Thats a little bit of sarcasm right there. And I doubt this Italian guy has otherworldly diseases that will rip through our fragile American immune systems.

It was my first trip.  I was trying to quantify my length of visit, because it was longer than a typical holiday.  I had flights already scheduled and paid for my return trip.  Non-refundable, non-transferable tickets.  I wasn't illegally overstaying, they denied my entry because they feared it.

As for the others, with the exception of the one person who actually did all the right things, he was even still in school, but somebody somewhere at the school he was at didn't follow through with their responsibilities by the time he was aware of it, it turned out to be too late.  I know someone here in the states who basically had the same thing happen, she's still here after 20+ years, owns her own business, has kids, a home, etc.

The musicians, it wasn't their fault.  It was the fault of the promoter in the UK.  He was responsible for them having the right paper work for entry and admitted so to them.  The UK also doesn't require a work visa, it requires an entertainer (actor/artist/musician) visa. 

The US does not require a visa for holiday or work, as long as the stay is less than 90 days.  Again, we are a wee bit less strict than the UK.  I would have been permitted in the US based on what I told the border agent.

My guess on Top Gear is they were concerned about the insurance, but ridiculous is ridiculous.  If the show had a visa, then they should have been permitted without being stopped.  If they came without a visa, it's still legal for them to work in the US for 90 days or less, so again they shouldn't have been stopped.

I don't think the UK is evil, or mean, but they are more strict than the US.  Trust me.  Even the border agents told me the laws had been tightened.  It had nothing to do with 9/11, but everything to do with the UKs desire to keep people from staying. 

I don't begrudge my captors, they were exceptionally nice people, but I would have preferred the opportunity to have my planned holiday.  I did actually get to meet an honest to God Welshmen who spoke in a strong Welsh accent.  None of that movie-type of Welsh.  Admittedly, I'm glad I met him cause I didn't know what real Welsh was.  Now I understand better how similar the Celtic people of the British Isles are. 

Hey, why don't USA send us back some physicists and engineers instead? Haven't we already enough problems? Anyway, no-profit organizations that help poor people and people with problems like him are Caritas and Community of Sant'Egidio for relief, Community of San Patrignano for detox, rehab and learn a work, and Knights of Malta can provide medical care until his citizenship situation gets clear.

"I understand that a Mexican who comes up here and is deported for breaking the law. That makes sense because he has a home there, speaks the language, and all the other perks you get from living in a country for most of your life. But my GF's Brother is basically an American."

You understand wrong. It doesn't make sense.

Not the worst place to be sent back.

Its a crappy situation but... lets just blame the parents.

why doesn't he marry your sister, can't you become a U.S citizen that way?

Yes.

Avoiding being caught for a long time isn't proper reason to avoid executing the law.

Guy had a lot of chances.

It sucks... sure.  You can't just make allowances for people who go out of there way to not do things though.

The US does this all the time.  It's actually quite the controversy here that we don't let visiting students stay once they graduate.  You can't really get a job if your an illegal alien enginner.  (Which is also why the California Dream act and other acts allowing illegal immigrants college educations are just stupid.)

Yes, I guessed it was so unnecessarily convoluted.    Anyway in this case I meant those graduated here in Italy and emigrated.

That's actually quite interesting, because the faculty of mechanical engineering at mcgill has 4 italians. 
As an italo-canadian, I've got to say I'm quite sad at how bad I've heard they are at teaching... you can have em back :P

We'll trade you 4 engineers for spurgeonryan's gf's boyfriend and some homemade canoli. :P