Shahram, It's kind of a random thing. Based on criteria that the people at Customs and Border Protection won't disclose, some people are put on the NSEERS list, requiring fingerprinting/photographing each time they exit and enter the US. I have a Canadian passport, but go to school in the US. Because I meet the criteria (whatever they are,) I go through this harrasment each time. Other similarly-situated friends of mine don't have to go through this procedure at all. A lot of it is based on the Patriot Act and there is almost no point in pressing the Canadian government about it, because it is not their regulation. Sorry to hear about your flight troubles, Hossein. I've had the same experience once, flying through a small airport and realizing that I can't exit because I can't do the proper procedure. (It's so frustrating -- If they're going to require that we go through certain procedures for entering and exiting, the least they can do is provide us with the means to adhere to their regulations.)
- By: kaveh on May 10, 2005

Sorry to hear you missed your flight.
- By: Wren on May 8, 2005

Great to meet you today. Cheers!
- By: Andy on May 7, 2005

Hosein jaan, I am so puzzled by this incident. As you know I have travelled to the US numerous times and I have never been finger-printed or photographed, while I too am an Iranian-born carrying a Canadian Passport. I think you (and/or all of us Iranian-Canadians) have to seriously press the issue with the Canadian and US officials. But do not be too disappointed, and let me remind you that a few years ago, the present minister of defence of Israel, Mr. Mofaz, who was born in Iran, was not allowed in the States because of his place of birth.
- By: Shahram on May 7, 2005