Ugh, POE harassment at Seattle

[Aubrey 10]

My fiancé just got here and was interrogated at POE in Seattle. The officer at the main entry area asked him what the purpose of his visit was (he's coming to see me for 85 days on the VWP) and apparently he didn't like his answer. So he gave him a giant red card and he was sent to the interrogation room, all his bags thoroughly searched, asked about all his finances, how he and I met, why I had paid for his ticket, what he was doing here, etc. My fiancé says he was questions over 30 minutes... then they called me and asked me just about every question the same. I don't think I've ever been so nervous... and simultaneously pissed off. He kept reasking me the same questions, I guess to see if I'd come up with a different answer. I finally asked him "What, is there something illegal about me paying for his ticket?" He's like, "no, but the US has laws about intent to immigrant" blah blah. Of course I know this, and I try very hard to explain he's returning in September and he's here just to visit and that yes, I'll be supporting him during his stay. He of course doesn't believe me and keeps asking more questions. That phone call felt like an eternity, and he hung up without even telling me if my fiancé was getting through! Ugh...

Thank goodness he made it through. We haven't even filed our K1 paperwork yet!

Edited June 26, 2008 by Aubrey

[Saffyre 0]

My fiancé just got here and was interrogated at POE in Seattle. The officer at the main entry area asked him what the purpose of his visit was (he's coming to see me for 85 days on the VWP) and apparently he didn't like his answer. So he gave him a giant red card and he was sent to the interrogation room, all his bags thoroughly searched, asked about all his finances, how he and I met, why I had paid for his ticket, what he was doing here, etc. My fiancé says he was questions over 30 minutes... then they called me and asked me just about every question the same. I don't think I've ever been so nervous... and simultaneously pissed off. He kept reasking me the same questions, I guess to see if I'd come up with a different answer. I finally asked him "What, is there something illegal about me paying for his ticket?" He's like, "no, but the US has laws about intent to immigrant" blah blah. Of course I know this, and I try very hard to explain he's returning in September and he's here just to visit and that yes, I'll be supporting him during his stay. He of course doesn't believe me and keeps asking more questions. That phone call felt like an eternity, and he hung up without even telling me if my fiancé was getting through! Ugh...

Thank goodness he made it through. We haven't even filed our K1 paperwork yet!

Sounds like that guy was having a bad day and was determined to share it with everyone. What an a$$!

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

Well one thing is for certain terrorist aren't getting threw the Seattle POE! Sorry you guys had to go through that. I should have warned you. I've come back twice from International Travel through the Seattle Point of Entry for a USC and they grilled me both time pretty tough since 9/11. The last time was in 2006 and I didn't think I was going to get to pass the security/customs guy. He did the oddest thing and sent me in the line where the big ex-rays were and the guys asked why he sent me through there and I didn't know why except that I had just come back from Egypt. I was also nervous answering questions when they start grilling ur chops like you're in trouble for something and you don't know what. How are you supposed to react getting back into your own country when they're treating you suspiciously!?

Thanks for sharing this!

[DairyFarmer 1]

My fiancé just got here and was interrogated at POE in Seattle. The officer at the main entry area asked him what the purpose of his visit was (he's coming to see me for 85 days on the VWP) and apparently he didn't like his answer. So he gave him a giant red card and he was sent to the interrogation room, all his bags thoroughly searched, asked about all his finances, how he and I met, why I had paid for his ticket, what he was doing here, etc. My fiancé says he was questions over 30 minutes... then they called me and asked me just about every question the same. I don't think I've ever been so nervous... and simultaneously pissed off. He kept reasking me the same questions, I guess to see if I'd come up with a different answer. I finally asked him "What, is there something illegal about me paying for his ticket?" He's like, "no, but the US has laws about intent to immigrant" blah blah. Of course I know this, and I try very hard to explain he's returning in September and he's here just to visit and that yes, I'll be supporting him during his stay. He of course doesn't believe me and keeps asking more questions. That phone call felt like an eternity, and he hung up without even telling me if my fiancé was getting through! Ugh...

Thank goodness he made it through. We haven't even filed our K1 paperwork yet!

Despite all the #######. I say enjoy the next 85 days

[Aubrey 10]

Yeah, well he came through Seattle the first time with no issues, so this was a huge surprise. But I know what you mean Olivia, when I came back from Germany they acted funny to me too just because I was so exhausted - I'd been almost 48 hours with almost no sleep. I really didn't expect this though, and next time he returns it will have to be on his K1 or a visitor visa because this scared the heck out of me!

Thank you DairyFarmer, we will!!!!

[Nagishkaw 510]

Just ....Wow. I can't imagine getting a phone call like that. I don't know how you kept your cool.

[william_wallace 8]

Just another office who thinks he has the power of god. They must be more hated than the USCIS.

I remember when I left the USA to go back home in 2006, they stripped searched me right in front of tourists.

Standing there but nothing but my boxer shorts. W@nkers.

[coatsy 0]

Wow I hope I don't end up with that guy when I go through on the 4th of July

I'm going via Seattle on my way to Boise, and I only have about a 3h layover

Fingers crossed! glad he mate it ok though! peace and quiet from immigration woes for the next 85 days

[Marilyn. 340]

my hubby got "interrogated" almost every time he went through the Vancouver airport in Canada when he would come to visit me...

i guess he might have looked like a guy who is up to no good.. although he is just a sweet lovable teddy bear

[christera22 8]

Hi Aubrey.......thanks so much for sharing your pain with us.I can correctly understand what hell you went through.And specially when the officer hung up the phone without telling you anything of the result.Thats rude and purely impolite and against human rights.We have the right to know the result and specially when someone dear is at a foreign country and coming in depending on us.As you saw OLIVIA stated "How are you supposed to react getting back into your own country when they're treating you suspiciously!? "........ARE WE LIVING IN A COUNTRY THATS RULING US BUT SAYING THAT WE ARE A FREE COUNTRY ?? ARE WE LIVING IN A COUNTRY OF FEAR ?? ya may be 9/11 did that to us ...but there shd be a limit to rudeness.

There are lots of flaws. Most of these POE officers have compartalised minds and think in opnly one way like a robot.In spite after those long international filghts they dnt feel bad to make people stand for hours and have no arrangements to sit.I have seen old couples sit on the floor as very naturally its too hard for them to stand in long queues after 18 hrs of flight. Then there is not enough translators for all languages...someone of the same language from the queue is called up and if there is none...then the person is in more trouble !!

These people are not trained for understanding international accents of english and not trained to talk international english.So a person coming for 1st time in usa cant understand his english and neither can he understand the visitor`s.

Plus if all has seen after all those security cheks POE officers carry guns ....as if all terrorists are standing in a line

I say we are making a mock image of us internationally .............. whjere even own citizens are grilled after they return to thewir country as Olivia stated. What to say ...sorry for your experience Aubrey....i dnt know if you can do anything against them or not ....................there are more knowledgebale people here to advice . God Bless you and enjoy the togetherness.............. there are evils everywhere !!

Edited June 26, 2008 by christera22

[Ursa Tripudio 2]

Incidents like that are pointless and add to the bad reputation America has throughout the world.

I'm glad it worked out OK for you.

Thanks for sharing. Now, put it behind you and enjoy yourselves.

[christera22 8]

I am really ashamed what happed to WILLIAM WALLACE !! My God they strip searched and made HIM stand before the tourists in his shorts !!! Cdnt they have taken him in a seperate room if they have suspected anything ??? Wat impression of USA does a foreign carry back home when he faces such a humiliation ! Is there any rule or not !! It seems they act the way they want to !!

When my hubby came from India this POE officer cdnt understand when he said 8.He understood AIDS !! He has finally to write it down to make him understand.What a ####### ! When he went back at the airport they said he has huge bombs in his ruksak !! Then it was found to be Hershey`s Chocolate bars !!!

Now, put it behind you and enjoy yourselves.

VJ ers pls add your reactions too !!

Edited June 26, 2008 by christera22

[raphael7546 0]

typical customs guy that thinks he is God cuz he has a badge and a gun.

So glad I don't have to go thru that BS ever again. I had the customs guy from hell and didn't go thru the border again for almost 2 & half years till my visa was in my hot little hands. There was no way I was gonna let them treat me like a crimminal again.

[rebeccajo 14]

I'd be rethinking that September visit if I were you. Sorry to say.

[jundp 191]

Yeah, well he came through Seattle the first time with no issues, so this was a huge surprise. But I know what you mean Olivia, when I came back from Germany they acted funny to me too just because I was so exhausted - I'd been almost 48 hours with almost no sleep. I really didn't expect this though, and next time he returns it will have to be on his K1 or a visitor visa because this scared the heck out of me!

Thank you DairyFarmer, we will!!!!

Wow, Aubrey. That sucks big time. I'm so shocked at the news about Seattle. Patrick's gone through Seattle 3 or 4 times and has never had a problem. Including two visits AFTER we filed K1. In fact, the only time he was ever asked anything was once going through Atlanta, before we were engaged. The guy there said "you getting engaged?" and Patrick said something like "maybe, but not now"!!! Then the last time, after we'd filed K1 and received the NOA2, I was worried about it so he brought tons of stuff to show ties to Germany (and a copy of the NOA2) and the only place he got questioned was leaving Stuttgart! They wanted to know what kind of visa he'd applied for, but they were more curious than anything.

I wonder if it's the length of the visit that had them questioning? Did you say he'd applied for a student visa and that didn't work out? I wonder if it's in the system somehow?

Well, as the others said, enjoy you visit!