Comment by tim333

The ESTA sort of makes some sense. If the algo has you at low risk you immediately receive a not-a-visa but if it flags you as iffy they have time to look you up. I see the EU has copied it now.

To slightly counter the horror stories, I've had US border hassle in the past but the last trip to Austin in 2023 I didn't even have to fill a form at the border, it was just check fingerprints and have a nice day.