Had a Lebanese friend who used to have to submit to beatings at every border he crossed (carrying several passports) in order to go home to visit his family. Then, when his family came to his father's house to see him, he had to submit to more beatings from his relatives because my friend was considered a traitor just because he lived in Seattle -- even though he was supporting the entire clan by sending money home for everyone. I have seen the bruises and the look in his eye after everyone of these trips. And this from people who had been to the US to visit him and to seek medical care. They were just filled with lies and misconceptions about life in the US, and you couldn't shake them from these crazy notions.