Why do people get rejected on the US border?

[nastja 0]

Hello there!

I have never traveled to the US before, but I'm experiencing it this summer. And since it's a quite long trip - few days less than 3 months, I'm worried about being rejected on the US border. I'm visiting my boyfriend who lives in Missouri, therefore I won't have to stay in hotels. I practically won't need any money, but of course I'm going to take some with me - you never know what happens they say.

My first stop is Atlanta, Georgia, and as far as I'm concerned I will have to go through some immigration process. I don't really know how that looks like, so I'd be really glad if someone told me some things about that as well. How much money do you think I need to have with me, so they won't say it's not enough and claim that as a reason for me being rejected and sent back home. I want to be completely prepared for whatever that could possibly happen in the immigration office, because one; I don't wanna spend a night in custody and two; I didn't just spend 1000 dollars for my flight ticket, so they will send me home without seeing my boyfriend.

Maybe I'm just watching Zone Reality too much, but I'm really really afraid of being denied and put on the first plane back home.

Thanks guys for all the help.

[Barbara J 115]

Hello there!

I have never traveled to the US before, but I'm experiencing it this summer. And since it's a quite long trip - few days less than 3 months, I'm worried about being rejected on the US border. I'm visiting my boyfriend who lives in Missouri, therefore I won't have to stay in hotels. I practically won't need any money, but of course I'm going to take some with me - you never know what happens they say.

My first stop is Atlanta, Georgia, and as far as I'm concerned I will have to go through some immigration process. I don't really know how that looks like, so I'd be really glad if someone told me some things about that as well. How much money do you think I need to have with me, so they won't say it's not enough and claim that as a reason for me being rejected and sent back home. I want to be completely prepared for whatever that could possibly happen in the immigration office, because one; I don't wanna spend a night in custody and two; I didn't just spend 1000 dollars for my flight ticket, so they will send me home without seeing my boyfriend.

Maybe I'm just watching Zone Reality too much, but I'm really really afraid of being denied and put on the first plane back home.

Thanks guys for all the help.

Well I have been through Atlanta 3 times now and never had a problem. They did not ask me how much money I had. All they asked the first time was who I was visiting and the address which you have to put on I94w on plane,(what will be the address you are staying at). Never had a problem I came to visit my now husband and they said have a nice trip and welcome to USA. We all have to go through immigration at international airports. You will follow the line for visitors go to the officer and he will take your picture and take your fingerprints look at your passport and stamp it. Second customs officer may ask you what and who you are visiting, just be honest and tell them your boyfriend and know his address if asked. They are not there to scare you just doing their job. And if you are nice to them and polite they will be the same. Atlanta is a big airport so be prepared to walk lol

[villaspurs 65]

I would bring evidence of ties to your home country, especially since you are staying for so long (lease for your residence, letter from employer, etc.) as well as a copy of your itinerary showing you have a flight home booked. Staying with your boyfriend may raise suspicion that you are going to try to stay and get married, so you want to show them you'll be heading back home before your waiver expires! Also, if they ask you if you are visiting your boyfriend, don't lie--it's easy to panic and do so. If they catch you in a lie--even down the road--that is material misrepresentation and can mean a lifetime ban from the U.S. It's rare, so I wouldn't worry about this at all, but I mention it only so you are prepared if you do get pulled into interrogation you don't make a mistake that you'll have to pay for in the long term!

Good luck, and I hope you have a wonderful visit!

[nastja 0]

Well I have a return ticket, and I'm leaving six days before my waiver expires.

Of yourse I'm planning on telling them I'm visiting my boyfriend, maybe I could also mention he's visiting me too during his Christmas break next year (We've already planned that out). Would that help, at least a little bit?

God, I just hope I don't get all nervous, because that would look hella suspicious

[Deputy Purple 1,294]

Well I have a return ticket, and I'm leaving six days before my waiver expires.

That's pretty weak for ties to home country...

How about a letter from either employer or school stating they expect your return or a lease that goes beyond your visit here.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

Did you already file for a K-1 visa? If so, is your fiance okay with you visiting your boyfriend?

[nastja 0]

Just Bob, that was a mistake in my profile. I didn't know how to fix it, but I figured it now.

We haven't filed for K-1 yet, we probably won't till we see each other at least twice and have a bunch of evidence.

[canadian_wife 1,822]

I was denied twice. Once for not having enough ties to Canada and once for presumed immigrant intent (married to a US citizen)

Good luck

[nastja 0]

I see. Thanks for sharing your experiences with me.

I gotta get some evidence of ties to my country then. I'm applyin to college in March, but sadly I won't know if I'm accepted until the middle of July. I will try to contact colleges I'm applying to and get their letters, maybe that'll help.

Edited January 22, 2011 by nastja

[Harsh_77 718]

Unfortunately - just a return ticket and admission in the college is not strong enough ties for not being rejected. You need evidence of your current lease agreement where u living - showing u still have a place to live in your home country. Letter from your employeer you are employed with them and you will be returning back home after vacation.

You bank account details including balance to show you have enough funds back home to live comfortably, your family ties etc. would be considered as strong ties to your home country.

You did not mention wht your age was, but your age and you being single means you need strong evidence that you will return to your home country after your trip and why you would not stay in US.

Your plan of your bf visting you in next christmas - as per me immigration officer would not be intered in knowing it(that plan can be canclled anytime)

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Every country is different. A person from a VWP country should not, in most cases, need to bring bank details etc. OP - The CPB will probably just say have a nice trip and that's all. You are a student traveling. It happens all the time. I can't guarantee you'll be admitted obviously, but don't worry too much.

[Krikit 1,164]

This specifically mentions K-1 beneficiaries but it's applicable to all:

Visitation FAQ's

[nastja 0]

Thank you so much. I will definitely try to get as much evidence as possible. I don't want to get denied at the border, not being able to see my boyfriend for the first time, and less important, but still, losing thousand dollars.

Edited January 24, 2011 by nastja

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

Thank you so much. I will definitely try to get as much evidence as possible. I don't want to get denied at the border, not being able to see my boyfriend for the first time, and less important, but still, losing thousand dollars.

I understand that you haven't filed for the K-1 yet, but you are still engaged to a US citizen and thus have a finance in the US, correct?

So doesn't your finance have a problem with you visiting your boyfriend, even if it's for the first time? Isn't there a conflict of interest here, or do you guys have a real open relationship?

[nastja 0]

I think we misunderstood, because I'm not engaged ;D I only have a boyfriend which happens to be the US citizen and he's the one I'm visiting this summer.