Be careful on Twitter if you’re going to the USA
31st January 2012
Two British friends have been refused entry to the USA after tweeting they were going to “destroy America”
Insisting that his tweet referred to simply having a good time, Leigh Van Bryan’s message was picked up by the US Department for Homeland Security. When he and his friend arrived in the USA, they were apprehended on arrival at Los Angeles airport, questioned and then sent home.
The US Customs and Border Protection agency said in a statement that, “We strive to achieve that balance and show the world that the United States is a welcoming nation.”
ABTA have said that people need to be very, very cautious when it comes to talking about future trips to the USA, especially since 9/11.
Leigh Van Bryan is not the first to fall foul of security; Paul Chambers was fined in January 2010 for tweeting that he would blow up Robin Hood Airport, in the UK, if it was not reopened in time to see his girlfriend. It was closed at the time due to snow.
In addition, there are numerous tales of people “joking” with airport security personnel that they had bombs in their bags. These have led to a lengthy interview and ended with missed flights.
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