House during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the country. (Click here to view the statement)
Unlike what the infographic claimed, the news was reported by several mainstream news outlets.
(This article was originally published on BOOM and has been republished with permission.)
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