I have a coworker travelling there in July. Unwillingly, I’ve been more or less been kept in the loop what preparing the trip implies and I’m pretty horrified.
Up until now, these are some of demands made (and accepted):
- full disclosure and acess to social networks
- criminal record
- recent photo, perfectly groomed and in the attire to be used to travel there. No deviations will be tolerated from the supplied photo.
- complete list of possible identifying marks on the body, with pictures (tattoos, moles, melanistic spots, scars, etc)
- name and social networks of parents, siblings and other close relatives, including children.
The person is separated with two children; this is causing a lot of friction.
- has already been warned an interview of up to two hours will be held upon arrival.
The person speaks broken english at best.
- disclosure of place of employment and other connections to public organizations
They are connected to a local soccer club and a youth sports association.
To add to all of this, this isn’t a standard caucasian human but someone who has looks that can be taken for someone from the middle east, slightly darker shade of skin included.
Flying from southern europe straight to Florida.
I’m concerned. I would not go, full stop. They have people waiting there for them but nonetheless. Considering the heated state of affairs, it is something I consider of not easily to overlook risk.
I am not going there. Full stop. But I work with this person on daily basis. I’m human. I get concerned.
Sorry I misread. I don’t want to alarm you but you have every reason to be concerned. He’s an adult, all you can really do is tell him the risks. Why does he feel the need to to come here right now? .
Visiting family of their current partner. And as the tickets were paid for by the family living there, there is an added feeling of obligation, but the main drive is the eagerness to travel abroad, the opportunity. Their words, not mine.
I’m sure you already have, but definitely discourage him heavily from doing that. A ticket can potentially be refunded. Even if it can’t, it’s replaceable. He on the other hand is irreplaceable. There’s only one if him and will only ever be one of him.
It’s definitely not worth going right now.
But he’s an adult, and is going to make his own choices. If he goes anyway, you did everything you could.