"Legitimate Visitors" to U.S. Get the Disney Treatment [1]
Submitted by Diane Farsetta [2] on
Travelers flying into the United States via airports in Washington DC and Houston are being shown "a sappy seven-minute film [3] made by the folks at Walt Disney [4] showcasing all that is wonderful, scenic and nice about the land of the free." Eventually, the film will be shown "in the international arrivals halls of all major U.S. airports as well as in visa-processing offices around the world. Major airlines will also be encouraged to show it on aircraft shortly before landing in the U.S." The movie was made by Disney's Frederico Tio, himself a Cuban immigrant, and donated to the U.S. government. U.S. public diplomacy [5] czar Karen Hughes [6] praised the film for "creating a warm first impression, and first impressions are important." A joint U.S. government / Disney press release [7] says the film is part of "a joint vision" by the State [8] and Homeland Security [9] Departments "to enhance border security while streamlining security processes and facilitating travel for legitimate visitors."