The most stupid question is when they ask you if you are a terrorist or plan a terrorist attack in America. Even if someone would be a terrorist, why would someone give an honest answer to this question.
Oh, this question is decades old and I believe 15 years ago it was still solved by an *asterisk:
"Answering yes in this question does not disqualify you from receiving a visa".
People entering US from other countries are treated like shit regardless if they have visas or their countries apply for visa-less process. Both of those suck, you are treated like a criminal from the very first meeting in consulate, they take your fingerprints and you still have a decent chance of being put back after arrival. Business visas are more pleasant but it was for so long just "pay for more predictable process" and still has a lot of flaws.
Iceland, and specifically some of our financial institutions, was placed on a terrorist list by the British PM Gordon Brown during the financial crisis in 2008. His thinking was to be able to freeze the funds these institutions held in Britain.
I know of many people who worked on the floor in those institutions during that time that have joked about what would happen if they would technically tell the truth on those ESTA questionnaires.
How can they not have proof you are lying about being a terrorist if they don't have proof you are a terrorist, thus lying? Are you sure it's not ridiculous?
A grandparent once accidentally checked yes for their baby and was irrevocably fucked. No way to correct the record ever, that kid is permanently listed as a terrorist.
In the article you referenced they state that the baby was cleared after a trip to the embassy. The costs were because they needed to reschedule flights. But the baby was cleared to enter.
I meant there's no way to clear the ESTA ineligible flag ticking that box set, which means this baby will need to have an in person interview every time they want to enter the US for the rest of their life.
