Update on My FIL's Expedited Removal

[allousa 1]

We STILL do not have answers and it's become even more confusing....

Late last week, my FIL received a call from the U.S. Consulate in Casablanca telling him that he had an appointment to meet with someone on Tuesday the 29th. We were all very hopeful that this appointment would provide his FIL and all of us long awaited answers as to what happened and why he was denied entry into the U.S.

Upon his arrival at the Consulate, they were unsure as to who had called him and had to make several calls back into the office to even determine who he was there to see. After at least an hour, they finally let him in and he spoke to someone at the window. They told him that he could reapply for his Visa! My FIL was like "WHAT????" He asked them why was he denied entry in the first place and they said they didn't know why. Even after my FIL told them what happened, they were surprised themselves that he was denied entry, but the officer said that he did not have any information as to why, but that he was able to reapply. They offered no additional information as to who he could contact concerning what happened.

This is what makes absolutely NO SENSE to me...if the Consulate called him to tell him they could reapply, then how would they know that he even needed to. The Visa that they issued was a 3 year tourist visa. I would assume that they would have had to have been notified that something happened with his visa in order for them to tell him he could reapply. Right????

We are still in the process of an attorney filing a request to Homeland Security based on the Freedom of Information Act in order to get some kind of notification of why he was denied entry. The attorney did tell us that many times they will deny the request based on "State Security" and they are not required by law to give us this document.

Since the incident happened, my FIL has told my husband more things that he remembers and he said that the questions they asked him mostly had to do with his work and his business. He is a licensed teacher and owns and runs three elementary schools. He said that one of the officers actually made the comment that he probably wanted to come here and stay so he could work. We all laughed at that since his dad is 70 years old and is has a successful business in Morocco.

We all think that what happened is either a miscommunication through translation because remember they had a translator over the phone and not in person during questioning OR it was just some jacked up officer who got in his mind that my FIL was going to come in and stay.

We are all aware of the fact that Homeland Security officers have the authority to grant/deny/question and that is how the system goes. But the complete abuse of their authority and how they treated all of us is what sickens me to my core. The more we get into this, the more bureacratic "#######" we have to deal with and the attitudes of irrelevance.

Just makes me so flipp'in ANGRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[doodlebugg 10]

That sucks. I still think you should have contacted the ACLU but if you're comfortable with the attorney then hopefully that will get you somewhere. I just think the ACLU would have heated up the press and it would get resolved quicker.

[KimandRuss 0]

I agree, contact ACLU as well.

It's good to know you're still fighting this! This is what America was built on and I think far too many people forget that.

Please keep us posted.

[Jenn! 918]

I don't buy the coming to stay and work reason - if they really thought that were true, obviously his wife would have been scheming this overstay and illegal work with him. But they let her in.

As for Casa, I can't say I'm surprised that they don't know what the hell is going on. Right hand, left hand....

[allousa 1]

We HAVE contacted the ACLU but have not yet heard back from them.

I agree with you Jenn that it doesn't seem right if they would let his mom in but not his dad. None of this makes any sense to me....at all!

And I wasn't surprised with Casa either for being that disorganized...but I'm still perplexed over why would they notify him that he could reapply. They would have HAD to have been notified that something with the previous visa wasn't right...don't you think?

[morocco4ever 63]

I suspect they know more than they want to admit, and they are trying to cover up a big screw up. Otherwise why would they know that he needs to reapply? But then again, I am just speculating. The whole situation sucks. I hope you are recovering from this situation. I hope your husbands family doesn't base all Americans on this Jacka$$.

[AlHayatZween 2]

Ughhhh!

The whole situation sounds terrible. So sorry to hear that you still haven't uncovered anything!

At least try to find some comfort in knowing that you are doing everything you CAN do...

[deadbird 2]

Terrible, but not surprising .

Keep fighting! I hope you get somewhere with it!

[Chica Yeyé 41]

I was wondering what had happened since. This totally sux

Hope the ACLU and your attorney get something done soon.

Whatever happened with reaching out to the media?

[Carolyn 1]

Why the he** would he want to re-apply? And what about all the expense of coming to the US and then being sent home? Also, if he was granted a 3-year visa, why would he need to re-apply? The visas are supposed to be multi-entry, no?

Grr...certainly doesn't make me want to encourage any of my in-laws to try to come to the US!

[desert_fox 32]

I assume that the Consulate checked their computer system (IBIS, o9r whatever they call it), and his passport was clean??? If so, abuse of discretion by CBP......total jerks!!!

[S and S 12]

I'm sorry you still don't have the answers to what happened. Hopefully you do know someday soon and these guys are reprimanded for their behavior towards your FIL. I've felt bad for you and your family having to go through such a trying time. Please keep us updated on how things go.

[maggieNomar 0]

I don't buy the coming to stay and work reason - if they really thought that were true, obviously his wife would have been scheming this overstay and illegal work with him. But they let her in.

As for Casa, I can't say I'm surprised that they don't know what the hell is going on. Right hand, left hand....

So true Jenn

Thanks for the update Allousa.

Why the he** would he want to re-apply? And what about all the expense of coming to the US and then being sent home? Also, if he was granted a 3-year visa, why would he need to re-apply? The visas are supposed to be multi-entry, no?

Grr...certainly doesn't make me want to encourage any of my in-laws to try to come to the US!

Me either. Before I heard of this we were talking of bringing his mom here for a visit. Now that is on hold.

[radacos 0]

If I'm not wrong, once you are placed in expedited removal, your visa is canceled. Maybe Casa's invitation to reapply is an indirect admission that there was no reason he should have been denied entry? Call me pessimistic, but I don't think they will actually come up with an explanation.

[allousa 1]

If I'm not wrong, once you are placed in expedited removal, your visa is canceled. Maybe Casa's invitation to reapply is an indirect admission that there was no reason he should have been denied entry? Call me pessimistic, but I don't think they will actually come up with an explanation.

You know, the sad fact is that so many of us have dealt with this inept "system" for so long...that I feel EXACTLY the way you do. I know that we will be at best lucky if we ever find out the REAL reason, but I never have or never will voice my thoughts about this to Hicham and his family.

I will keep fighting for my FIL until all avenues are exhausted or until he's adamant that he wants to go no further.