The message it sends to me is, never visit America. I appreciate horrible things likely happen in my own country, but this is just disgusting.
The risk of travelling there is simply too high now.
Yes, I know (as stated above). By no means am I saying it couldn't. Still, it doesn't excuse Americas practices in any way.
Message? So you read one story and a bunch of HN comments and that is how you decide?
I'd be surprised if anyone who regularly travels to the US hasn't found it to be extremely unpleasant at times. A while back I spent 6 months or so going back and forth from the UK to Houston or Atlanta, and every time I absolutely hated going through immigration. I've travelled to dozens of countries, and literally everywhere I've found the border guards to be friendly - except the US. Every time they behaved like power-hungry bullies, or I saw them behaving that way towards others. One time I travelled with a female colleague who was basically harassed by ridiculous questions from a very angry and loud border guard for no reason at all. He wasn't satisfied until she was in tears.
Another time there was a really long queue after getting off a flight (think it took over an hour to get to the desk), and there was a pregnant woman in the queue who seemed unwell and wanted to sit down - a guard shouted at her to stay in line, refused to get her a chair, and refused to let her jump forward in the queue (despite prompting from willing fellow passengers).
So the reason people don't want to travel to the US? Because it's a fucking horrible experience.
We have ZERO data on the probability of this happening to someone. What we do know is that when it happens to certain people and they have some kind of notoriety or the ability to get noticed we hear about it. That means there is a non rational reaction from people which makes it seem like any one person stands a large chance of having the same experience. Obviously they have not the time or resources to doing this on any widespread basis. Hence it's a small risk. Ditto for that matter to letting them see what is on your phone. Don't want to sound like the 'if you have nothing to hide' guy (Eric Schmidt) but honestly is it such a big deal? [1]
[1] By that token I have no clue why people would allow complete and total strangers access to where they live (or drive them) which to me seems like a much greater risk. (Not saying the OP did this).
When I mentioned other stories and comments, I wasn't only referring to those by people with "notoriety or the ability to get noticed" - indeed, I was mainly referring to randoms (such as myself, and BTW I have no notoriety and am an introvert).
Some of the facts presented don't even make sense. You don't take the fifth when refusing a search. You're relying on the fourth amendment and refusing to consent to a search. Searches like this having nothing to do with self incrimination.
Similarly in the game development community, lots of people complain about customs but then go to GDC every year.
I guess my point is that as long as America continues being a pillar of the world, people (like myself!) will continue putting their principles aside and comply, and the system will have no reason to change.
I hope you'll last longer than I did. :)
Edit for clarifications.
Border policy won't change by 2021 either, at least not for the better.
Its about as likely as bitcoin taking over the world economy, but hey we all have to cling to false hope sometimes.
I think you'll have to wait awhile. These policy tools have been under both parties starting with GWB far as the initial PATRIOT Act (I think?). Right now, we're at a point where the USA might, but unlikely, go back to an isolationist policy far as borders.
At a meta level, this is a debate around internationalism vs globalism. Currently, Earth is in an era of internationalism. There is a desire by lots of people to move towards Globalism.
In which regard? Compared to which place?
Please let's not kid ourselves, the US rocks!