I am really surprised at people actually defending the immigration officials in this matter!!! After all it was not a question of bending rules at all - but a matter of a little more humane treatment, especially to people traveling with small children. After all there would have been no harm done if the officials had held them at the airport and waited another couple of hours for the faxed documents to get there.
We Indians are so ready to bend rules and even forget them in most matters, but when it comes to issues like this rules have to be adhered to strictly and immovably!!! I wonder if it is jealousy for the so-called 'successful' NRIs that is being reflected in the behaviour of the immigration officials and the people who support them, or if it is just a desire for getting their palms greased with US dollars.
As for people saying that US immigration is no better - I have never seen or heard of US citizens particularly with small children being treated in this manner in their own country. It makes more sense if the Frenchman without visa was deported instead of two minor kids whose parents are legal Indian citizens.
