Engagement ring at POE

[SCFsnoopy 0]

I am going to the US to visit my fiance in 10 days, and was wondering if wearing my engagement ring will cause any extra concerns at POE? Has anyone else worn their ring through POE and was it a problem?

I had a really rough time getting through POE in Anchorage last year because I had a USC boyfriend (not engaged back then) and not a lot of money... they were really trying to pin something on me and I only *just* scraped through. I'm worried that they will have notes of that under my name so even though I have a copy of our NOA1 I don't want to invite any questions if I can avoid it

I do have plenty of money and proof of ties this time - full time contract/employer letter stating I will be back at work, letter from landlord to say I will be owing rent on my return, a schedule of a training program I am currently enrolled in at work to say I'm due for an assesment shortly after I'm due back, return ticket, proof that someone is caring for my dog and I'm expected back...

But just wanted to double check If it looks like it will be an issue I'm just going to leave the ring at home. I bought it for myself after our webcam proposal and I think he's planning a "surprise" second proposal with a new ring once I get there, so I may not need mine

[canadian_wife 1,822]

It sounds like last time you just 'sraped through' because you lacked significant ties to your home country and not because you were dating a USC. If you are engaged and have filed the K-1, why not wear the ring? There is nothing illegal about being engaged, besides, it sounds like you have LOTS of ties this time so you should be fine!

Good luck.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Exactly. Definitely bring a copy of the K-1 application as evidence of your intent, bring your ties to home, and say you are visiting your fiance to such and such a date. You should be fine.

[mamaSue 38]

If it's worrying you......

Can't you just take the ring off for 15 minutes while you come through immigration??

I would.... it's just one thing less to stress about!

[Kathryn41 3,205]

But she is visiting her fiancee - if she is asked she needs to say that or it could be considered misrepresentation. Sure she could take the ring off, but it sounds like she feels a need to hide something and that attitude might affect her demeanor when questioned. Far better to be confident, wear the ring, answer the questions and not think that there is something to hide. She has the evidence of the relationship, the USCIS K-1 visa application, and her ties to home.

Edited August 12, 2009 by Kathryn41

[SCFsnoopy 0]

But she is visiting her fiancee - if she is asked she needs to say that or it could be considered misrepresentation. Sure she could take the ring off, but it sounds like she feels a need to hide something and that attitude might affect her demeanor when questioned. Far better to be confident, wear the ring, answer the questions and not think that there is something to hide. She has the evidence of the relationship, the USCIS K-1 visa application, and her ties to home.

Exactly, if they took me into secondary they'd search my bag anyway so no point taking the ring off but having it in my handbag, that would probably look really suspicious. And you're right about scraping through the last time - I was very naive about the whole POE experience and simply wasn't prepared for their interrogation, but a USC boyfriend certainly didn't help matters (although they didn't even find that out until I was in secondary already). I'm thankful that I genuinely had no intent to immigrate (and at that point, no intent to even get married!) and I was obviously able to communicate that.

Anyway, it turns out that Jesse sucks at keeping surprises, well, a surprise, and he told me today that there's a new ring waiting there for me. I figure I'll just leave mine at home in that case. If they ask I'll say I'm visiting my fiance and show them the NOA1, but here's hoping for no drama - I want to make my connecting flight this time!

[David & Hristina 2]

A new ring?

Very Nice!!!!

[Nik+Heather 121]

Sounds great!! That's one thing that this whole process takes out of the romance - the spontaneity...Can only get the ring when you're there in person (usually) so easy to predict/anticipate. Plus, you have to be pretty sure it's going somewhere to even continue...

Oh well. I guess when I'm married for decades I won't mind so much that I wasn't surprised by my marriage proposal.

[SCFsnoopy 0]

Sounds great!! That's one thing that this whole process takes out of the romance - the spontaneity...Can only get the ring when you're there in person (usually) so easy to predict/anticipate. Plus, you have to be pretty sure it's going somewhere to even continue...

Oh well. I guess when I'm married for decades I won't mind so much that I wasn't surprised by my marriage proposal.

Funny thing is, he's actually breaking family tradition by buying me a ring Turns out that not only my mother, but his mother and his grandmother all bought their own engagement/wedding rings. What are the odds of two families from different sides of the world having something so specific in common?

I actually was surprised when he asked me to marry him in April - marriage wasn't something we'd talked about much (it's a bit of a delicate issue for him). So even if the "real" proposal isn't a surprise at least the original one was

Edited August 13, 2009 by SCFsnoopy