Border guards never make laws, so their motivation is meaningless — they enforce laws whether they like them or not or agree or not, because they’re paid to. Lawmakers make laws.
1 Like
Yes, I am well aware. If I somehow implied that they made the laws, I apologize; I think most people understand that border guards are the enforcers and not the initiators of the legal framework. But I’ve often wondered how the enforcers of laws can live with themselves if they are enforcing meaningless or even apparently cruel laws - and his discussion helped me see a perspective I had never considered. It gave me some compassion and helped me see that they know things I don’t, and see things I don’t. And helped me be more curious rather than judgmental about the whole border crossing issue.
1 Like
In general, most of us do things that we wouldn’t if we didn’t need to earn a living — it’s just a matter of degrees and how much of your work is what you enjoy or believe in vs. what you don’t. I think recognizing that is part of understanding the human condition universally.
And if it makes border guards feel better about their jobs to “save” people from pet sitting, that seems like a stretch, but humans rationalize all the time for what they do or not, and that goes well beyond work.
3 Likes
Updated, as more comments were added.
People who take jobs that involve enforcing rules, may often have feelings about the rules and the meaninglessness of their work. Maybe they rationalize, maybe they don’t think about it. Maybe they get burnt out and find other work if it is available to them and they can afford to make a switch. Agree with @Maggie8K that people might look for rationales to make them feel better.
The rules are the rules. Trying to appeal to the enforcer’s reason or sense of fairness is a waste of time and probably above their paygrade. It’s like THS’s useless “in our opinion” letter. If you are going to risk the border crossing as a sitter, trying to explain that your case is “different” because you aren’t being trafficked, and you aren’t taking anyone’s job, would not be an effective strategy.
2 Likes
Here is a very interesting & disturbing article from ABC News for Australians considering travelling to the USA
5 Likes
This raises an important point about sitter reviews and their public visibility, especially given that ESTA applicants’ social media accounts are apparently being searched.
Out of curiosity, I looked at profiles of two Australian sitters with many reviews. Both had reviews for THS sits completed in the U.S., with dates and locations visible.
If a non-U.S. citizen entered the U.S. on a tourist visa and took on a sit, that could raise legal concerns. Immigration officers can easily compare entry dates with the THS review dates, and any inconsistency could impact future applications for visas or other benefits.
In short, having a U.S.-based sit review publicly visible might create complications for some sitters down the line.
4 Likes
Here is another about what it is like to enter the US now:
'Did a JD Vance meme get a tourist banned from the US?
Hello Everyone,
I would absolutely love to apply for pet sits in the US and Canada. However, I have heard horrible stories that especially in the US people get detained and deported upon arrival if they do not have their entire trip pre booked and that pet sitting is strictly considered work.
Has anyone with a non US passport successfully entered the US and/or Canada for a pet sit through Trusted Housesitters?
I have a very strong passport, so that’s less of a problem, but I am really afraid that it’s not possible. I’d love to explore these beautiful places whilst pet sitting, but is it possible?
Any first hand experiences will be appreciated 
1 Like
I don’t have first hand experience of it but there are certainly lots and lots of sitters who have successfully entered both the US and Canada to do house sitting.
However that does not mean that it is legal to do so, strictly speaking, a work visa is required.
1 Like
Basically it’s got much worse since January, as you can see there are hundreds of comments. I won’t be travelling there any time soon, Canada is also strict on the visa requirements due to issues with their border with the USA . It isn’t legal in a lot of countries but that has never really been a problem before.
1 Like
I am in the US right now, pet sitting. I arrived two months ago on ESTA and had no problems at all entering. Nonetheless, it was pretty stressful, especially prior to my trip. It took much longer than it used to, I saw a good number of young(ish) Europeans, as well as many Latinos, asked for a secondary inspection.
1 Like
Thank you so much. That’s good to hear. When you mean it was stressful prior to your trip, can you give me an insight of what happened there? Was it the ESTA application that made it so stressful? Did they ask for any documents upon arrival? I am really stressed. My passport is full of stamps from all over the world, because I am a Digital Nomad. So I am a bit cautious.
Was it also stressful on the boarder? If so, why? I never had any issues anywhere but with the US, I hear so many horror stories that I just don’t know. I’d really like to go still.
No problem with the ESTA; I got it in a few seconds. Even though I still had a valid one, I applied for a new one simply to see what would occur.
Yes, there are numerous disturbing stories of individuals having their devices checked and being denied entry for no apparent reason, which is, of course, stressful. This can happen to anyone. Regardless of how perfect your documentation and you are, it is ultimately entirely at the immigration agent’s discretion whether you are permitted to enter or not. Very stressful.
The entire procedure took considerably longer than before. The tension in the immigration hall was thick. It was very quiet, everyone was stressed. Many individuals were directed to secondary screening.
I was not asked any questions other than about my first night’s accommodation (which for some strange reason also airline wanted to know). There were no questions regarding an onward ticket (or anything else), which I btw did not have. I then volunteered some information about my itinerary but also stated that I had no hotels booked. The general advise though is: do not volunteer anything, have your accommodation booked and choose a small(er) airport as your point of entry.
Afterwards I was even praised for knowing my itinerary which apparently most people didn´t know. So, it seems this is a “thing” no 1. Know your itinerary
Did you mention that you would be pet / house sitting or just the places that you would be visiting ?
Did you have a hotel booked for the first night ?
- of course not
- yes (which I would anyhow as the flight to my destination was next day and I needed American king size bed to recover from all the stress)
1 Like
Thank you so much for sharing your insights. I think I feel too scared. I have a bazillion stamps from all over the world in my passport. I think that alone would invite them for a secondary inspection. What a grand shame.
Has anyone experiences with Canada? Is it the same there?
I do not know anything about Brazilians stamps but take a look a AIs take on it below.
While applying for ESTA, I recall a message on the application form stating that individuals who have visited certain countries within the past five? years will be denied ESTA. This applies not only to those with passport stamps but to anyone who has visited these countries. I understand that more countries are being added to this list.
“Yes, visitors to the U.S. can have Brazilian stamps in their passports, but it doesn’t guarantee they will receive a U.S. entry stamp. U.S”
added: p.s. why don´t you apply for ESTA. You´ll know right away where you stand, If you´re denied … then you travel somewhere else. If you get it … bon voyage and good luck ;
I think @Romina_Flummi means gazillion, as in loads of 
#guesswork
2 Likes
@august
She said ‘a bazillian stamps’ not ‘a Brazilian stamp’! I immediately interpreted this as a passport full of stamps from around the world!
@Romina_Flummi I can understand your nervousness about housesitting in the US. It is indeed a risky proposition at the moment and I, like many others, have decided to avoid sits in the US for the forseeable. There are plenty of other, much less risky, countries to housesit!
2 Likes
Sorry, yes. It was a typo. I am a fulltime digital Nomad and pet sitter, hence I have a lot of stamps.
Yes, I think I will stick to avoiding the US for sits. It’s such a shame, but Australia and New Zealand and nice and friendlier. I’ll just go there, as much as I’d love to sit in the US and Canada one day.
3 Likes