Expats living in developing countries (like India) where corruption is rampant, have you ever contacted the US Embassy/Consulate?
Posted by Glum-Adagio7489@reddit | expats | View on Reddit | 9 comments
Question for Expats living in developing countries (like India) where corruption is rampant.
When faced with obvious attempts at bribery even after following legal process, have you ever stood your ground or contacted the US Embassy/Consulate?
Does the US Embassy/Consulate help (e.g send an inquiry to the local government agency) to put them on guard?
North_Moose1627@reddit
US Embassy or US government has no reason, jurisdictoon or desire to get involved in situations like what you describe. You will do yourself a favor if you learn quickly that moving abroad means you are no longer under the "umbrella" of US laws. Your congressional inquiry question below falls in the same category 😄
grandmofftalkin1@reddit
Lol no.
FinestTreesInDa7Seas@reddit
Your tag shows you moved from the US to Canada?
grandmofftalkin1@reddit
Yes, but that doesn't mean I don't know what the basic function of an embassy is.
FinestTreesInDa7Seas@reddit
OP was asking about developing countries with corruption
Bomboclaat_Babylon@reddit
Lol. How dare you sir, I am an American! I will call the US police on you! That's not how the world works / not what embassies are for.
FinestTreesInDa7Seas@reddit
Realistically, very little will be done by your country's embassy in a situation like this.
If it's a case where police are threatened to throw you in prison for something like a minor traffic violation unless you pay a bribe, or confiscate your IDs/passport, at best the embassy will contact the country's foreign affairs dept, or maybe the local police chief, and help mediate.
If it's something like "I went to a local government office to submit a form, and they asked for a $100 bribe", your embassy is probably just going to help you find a local lawyer, and send you on your way. They will probably not even offer you legal advice.
The Vienna Convention prevents your country's embassy from interfering with local law. At best they can help you find a way to make sure local law is applied correctly. But if the local law is "6 months prison for running a stop sign", your local embassy can't do anything.
phrozen1@reddit
Generally speaking, no, the US Embassy would not get involved in trivial matters such as this for private citizens.
Glum-Adagio7489@reddit (OP)
You are probably right. I was thinking along the lines of a "congressional inquiry"