Grandparents visiting USA, beware!

[sudeshwer]

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we started going to US since 2002 almost six months a year to avoid Delhi summer. ulimately we became US citizens. we used to walk hrs together and never had any such experience. of course we both speak english. in fact, I used to discuss with Police officers on street on many issues. of course I am in California and that old man is Alabama which is worst in racism. There is no doubt in US, racism is there. in fact, here in Australia also there is racism. what happened to that old Indian in Alabama is unacceptable. y see white US Policeman is so feared in front of a blackman, he thinks of only shooting him. we must admit in India also there is racism but we Indians dont go to the extent of shooting and thrashing. - srinivasan

 

[P.J.]

Yes Mr. P. J! :yo:
Reservation Policy is closer to caste discrimination than to racial discrimination. I stand corrected. But discrimination in any form is still discrimination whether
lingual/ regional / religious/ cast / racial.

Your view about reservation based on caste is disputable madam;
The principle of equality sometimes requires States parties to take affirmative action:


Canada has Employment equity (Canada) which affects aboriginals and minorities

China reserves positions for ethnic minorities and women

Finland has quotas for Swedish speakers

Germany has quotas in their Gymnasium system

Israel has affirmative action

Japan has policies to help the Burakumin, who are considered the outcaste group of Japan.

Macedonia has quotas for Albanians


Malaysia has the Malaysian New Economic Policy

New Zealand has affirmative action for Maoris and Polynesians

Norway requires 40% of the PCLs boards to be women.

Romania has quotas for Romas

South Africa has Employment Equity

South Korea has affirmative action for Chinese and North Koreans

Sri Lanka has rules for Christians and Tamils

Sweden has general affirmative action



In India it appears to be one of the government agenda! your quote.

Still , you have not elaborated about your comment "Government Agenda ?"

Do you mean to say Government is behind violence,accusations like this in a public forum like this, one need to prove it with facts and figures.




Which Countries, Other Than India, Have Caste-based Reservation Systems? - Quora

 

[P.J.]

The insurance compnay coughs up the money (if at all)
after dilly dallying and delaying as much as possible.
The insured person gets gets 50% to 66% of the compensation money
while the lawyer pockets neatly 50% to 34% for making the
insurance company cough up the money! :juggle:

There are some American insurance Travel/ Health insurance companies which do not dilly dallying while claims are properly made





We always buy our travel Insurance from them and our claims with proper supporting papers have always been paid without dilly dallying

We were buying our health insurance from them, when we were using Green Card and staying over there in US; all our claims with proper supporting documents were paid promptly.


Visitor Medical Insurance. Visitors Insurance for USA visitors. Visitor Health Insurance for relatives visiting USA

 

[Raji Ram]

1. The insurance company coughs up the money (if at all)
after dilly dallying and delaying as much as possible.

2. The insured person gets gets 50% to 66% of the compensation money
while the lawyer pockets neatly 50% to 34% for making the insurance company cough up the money! :juggle:

Answers:

1. Insurance is delayed for more than one year. The officials help us to get it.

2. :nono: . No lawyer argues for the payment form the normal insurance company.
They take their 'one-third cut', when they argue and get the payment from an insurance company, for an accident. opcorn:

 

[sainath1951]

Nice try. No sensible Indian in U.S will want to return to India. They go to U.S in search of "GREENS". There are nearly 450000 Indians nearly 4% of total illegal immigrant population in the U.S. Many are from Gujarat, Punjab. Those who go for higher studies to U.S do not finish their courses till they get jobs. All illegal immigrants in U.S must be deported back to their countries. Even during recession there was more influx of students from India to U.S.

 

[Naina_Marbus]

Another instance of brutal uncivil behavior by a State police officer who resigns after tackling a professor to the ground
www.washingtonpost.com/news/grade-point/wp/2015/02/17/arizona-state-police-officer-resigns-after-tackling-a-professor-to-the-ground-for-jaywalking

 

[Raji Ram]

See the plight of the lady when she argues with a police officer!

Beware! U S of A is a Land of LAW.

 

[vasudevans]

Even in India if you go deep inside Hindi belt area you are teased if you do not know Hindi or Marathi.
Atleast you should speak english to decent persons. Otherwise you may face the above music even in your
own country. Moreover you cannot peep into or touch others properties,trees or pluck flowers.
But i have also seen that in most of the houses/apartment complex there is no door or brick compound walls.
In Malls/shoping complex the parking area is very big, well laid tar roads with marking for parking, arrow marks
etc and sometimes we will be confused whether we are inside the Mall or on the common road.

 

[Naina_Marbus]

Laws!

Funny, Weird Laws Still on the Books in USA!

We have to obey them. Federal, state, and municipal. ...there are some silly or crazy laws still on the books today in every state that one should be very glad are not being enforced today. Here are some examples.

Alabama
1. You may not wrestle a bear.
2. It is illegal to have an ice cream cone in your back pocket.
3. It is illegal to spit orange peels onto sidewalks.
Alaska
1. It is illegal to look at a moose from an airplane.
2. It is illegal to push a moose out of a moving airplane.
3. No one can possess a bow and arrow within the city limits.
4. A person may not take their pet into a barber shop.
Arizona
1. Donkeys may not sleep in bathtubs.
2. Hunting camels is prohibited.
3. No more than six girls may live in any house.
Arkansas
1. No one may suddenly start or stop their car at McDonalds.
2. Arkansas must be pronounced "Arkansaw".
California
1. Anyone wishing to keep a rhinoceros as a pet must obtain a $100 license first.
2. Growing oleander plants is illegal.
3. Driving a herd of cattle down the street is illegal.
Florida
1. Destin, Florida law says that a cat that viciously chases people is a "bad cat".
2. Fiddlers and stay at home dads are considered vagrants.
3. If an elephant is tied to a parking meter, the parking fee must be paid just as it would be for a car.

Laws From Other States
1. A person is allowed only 5 minutes to fill out a voting ballot. (Alabama)
2. In Atlanta, Georga, you can not let your pubic hair grow past 6 inches.
3. In Idaho, it is illegal to ride a motorcycle if you are a 90 year old man.
4. In Shakopee, Minnesota, it is illegal to bulldoze a house when 5 or more cats occupy the ventilation system.
5. In Ohio, it is illegal to fish for whales on Sunday.
6. In Oklahoma, it is illegal to take a bite out of a person's hamburger without their permission first.
7. In Tennessee, it is illegal to import, possess, cause to be imported, or sell a skunk.

 

[Naina_Marbus]

....Beware! U S of A is a Land of LAW.

And a land of mass incarceration?

U.S. prison population dwarfs that of other nations

According to ACLU https://www.aclu.org/safe-communities-fair-sentences/prison-crisis

• With only 5% of the world’s population, the U.S. has 25% of the world’s prison population – that makes usa the world’s largest jailer.
• Since 1970, prison population has risen 700%.
• One in 99 adults are living behind bars in the U.S. This marks the highest rate of imprisonment in American history.

 

[Naina_Marbus]

See the plight of the lady when she argues with a police officer!...

Her only fault was she was self-respecting black.

 

[prasad1]

The Governor of the US state of Alabama has apologized for the "unfortunate" use of excessive force by police against an Indian grandfather early this month that left him partially paralysed.

Governor Robert Bentley also ordered the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency to launch a parallel investigation the Federal Bureau of Investigation has already started its own probe into the use of "excessive force" against Sureshbhai Patel, 57 on February 6.


"Please accept our sincere apology for this tragic incident to your government, Patel, and the citizens of India who reside and work in our state," Bentley said in a letter written to the to India's general consul in Atlanta, Ajit Kumar.



"I deeply regret the unfortunate use of excessive force by the Madison Police Department on Sureshbhai Patel and for the injuries sustained by Mr Patel," he said.

"I sincerely hope that Mr Patel continues to improve and that he will regain full use of his legs," he said in the latter written yesterday.
Meanwhile, Patel has been transferred from Huntsville hospital to a rehabilitation centre following improvement in his condition, his attorney said.
Patel, who was partly paralysed after an unprovoked assault by local police in the Madison city of Alabama is still unable to walk, attorney Henry F Sherrod told over phone.
Sherrod who has sued the Madison City and two police officers on behalf of Patel for unprovoked assault said this is not a racial attack.
"No I would definitely not use that phrase. That is inflammatory and unhelpful in discussing this case," he said when asked if he considers police assault on Patel as a racial attack.
"This case is about police abuse of power and police accountability," said Sherrod.
Responding to questions, Sherrod said the case of Patel is strong and on right track.
An online fund raising campaign has collected USD 187,000 for Patel's medical expenses. More than 4,300 people have contributed to it.

Alabama governor apologizes for assault against Indian - The Times of India

 

[vgane]

Does bias in US wear a badge..Read this!

Prejudice towards minorities

The episode begs two questions. First, how often are Indians thus victimised by local law enforcement agencies in the U.S.? Second, “Excessive compared to what?”
The short answer to the first question is: not as frequently as other minorities such as African-Americans but often enough to suggest a similar prejudice.
The most recent, notable case of an Indian national left to the mercies of American law enforcement rule books was Devyani Khobragade, whose diplomatic credentials could not save her from an invasive strip search by the U.S. Marshals.
The former Deputy Consul General was not even the highest-ranking diplomatic officer to be handled in a manner that could be considered beyond the realm of normal protocol.
In December 2010 former Indian Ambassador to the U.S., Meera Shankar, was pulled out of a passenger security line and subjected to an intimate pat-down at Jackson-Evers International Airport in Mississippi, an incident that once again fomented anger in New Delhi.
In February 2011 Krittika Biswas, daughter of the Indian Vice-Consul in New York, was handcuffed publicly in her school, wrongfully arrested and detained with criminals overnight on allegations that she had sent obscene e-mails to a teacher, which were ultimately proven false.
In 2010, Vijay Kumar, an Indian filmmaker, was jailed for 20 days after he was arrested in Houston International Airport for carrying “Jihadi literature” in his baggage even though, ironically, the material was intended for a lecture he was set to deliver to the Hindu Congress of America on an interfaith discussion between Hindus and Muslims.

These and numerous other instances of law enforcement excesses against persons of South Asian origin, which have occurred since 9/11, arguably reflect deep prejudices linking the community to terrorists, to outsourcers who steal American jobs, or just plain outsiders to white Anglo-Saxon culture, the “purest” form of racial bias based on skin colour.

In America, bias wears a badge - The Hindu

 

[prasad1]

The most recent, notable case of an Indian national left to the mercies of American law enforcement rule books was Devyani Khobragade, whose diplomatic credentials could not save her from an invasive strip search by the U.S. Marshals.
The former Deputy Consul General was not even the highest-ranking diplomatic officer to be handled in a manner that could be considered beyond the realm of normal protocol.

In America, bias wears a badge - The Hindu

I agree there is racial bias in USA.

A diplomatic passport does not necessarily give one diplomatic immunity, pointed out New York-based attorney Anand Ahuja, while commenting on the arrest -- and subsequent release -- of Devyani Khobragade, India’s deputy consul general in New York on Thursday. Article 17 of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of 1963 specifically states, Ahuja pointed out, that non diplomatic acts by consulate officers do not confer any diplomatic privileges and immunities.
“The best example is of (former International Monetary Fund chief Dominique) Strauss-Kahn – (he was) handcuffed, taken out of his airplane, and put into the jail even though he claimed his diplomatic immunity,” Anand said.
Other legal sources agreed that diplomatic immunity was unlikely to be granted to Khobragade.

Another New York attorney Ravi Batra, who has handled such cases before, argued for framing of a new law for such cases.

I have written about bias in USA in my earlier posts.

These are PIO attorneys. I do not support breaking any law.

I too riled against NY officials including Ravi Batra for the way Khobragade was treated in NY at that time. I am not a lawyer and do not know the intricacies of the law enforcement.

 

[P.J.]

Wife of racial attack victim scared to go to US

Wife of racial attack victim scared to go to US

AHMEDABAD: Shakuntala — wife of 57-year-old Suresh Patel who was hospitalized with partial paralysis after a racial attack by policemen in Madison City, Alabama — says she is feeling helpless in Kheda even as her husband battles for life in the US. Suresh Patel was accosted and thrown to ground by the Madison City police after someone reported a suspicious character in the neighborhood.

Shakuntala is a resident of Pij village in Kheda where almost every house has a son or daughter in the US. She was supposed to accompany Suresh on this trip but could not go as she was found to be medically unfit. She is supposed to leave after a month-and-half but is already feeling the jitters.

"If this is what awaits people like us, I am scared to go there. When did going out for an innocuous morning walk become a crime that people have started reporting this to the police? I have been able to speak to my son only once after the incident. I hope and pray that my husband's condition stabilises," said Shakuntala.

Her relatives say Suresh Patel had studied only till class 4 and, hence, was not fluent in English. Shakuntala is SSC pass. This is the second tragedy for Shakuntala who lost her younger son to illness.

The couple, who own one bigha land in the village, apparently had worked hard to be able to send their son Chirag to the US for higher studies. He had done his diploma engineering in Gujarat. Chirag later married a US citizen settled in Albama. They have a 17-month-old son.

Suresh's nephew, Dakshesh Patel, said her aunt has been crying ever since she learnt of the attack on Suresh.

"Shakuntala aunty has been crying ever since the news broke on February 6. We have brought her with us to share her pain but the incident has left an adverse impression on the minds of all elderly people who look forward to going to the US to be able to spend some time with their children settled there. These elderly people are simple villagers who mean no harm. In fact, they are scared to go to US as they cannot speak English," said Dakshesh.


Wife of racial attack victim scared to go to US - The Times of India

 

[prasad1]

Eric Parker, the former Alabama police officer who violently threw Sureshbhai Patel (57), an Indian man visiting his family in the U.S., face-first to the ground during a routine stop-and-frisk has been charged with violating his civil rights according to authorities.
On Friday, a federal grand jury indicted Parker for using unreasonable force that left Mr. Patel hospitalised with severe spinal injuries, an incident that was captured in graphic detail on police “dash-cams.
While Parker will plead not guilty, according to his attorney Robert Tuten, U.S. Attorney Joyce Vance said in a statement that public “must be able to trust the police,” adding "Law enforcement officers who violate their oath to protect and use excessive force must be brought to justice.”
According to the indictment, Parker's actions deprived Mr. Patel of his right under the U.S. Constitution to be secure from unreasonable searches and seizures, which includes the “right to be free from unreasonable force by someone acting under colour of law,” the Department of Justice noted.

Alabama cop indicted for attack on Indian man - The Hindu

 

[a-TB]

Eric Parker, the former Alabama police officer who violently threw Sureshbhai Patel (57), an Indian man visiting his family in the U.S., face-first to the ground during a routine stop-and-frisk has been charged with violating his civil rights according to authorities.
On Friday, a federal grand jury indicted Parker for using unreasonable force that left Mr. Patel hospitalised with severe spinal injuries, an incident that was captured in graphic detail on police “dash-cams.
While Parker will plead not guilty, according to his attorney Robert Tuten, U.S. Attorney Joyce Vance said in a statement that public “must be able to trust the police,” adding "Law enforcement officers who violate their oath to protect and use excessive force must be brought to justice.”
According to the indictment, Parker's actions deprived Mr. Patel of his right under the U.S. Constitution to be secure from unreasonable searches and seizures, which includes the “right to be free from unreasonable force by someone acting under colour of law,” the Department of Justice noted.

Alabama cop indicted for attack on Indian man - The Hindu

While police brutality and institutional racism and other such problems cannot be eliminated, it is gratifying to know that the conviction has been quick. The outpouring of support from ordinary citizens to this affected family is noteworthy as well. Let us hope that the elderly gentleman recovers fully soon.

 

[cmano1981]

Those southern states are more rough and backward.. Family that brought him must have instructed the rules or how to act there or anticipate. Why did he go alone? Irundavan kannukku verundathellaam pei is the situation in many places across the world now. One gentleman who avoided USA can go and check New Jersey where it is nothing other than Indian colony.

 

[tbs]

Those southern states are more rough and backward.. Family that brought him must have instructed the rules or how to act there or anticipate. Why did he go alone? Irundavan kannukku verundathellaam pei is the situation in many places across the world now. One gentleman who avoided USA can go and check New Jersey where it is nothing other than Indian colony.

hi

in new jersey....gujarati language is must......ONLY GUJARATI LANGUAGE WE CAN SURVIVE IN NEW JESRSEY.....ESPECIALY

OAK TREE MALL AREA/EDISON AREA....EVEN NO NEED OF ENGLISH.....

 

[B.Krishnamurthy]

I had to face the wrath of immigration officer when I returned from India To USA in the last week of October,2014.
I wanted to stay in India for six months.I left USA for India on 24th April,2014.Since Diwali festival was on 22/23 october,2014,
I booked my return ticket for Journey on 26th October.Technically I was in India for over 6 months by a few days.
As per USA immigration rules,if a Green Card holder stays outside USA for more than six months,the entire period will be excluded
while reckoning the 5 year stay in USA which is necessary to apply for USA Citizenship.I have already completed my stay for more than 5 years.
The behaviour of the immigration officer was rude(definitely not polite).He wrote something on my 'Customs clearance document'.
When I wanted to out to plck up my booked luggages,I was not allowed but directed to go to a room near immigration counters.
As soon as I entered the room,I was asked to deposit my Passport at the counter.Since this was my first experience,I was worried.
Already some persons were there and people were coming inside from different flights..I had no mobile with me to get in touch with my
Son who is waiting outside.There were no restrictions for using mobile phones.I did not like the idea of talking with others.
After three hours,my turn came.A Black Afro- American called me and took me to the immigration counter,opened his computer and remarked that I have been out of USA for more than six months.He said that being a green card holder,I am supposed to reside in USA
and also commented that they will levy fees in future if I overstay.
In my opinion, there was no need to detain me for over three hours.The immigration officer to whom I reported could have told me this.
This is nothing but high handedness by the immigration officers.
Once you are detained they will ask you to place all your luggage in X- Ray machine.Fortunately,there was nothing objectionable and I was allowed to go out.For some passengers,they open all the boxes and inconvenience them.
People desirous of immigrating to other countries have to undergo unforeseen ordeal.
I have never felt any difficulty when I go to Library or walk.Americans (except People from China,Vietnam,Korea) greet you when they meet you on the road.
B.Krishnamurthy

 

[a-TB]

I had to face the wrath of immigration officer when I returned from India To USA in the last week of October,2014.
I wanted to stay in India for six months.I left USA for India on 24th April,2014.Since Diwali festival was on 22/23 october,2014,
I booked my return ticket for Journey on 26th October.Technically I was in India for over 6 months by a few days.
As per USA immigration rules,if a Green Card holder stays outside USA for more than six months,the entire period will be excluded
while reckoning the 5 year stay in USA which is necessary to apply for USA Citizenship.I have already completed my stay for more than 5 years.
The behaviour of the immigration officer was rude(definitely not polite).He wrote something on my 'Customs clearance document'.
When I wanted to out to plck up my booked luggages,I was not allowed but directed to go to a room near immigration counters.
As soon as I entered the room,I was asked to deposit my Passport at the counter.Since this was my first experience,I was worried.
Already some persons were there and people were coming inside from different flights..I had no mobile with me to get in touch with my
Son who is waiting outside.There were no restrictions for using mobile phones.I did not like the idea of talking with others.
After three hours,my turn came.A Black Afro- American called me and took me to the immigration counter,opened his computer and remarked that I have been out of USA for more than six months.He said that being a green card holder,I am supposed to reside in USA
and also commented that they will levy fees in future if I overstay.
In my opinion, there was no need to detain me for over three hours.The immigration officer to whom I reported could have told me this.
This is nothing but high handedness by the immigration officers.
Once you are detained they will ask you to place all your luggage in X- Ray machine.Fortunately,there was nothing objectionable and I was allowed to go out.For some passengers,they open all the boxes and inconvenience them.
People desirous of immigrating to other countries have to undergo unforeseen ordeal.
I have never felt any difficulty when I go to Library or walk.Americans (except People from China,Vietnam,Korea) greet you when they meet you on the road.
B.Krishnamurthy

Visa related overstays triggers Homeland security checks automatically - it means much more work/checks for the 'tired' immigration officer. His rudeness has to do with need to go through the checks before being told that you will be charged fine next time (for this kind of uncompensated waste of time). They have to assume something is wrong until the checking clears you. In general it is wise to follow the rules to avoid such bad experience.

 

[prasad1]

Visa related overstays triggers Homeland security checks automatically - it means much more work/checks for the 'tired' immigration officer. His rudeness has to do with need to go through the checks before being told that you will be charged fine next time (for this kind of uncompensated waste of time). They have to assume something is wrong until the checking clears you. In general it is wise to follow the rules to avoid such bad experience.

You are right, but for the tired and old people it is burden. The visa official could show some courtesy.
I agree with your suggestion of following rules.
If you overstay your 6-month limit without informing the embassy, they can confiscate your green card, they can also deport you, they can arrest you till you are deported, the results can be very bad. He was lucky that he only had minor discomfort.

 

[tbs]

Visa related overstays triggers Homeland security checks automatically - it means much more work/checks for the 'tired' immigration officer. His rudeness has to do with need to go through the checks before being told that you will be charged fine next time (for this kind of uncompensated waste of time). They have to assume something is wrong until the checking clears you. In general it is wise to follow the rules to avoid such bad experience.

hi

nice words......just follow the rules of the land.......even a day more than 180 is wrong......

 

[Naina_Marbus]

The following website clearly spells out what is involved if Green Card Holders Stay Abroad Over 6 Months

Risk of Abandoning Green Card by Staying Abroad Over 6 Months