Very Serious Question

[His Glory 25]

Hey, when my husband was a young man he traveled without a passport. He said it was a common thing to do and he and some friends traveled through nigeria and togo without a passport by simple walking less traveled roads. He will freely tell embassy this because its the truth and they can see its not on passport. So we are prepared to be put on AP. He never stayed in these countries. He was only passing. He did get police certificates from the countries he did stay 6months and over. Does anyone have experience with this issue? Of course my husband regrets this now as a Christian and a wiser person but back then as a carefree and impulsive youth he didnt really think about because it was so common. I dont want to be negative about the interview outcome but we do want to be prepared. We are not afraid of being on AP because my husband has never commited any serious crimes other than traveling without papers. What has your experience been with this?

[Bassi and Zainab 1]

Hey, when my husband was a young man he traveled without a passport. He said it was a common thing to do and he and some friends traveled through nigeria and togo without a passport by simple walking less traveled roads. He will freely tell embassy this because its the truth and they can see its not on passport. So we are prepared to be put on AP. He never stayed in these countries. He was only passing. He did get police certificates from the countries he did stay 6months and over. Does anyone have experience with this issue? Of course my husband regrets this now as a Christian and a wiser person but back then as a carefree and impulsive youth he didnt really think about because it was so common. I dont want to be negative about the interview outcome but we do want to be prepared. We are not afraid of being on AP because my husband has never commited any serious crimes other than traveling without papers. What has your experience been with this?

Is that actually a crime? I guess I think that it's not a big deal and I'm not really sure how it would come up during the interview, unless he offered it, which he probably shouldn't offer anything other than I love Efia with all my heart and soul. I suppose if he said he travelled through Egypt, Libya or some other MENA countries that would be an immediate AP but it may not even be an issue. I guess as we get closer to the interview date we start thinking of every possibility and drive ourselves absolutely bonkers. {hugs} Keep positive!

[Sylvia_n_Joseph 3]

Is that really any different than a day trip to Canada or Mexico used to be ? I can remeber that I used to go to both sides of the falls with no more than a couple questions answered and No ID. It used to be where you from , what are you doing and have a good time. They didn't record anything.

[Bassi and Zainab 1]

Is that really any different than a day trip to Canada or Mexico used to be ? I can remeber that I used to go to both sides of the falls with no more than a couple questions answered and No ID. It used to be where you from , what are you doing and have a good time. They didn't record anything.

That's what I was thinking because I live in Upstate NY, Canada was like going to New Jersey, same distance. ID wasn't required before 911. Now they actually want a passport. It wasn't illegal but maybe it is now? So, maybe your husband didn't break a law because it wasn't illegal when he did it? I don't know.

[Zee Bee 61]

Efia, that is not a big deal at all. The only reason they put someone on AR/AP is if they have a name hit or need further review. The fact that he was passing through is not something that should come up in the interview unless he stayed there more than 6 months and got a police certificate.

Remember, unless the CO asks for specific answers: DO NOT VOLUNTEER ANY EXTRA INFORMATION.

FYI: It is NOT illegal for him to have crossed over to Togo or anywhere else. It is very common, members of my family do it to go and sell products and buy stuff. People do it all the time, even today. Not a big deal

[We_Destiny 1]

(ECOWAS) Economic Community of West African States; can freely enter countries in that are included in such. Remember when you travelled they had a line for ECOWAS entry at the POE.

No visa is needed to gain entry if one holds a passport from any listed to go to the other some require a small fee to enter. If you don't have a passport you pay more money to enter the country. (no big deal)

http://www.ecowas.int/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Ecowas_map.svgMap of ECOWAS as of 2006.

[His Glory 25]

Oh my goodness! Thank you all so much for easing my mind. I will call my husband in his morning and let me know all that you guys have told me. There is a certain portion of one of the forms that asked which countries has he visited and in what year. Thats when we had to go through the list.

[chispas 0]

Efia,,, I could just hug you girl. Don't even sweat this one. My husband actually lived in several different countries and did not have any of the visa stamps to show it. He did have a diplomatic at one time and when his father died, that passport was yanked back. However, he did provide police reports from those countries and it was not a problem. He did say that during the interview he was asked about each country and was also asked general facts about being in those countries.

[His Glory 25]

Efia,,, I could just hug you girl. Don't even sweat this one. My husband actually lived in several different countries and did not have any of the visa stamps to show it. He did have a diplomatic at one time and when his father died, that passport was yanked back. However, he did provide police reports from those countries and it was not a problem. He did say that during the interview he was asked about each country and was also asked general facts about being in those countries.

Thanks Chispas Zain it is nerve racking. I have decided no matter what I will go. I called the owner of the apt I was hoping on getting ( i lived there before) she said she would love to have me back and wished me the best with the immigration. She said call her as soon as I get the news about whether he is denied or can come cause she will hold the apt till april. Its a really beautiful victorian home split in two. I mentioned that i would love to own a home like that so my mother can move into the smaller part and my husband and I can have the bigger one and she said well.....that her and her husband are going through a divorce and that eventually she will sell it and that maybe by then my husband and I will be in a position to buy it I hope so.

[Bassi and Zainab 1]

Thanks Chispas Zain it is nerve racking. I have decided no matter what I will go. I called the owner of the apt I was hoping on getting ( i lived there before) she said she would love to have me back and wished me the best with the immigration. She said call her as soon as I get the news about whether he is denied or can come cause she will hold the apt till april. Its a really beautiful victorian home split in two. I mentioned that i would love to own a home like that so my mother can move into the smaller part and my husband and I can have the bigger one and she said well.....that her and her husband are going through a divorce and that eventually she will sell it and that maybe by then my husband and I will be in a position to buy it I hope so.

That's great news about the house. God always takes care of his babies, just let him handle everything. I really hope that you have an opportunity to go. I think you'll feel soooo much better if you do. It's something you can have some control over, you know what I mean. The rest of the process is totally out of your control. Well, keep posting. We'll keep you sane. Or at least no crazier than us!

[ForeverAmen 0]

I think you will be OK.

Wish you well.

Boaz