Being turned away from a U.S. airport

[Gemmie 142]

Customs officials really need a kick up the *** I think the power of being able to decide "who stays" and "who goes" really does go to their head. The UK and US are supposed to share a "special" relationship, and even if they didn't, there is no need to handcuff someone and then offer them beef jerky, possibly the worst food stuff in the western world. I was totally oblivious to all the regulations when my husband and I applied for the K-1. I was made redundant and decided to visit the US for 3 months, and it was during that time he proposed and we made the application. Two days before the 90 day max for visiting the US, I went back to the UK and stayed for a week before returning to the US. I stayed in the US another 2 months, returned to the UK, and came in again for a third set. On the third occasion, the immigration officer asked me why I was coming in and I said, in all my ignorance, "oh Im going through the K-1 visa process as Im marrying a US citizen. I dont have a job in the UK anymore so I thought I would spend the time here with my fiance. Also, Im selling my house now too so pretty soon I wont have my home in the UK either". He wished me luck with my marriage and told me to enjoy my stay !!!

That is crazy!

As I was reading your post, I winced at what you said, knowing what was to come, and he said nothing! You are very lucky indeed, at least now you know how it all works.

I'm going to the US in 3 weeks and I haven't been back to the UK that long (about 6-7 weeks) so I'm hoping there are no problems. It would break my heart if I were denied entry, so much that I'm even telling myself not to get my hopes too high that I'll be seeing Billy soon..

[Mags 112]

All this POE talk is getting me worried now. I was there in June (for 10 days), now flying over there again end of the month (two weeks) and going over there for Thanksgiving for another two weeks.

What should I bring with me to prove strong ties? Argh, being turned away at POE would be my worst nightmare!

I brought a letter from my employer, stating that I was a full time employee, that I had vacation time booked (insert dates) and that I would be returning to work on X date. I also brought my mortgage statement (rental agreement will do for renters), utility bills, and a bank statement (recent to show it was still a "functioning" account).

I wasn't asked for any of these, and I was upfront at the border that I had a K-1 in the works.

Customs officials really need a kick up the *** I think the power of being able to decide "who stays" and "who goes" really does go to their head. The UK and US are supposed to share a "special" relationship, and even if they didn't, there is no need to handcuff someone and then offer them beef jerky, possibly the worst food stuff in the western world. I was totally oblivious to all the regulations when my husband and I applied for the K-1. I was made redundant and decided to visit the US for 3 months, and it was during that time he proposed and we made the application. Two days before the 90 day max for visiting the US, I went back to the UK and stayed for a week before returning to the US. I stayed in the US another 2 months, returned to the UK, and came in again for a third set. On the third occasion, the immigration officer asked me why I was coming in and I said, in all my ignorance, "oh Im going through the K-1 visa process as Im marrying a US citizen. I dont have a job in the UK anymore so I thought I would spend the time here with my fiance. Also, Im selling my house now too so pretty soon I wont have my home in the UK either". He wished me luck with my marriage and told me to enjoy my stay !!!

You were VERY lucky.

I just want to point out that the VWP has a time limit on the amount of time you can spend in the USA. Normally it is 6 months (maximum 3 months at any one time). Go over this time and you are likely to be sent back to your home country.

[Ms. Squirrel 11]

All this POE talk is getting me worried now. I was there in June (for 10 days), now flying over there again end of the month (two weeks) and going over there for Thanksgiving for another two weeks.

What should I bring with me to prove strong ties? Argh, being turned away at POE would be my worst nightmare!

I brought a letter from my employer, stating that I was a full time employee, that I had vacation time booked (insert dates) and that I would be returning to work on X date. I also brought my mortgage statement (rental agreement will do for renters), utility bills, and a bank statement (recent to show it was still a "functioning" account).

I wasn't asked for any of these, and I was upfront at the border that I had a K-1 in the works.

Thanks Mags! I think I will bring all that, also because last time I left, they didn't give me and outstamp and didn't take my I-94. I will ask my boss to write me a letter which includes that I returned from my last trip on June 9th and that I am expected back at work in September. Also, Pedro and I haven't filed for anything and don't plan on, maybe I should just relax.

Before I was on VJ, I was not scared of POE at all. I remember visiting my fiance (the reason I joined VJ was a K1 with him which never happened) and the POE lady asked me - so what are you doing here? And I said - visiting my fiance. And she asked - do you plan on getting married? And I said - I would love to, but didn't bring my birth certificate! Luckily she didn't hassle me with anymore questions and probably just thought I was a typical blonde bimbo (which I kind of was back then) and just let me go.

Edited August 18, 2008 by Ms. Squirrel

[Gemmie 142]

the POE lady asked me - so what are you doing here? And I said - visiting my fiance. And she asked - do you plan on getting married? And I said - I would love to, but didn't bring my birth certificate! Luckily she didn't hassle me with anymore questions and probably just thought I was a typical blonde bimbo (which I kind of was back then) and just let me go.

Wow, you were lucky...

I remember getting to POE after being deafened by the plane (sitting by the wing does that to me sometimes).. The man was quite abrupt and snappy so I was already nervous. He asked all the usual questions about what I was doing there and then asked "do you have or have you been in contact with any livestock?" and I asked what he meant by that. He told me about the animals and me being stupid, I said "Oh... yeah!" (as in, yes I understand what he means now) He just stared at me with a blank look on his face, and then I realised what he had said! I qucikly said "sorry, I meant no!" He stamped my passport and let me go.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Wow, you were lucky...

I remember getting to POE after being deafened by the plane (sitting by the wing does that to me sometimes).. The man was quite abrupt and snappy so I was already nervous. He asked all the usual questions about what I was doing there and then asked "do you have or have you been in contact with any livestock?" and I asked what he meant by that. He told me about the animals and me being stupid, I said "Oh... yeah!" (as in, yes I understand what he means now) He just stared at me with a blank look on his face, and then I realised what he had said! I qucikly said "sorry, I meant no!" He stamped my passport and let me go.

IMO, a good answer to such a chop---k would be "yeah, I had two burgers prior to boarding" (last I checked, burgers are made from beef which IS livestock).

[Laura & Lyle 0]

Kim, this is why I only ever spend a week or two at a time per visit, and make absolutely sure that each visit is seperated by at least 3 months. I'm never gonna give anyone at immigration reason to refuse me entry.

This has made me a little nervous now.

I stayed in the US for 6 weeks on the VWP and then returned to the UK on July 21st. I've been working to make sure my rent is all paid here, and I plan on going back to the US around August 25th-September 25th.

Do you think this will be a problem?

I have a copy of registration from my university stating that my course ends in June 2009 - and also a copy of my apartment contract ending in July 2009.

My fiance was denied access to the US at Minneapolis with her young son in tow. The were treated brutally by C&BP Supervisor for about 5 minutes before they were high stepped to an airplane back to the UK.

If you do draw one of the power trip border personel just be sure to play the game and answer all questions with out attitude. They have little regard for you and best remember this. I don't know why these people act in such a manner and cannot act in a professional manner. I think for the most part you will have no troubles just depends on what type of Border Personel you have to deal with.

[Caladan 19]

C. traveled here for a visit while our petition was processing, and he had no problems. Neither of us ever had, even though the first few times we traveled we certainly had no idea that we even could be denied entry. Having some proof of ties with you helps; also looking like your visit has a defined purpose and start and end point seems to, too. "I'm going for Thanksgiving and then coming back for school" or "I'm going on a two-week vacation" looks a lot different than "I'm spending an unspecified amount of time..."

Make sure you have your return itinerary with you, too.

[nane1104 146]

I never had any worries about POE until the day I tried to visit my bf for the very first time.

For some reason that I don't know, they sent me to secondary inspection and that's when the mess started: They had another persons papers and passport when they started asking me where I was going and how long I intended to stay.

I answered all their questions but of course it didn't match the ticket they had in front of them. It was a real mess, they accused me of lying and told me I should take this "serious" and not to "play games".

I had no idea what was going on and what the issue was, I just continued to tell them what my plans were.

After about an hour, someone else walked in with MY papers, looking for me. I was hoping I was good to go, but no, he just gave my stuff to the officer and left and here was stuck again.

THe officer was now aware of his mistake but continued to question me, now about my previous visit to the US a year prior to see a friend of mine for 5 days.

He wanted to know the address I had stayed at (like I would remember that) and at that point, I was done with my patience.

I told him that obviously he had all this information there on file and if he wanted to continue with this and I would miss my connection flight, I'd be right back there and talk to his supervisor.

Guess what? That worked!

Within a minute I had my passport stamped and was released.

Barely made it to my flight.

It was actually a couple years later when I got on here and read, what could have happened to me in that situation, I totally wasn't aware of all this craziness.

I still believe that you don't have to take everything from these people.

Otherwise I have only good experiences at the POE, specially when I went through with my visa pr AP.

[john_and_marlene 162]

Wow, you were lucky...

I remember getting to POE after being deafened by the plane (sitting by the wing does that to me sometimes).. The man was quite abrupt and snappy so I was already nervous. He asked all the usual questions about what I was doing there and then asked "do you have or have you been in contact with any livestock?" and I asked what he meant by that. He told me about the animals and me being stupid, I said "Oh... yeah!" (as in, yes I understand what he means now) He just stared at me with a blank look on his face, and then I realised what he had said! I qucikly said "sorry, I meant no!" He stamped my passport and let me go.

IMO, a good answer to such a chop---k would be "yeah, I had two burgers prior to boarding" (last I checked, burgers are made from beef which IS livestock).

How can a burger be livestock? If you want to refer to a burger in those terms I guess it would be deadstock

[TBoneTX 45,304]

How can a burger be livestock? If you want to refer to a burger in those terms I guess it would be deadstock

This is a terri-bull observation.

[KimandRuss 0]

The VWP does not have a time limit except the 90 days for the I-94 each time you arrive. It was meant to make it easier for people to travel. The basic guideline is that you spend more time in your own Country than you do the U.S.

There are new regulations in place to be sure that it is not being abused as some ( ) have done in the past. You need to register with your Country to let them know you're coming. This surely would have made our years of using this method much more difficult. Read more about ESTA here.

Whether you get into the Country and how you are treated throughout the process has EVERYTHING to do with the POE officer that processes you. It really ALL comes down to that.

In any case, there is no need for handcuffs and cruelty! We were lucky in that we did not experience that. This abuse of people from those on power trips needs to stop!

Edited October 3, 2008 by KimandRuss