How To Dealing With Random Security Check From Immigration

Immigration matters are indiscriminate, especially in countries that are very closely monitored, say Indonesia's neighboring countries, Singapore. Most travelers who were hit by random immigration checks did not know the reason why they were subjected to 'inspection' of immigration officers.
If you ask the reason too, the answer is limited to "ordinary checks", "just registration", or something like that.
The Random Immigration Check is a random check, more in-depth checks conducted by immigration officers on visitors / visitors / tourists. The reason is for the security of the country concerned. The immigration officer will check the completeness of the documents, certain documents, usually the passport, visa, residence permit, travel itinerary, return ticket, reference in the destination country, the amount of cash taken, and so on.

If when random security checking is done to someone and then is proven to have committed a violation, then it is most likely to be deported, aka repatriated to the country of origin.

Unfortunately even though in full documents, we could be hit by a random check. Then why can someone become the target of random check? Although the term is random alias random, there are actually certain reasons why someone can be hit by random check. There is never official information about the target of the random check and the reason for the random check, but can be mentioned as follows:

Suspicious name
Names that smell of terrorism will be more suspect. Somehow Islamic names are usually more suspect, maybe the world community is traumatized by terrorism cases that have previously occurred. But don't worry, the important thing is that the purpose of the visit is clear, the visa is clear, the passport is still valid, able to speak English, enough cash, return tickets are there, clear residence while in the destination country and if possible have reference people in the destination country

TIPS: Names are gifts from parents and are a prayer for parents for their children. No need to think about changing names, the important thing is that complete documents, don't let anything be missed, don't break the law, keep calm, don't be emotional, and answer the officer questions clearly. Relax as long as it's true.

Suspicious appearance
Outward appearance will be one that is considered by immigration officers. If the clothes are suspicious, it will increase the likelihood that we will get a random security check and will be checked very carefully. Some appearances that are considered suspicious are as follows:

Full covered clothes with a burka / veil.
This is especially true in European countries, immigration officials will ask the tourist concerned to release burka / veil / veil. Do not be emotional if you just know this, not also a problem of discrimination, but this is considered a preventive step to prevent the entry of possible terrorists. This is because of the negative stigma towards the clothing (veil), so that closed clothing is thoroughly associated with terrorism.

TIPS: If you get random checking, ask the female immigration officer to check you. This is where your language skills and negotiations are tested. Do not be provoked by emotions, sometimes there are words of officers whose meaning is ambiguous. Don't fight officers, keep calm and answer questions well.

Clothes that dont match with the enviroment
It doesn't matter if you wear a thick jacket / coat if it's winter, but you will be suspected if you wear it in the summer. You will be suspected of storing something behind a jacket or jacket that is used to cover something, maybe smuggling goods, animals, drugs and so on.

Bad Appearance
Shabby clothes, shabby faces, mess, then this will increase the likelihood of you being hit by random security check. For example, in Harbourfront Singapore, shabby-looking tourists are more likely to be suspected of being illegal laborers. Harbourfront is one of the closest ports of Indonesia that can be easily accessed via Batam.
TIPS: Wear clothes that are normal, neat, not flashy, casual and suitable for the season. Basically if we know ourselves, know the situation and know the conditions, it is likely that there is little chance of being hit by random security check. Like the proverb "Where the earth is standing there, heaven is upheld", we must get used to finding out before visiting abroad. Find out its culture, find out its way of life, find out what is allowed and what is prohibited.

Ability of speaking English
English is recognized as an international language, and is used in many countries. Therefore, English language skills are the main capital when you travel abroad.

If the person is difficult to use English (and also cannot use local languages) it will be difficult to communicate and is considered to be troublesome. For example, if foreign tourists who don't speak English visit Australia, chances are that they will be checked more strictly than foreign tourists who speak English fluently.

TIPS: Learn English first when going for a trip abroad. Improve English skills, especially speaking and listening for everyday conversation. Also learn immigration terms that use English, so that we know what our rights and obligations are as tourists.

Too Many Items
Bringing too much and too much stuff will increase your chances of being random check. You will be an easy target for immigration officers, even if you pass your metal detector, you will still be inspected, searched, bag / luggage / cardboard unloaded together to ensure your luggage.

Suppose your goal is to come to that country to take a 2-day seminar, but it is very much congenital. Chances are you will be suspected of smuggling goods (for sale in the destination country) or smuggling drugs, then getting ready will be checked by immigration officials. Vice versa, the goal is one month but you only carry a small bag / pouch. It is possible that the immigration officer is worried that you will only become a burden, coming to the destination country only to cheer up.

TIPS: Adjust your luggage with how long you visit, bring enough items. Maybe it's enough to use a backpack, or cabin size suitcase. If it's really long, for school / college or other purposes, you can use a large suitcase.

Cellphones and Laptops
When doing a random check it is possible that your cellphone and laptop will be checked too, even in great detail. Therefore, be careful with data, photos or anything on cellphones and laptops. Do not let anything related to terrorism, Islam, or other things considered dangerous. Don't underestimate this, don't feel that you can defend your opinion, because if you reject it you will be more suspected and considered to be against you. If you are considered to be against it, it will be considered a threat, immigration officers will not hesitate to deport you.

TIPS: It's all wrong because cellphones and laptops are certainly related to privacy. But if there are no strange things, ordinary things, you should just follow the instructions of the immigration officer. Do not store even a bit of data / photos / videos related to terrorism.

Not Paying Attention to Details
The details mentioned are as follows:

- do not fill in the immigration form clearly.

- do not follow the rules for cellphone use. Usually in the immigration area you cannot use a cellphone.

- not paying attention to security levels in each country.

TIPS: Yes, of course you have to pay more attention to something, first study the procedures for entering the country, and how the country's immigration rules. Do not use the cellphone in the immigration area as well as the contents of the immigration form as clearly and completely as possible, because on the form all the information needed by the immigration officer usually includes the full name, passport number, destination for arrival, how long, where to stay during the visit. If you have a reference, write it down too. Proof of booking a return ticket, a hotel reservation will also be asked. We recommend that you prepare the printout as well. Don't just softcopy on mobile.

Random checking requires at least 1 hour, because the officer will do a detailed inspection. The following is a series of checking processes by immigration officers:

1) When your passport is checked at the immigration post, the data will be matched including your face with the photo on the passport. If a visa is required, a visa will also be asked. If suspicious and you are included in the criteria 'must be checked further' the immigration officer will call another colleague to take you to a special room. This is the condition where you get a random security check. You will be asked to wait for another officer in the room.

2) Next you will be asked about a number of things about the purpose of arrival, how long, full name, occupation, place of residence in the destination country, when to return to the country of origin (when will leave the country), return ticket, and may even be asked People's contact number is a reference in the destination country. Sometimes your social media account is also asked. If you are checked because of a suspicious appearance and excessive luggage, the officer will also search bag / luggage.

3) If you have checked and are considered problematic and uncooperative, the officer will not allow you to enter the country, but instead will deport you back to your country of origin. If your passport has been contaminated with a stamp of "deported!", Then you will have difficulty passing the immigration post when visiting other countries. Therefore, it is very important to remain calm and cooperative while checking.

4) If it is considered clean and free of all kinds of suspicious things, the officer will give you permission to continue the journey.

Additional TIPS:

- Bring your own pen, to fill in the immigration card. If the card is given on the plane, fill it while still on the plane. Fill honestly and complete information. Adjust the information included on the immigration card with your answer when asked by the immigration officer.
- If you have passed a check at the immigration post, you will usually be given a copy of the immigration card (Singapore). Save this piece of immigration card carefully, combine it with your passport, because if it is lost it will likely be a problem when you go home.

- Follow the rules in that country. One of them is the rule of cellphone usage, the rules for queuing, orderly when queuing, focusing and watching around.

- We recommend that you turn off the cellphone when queuing. You only have enough immigration documents that you hold.

- Patient and polite, there is no need to argue, refute let alone fight. Keep in mind if you are not cooperative you could be deported.

- When checked at the immigration post, open all accessories on the head and face. This is meant to facilitate the examination of immigration officers. For example: veils, masks, sunglasses, bandanas, hats and so on. If it is considered unclear, it is possible that the officer will call another officer to lead you to a special room, aka you will get a random check.

- Say a greeting and thank you at the immigration post.

- Prepare notes for important numbers and addresses, such as embassies, hotel stays, reference people in the destination country.
Random security check can happen to anyone, even though the document is complete. Stay confident, calm and patient, because basically random check is only a deeper data verification process. If you are clean, do not break the rules, and there is no threat, then do not worry about this random check.