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Discussion » Questions » Legal » Are American citizens who go to foreign countries expected to respect and abide by the laws there?
Randy D

Are American citizens who go to foreign countries expected to respect and abide by the laws there?

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Posted - February 25, 2017
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Responses


  • 19937
    Yes, they are and, as a visitor, it's the right thing to do.
      February 25, 2017 12:33 PM MST
    5

  • Yes. By the host country and by us, their fellow citizens. This post was edited by Benedict Arnold at February 27, 2017 12:07 AM MST
      February 25, 2017 1:01 PM MST
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  • 5614
    Expected to, yes. Predicted to, no ;)
      February 25, 2017 1:13 PM MST
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  • Unless they like foreign jails (or maybe being caned), the host nation would certainly expect visitors to abide by local laws.  
      February 25, 2017 1:35 PM MST
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  • Try going to somewhere like Saudi Arabia and not abiding by their laws and see what happens.
      February 25, 2017 1:47 PM MST
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  • 53504


    Would it be advisable for an American citizen in a country such as Saudi Arabia to protest a deportation as racist or bigoted, after having entered that county illegally, or having remained in that country illegally once the visa expired?

    ~ 
      February 25, 2017 8:39 PM MST
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  • I don't believe they have racists in such countries only law breakers.
      February 27, 2017 12:13 AM MST
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  • 5808
    ...to abide by their customs
    is heart to heart communication.
    Absolutely I say to your question.
         We are under their laws if we are in their country,
    besides in showing respect for their laws and customs
    makes one easier to be welcomed into their country.
       Many are trumps when they go into another country,
    loud, boisterous, throwing big egos around,
    and showing no respect for others.
         It builds opinions about this kind 
    of behavior ...hence the Term "Ugly American",
    which I am sure you have heard of 
    and imho it is true with my feelings in this case.
         In my experience, (18 countries) Americans are the worst
    (I am an American) and Have seen it too many times around the world.
    Not Putting down America, I love it.
         But our respect for other cultures
    should be carried with us always.




      February 25, 2017 1:58 PM MST
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  • Not just Americans. Anybody who visits another country had better be prepared to respect their laws. The media is never short of stories about tourists who get into trouble for all manner of breaches. 
      February 25, 2017 3:18 PM MST
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  • 53504
    Thank you for your answer. 

    Other than just tourists, does your answer also encompass people who enter another country in a manner contrary to that country's immigration laws, or who enter that country legally, yet remain beyond the expiration of their visas, thereby becoming out of legal status? 

    ~
      February 25, 2017 8:34 PM MST
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  • Of course. I quoted tourists because they're the people who keep making sensational stories in the media. So, yeah, illegal immigrants and overstayers are in the same boat. So is that Ameican Christian who was arrested in North Korea a few years ago for distributing proscribed literature.
      February 25, 2017 8:38 PM MST
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  • 53504

    One further expansion upon your answer string, if you don't mind: does that also work conversely for citizens of other countries who are in the United States, should they be expected to respect the laws of the United States?

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      February 25, 2017 8:48 PM MST
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  • If you read the first two sentences of my answer you'll see that I moved away from "Americans" to "Anybody". So, yes, of course it applies to foreigners visiting the US. 
      February 25, 2017 8:51 PM MST
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  • 53504


    Thank you. 
    ~
      February 25, 2017 8:53 PM MST
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  • Dearie me I'm having the vapours, they're "undocumented" not illegal at least in the US that's what they are.
      February 27, 2017 12:17 AM MST
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  • Is that like "You say tomayto and I say tomahto?"
      February 27, 2017 2:53 AM MST
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  • 7683
    Of course;))
      February 25, 2017 9:00 PM MST
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  • 22891
    probably
      February 25, 2017 9:16 PM MST
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  • Yes they are. It doesn't seem to apply here in the States though. 
      February 27, 2017 2:58 AM MST
    1