You know, the part where I said:
Granted, there is a difference between a "typical" H1B, which supposes a lack of qualified local talent; and this case, where it was the specific individual that was required.
And did you also read my explanation for why I still think it's a good idea to enforce the laws as written? That was the next paragraph:
Given that I prefer enforcement of existing law to passing ever more draconian laws (which will then also be selectively enfoced) ...
I'll spell it out, since you either didn't get it or chose to miss it:
  • We already have laws which, if enforced, may have prevented some of the 9/11 hijackers from being herre.
  • Instead of promising to enforce the laws already on the books, our government has decided to pass a whole new raft of invasive laws that would not have had any effect even had they been in place and enforced.
  • If we're going to start enforcing existing laws, we have to enforce them as written, otherwise they're meaningless.
  • If the visa laws say that anyone coming here to work is supposed to have an H1B, and there is no exception in the law for individual authors/journalists, then this should be standard practice for anyone coming to lecture here.
If the law had not been enforced in the past, and now is being enforced, then the behavior of the border guards was exactly appropriate. And after contacting people with the pull to get the visa through quickly, he was let in. And the next time he comes he'll apply for the visa sooner. What's the problem?