Can US border control type my name into their computer at entry & pull up my marriage history & see that I am married?

[misslondon 1]

Can US border control type my name in2 their computer & pull up my marriage history & see that I am married?

I am a British citizen and just got married to an American a month ago, in NY. I live in London and my husband will probably move to London instead of my moving to the US. We are still waiting to see if he got this job in London that he's been hoping for. I am going to NYC in May to visit him, I got told by a friend to make sure that I DO NOT TELL BORDER CONTROL I AM MARRIED TO AN AMERICAN because they will suspect I am trying to travel there on a tourist visa with a desire to actually stay. Of course if I was really doing that I should get a spouse visa to got the US. If they did suspect I was going on the wrong visa with a desire to stay they’ll see it as ‘Visa Fraud’ so I’m wondering...

Can border control type my name into their computer upon entry and pull up my marriage history?

I was thinking of just saying no if they ask me if I have immediate relatives in the US which is a question I usually get asked at the border. My worry is, if I say that and they pull up my records and see I AM married they will probably turn me away for lying and I will really look like visa fraud to them!

Question: Do marriages register on their system? I’m assuming t hey are pretty well informed systems with everyone’s details? Does anyone know or anyone had a similar experience?

Also, I have been to New York A LOT!!! in the last 5 years and have previously been denied work permits in the past so it doesn’t make me look good. I’m 22 years old and a little anxious about what to say at the border. Lying is not good but it seems the best bet to avoid a grilling and possible denial.

ADVICE PLEASE!

[Penny Lane 8,159]

I don't know what they can and can't see in their system.

What I do know is that lying to border patrol is a very, very, very, very bad idea.

Don't even consider it.

Bring ties to your home country to prove that you are going back and tell the truth.

Edited March 14, 2011 by Coconuts

[rodceasar 34]

I agree with the above 100%, however to answer your question, if your spouse has not filed a petition, there is no way that they would know if you are married or not!

[A&F 0]

My sister (a US citizen) got married to UK citizen less than a year ago and he's never been denied entrance on all his trips here. They even got married here and he told immigration the truth which is that he was coming to get married but was returning to his job in less than 1month (they both now live in London). What will prob happen is that they will pull you to the side and ask A LOT of questions. But if you have proof of ties to your country like a letter from your boss saying he's expecting you back to work on 00/00/0000 and you tell them your husband is currently planning a move to the UK you should be fine.

[Krikit 1,165]

Like the others say.... don't lie. At the intial Customs/Immigration desk all they see is the biographical data when they swipe your passport. If you're sent to secondary they have access to all kinds of things, including the ability to search your belongings. You're not doing anything wrong. Just answer confidently and truthfully and bring your ties. The link I've included below has some good information.

Visitation FAQ's

Moving from K-1 Process to Tourist Visas.

[Little_My 464]

100% agree with all that has been said before. If you were asked a direct question (i.e. "are you married" or "do you have close relatives in the US") and you point blank lie and get caught of that lie, that will be a mistake that won't be so easy to shake. It'll be misrepresentation, they will deny entry, it will stay on your file and if you ever want to apply for a residence permit in the US, that lie could seriously harm the process. Even though you are now planning to reside in the UK, you want to keep your options opened for the future. So, as all the others have said before me, DO NOT lie. Be prepared to prove ties to UK, tell the truth, hope for the best.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

I asked CBP the guy checking me in at the airport. "So what do you see on that computer about me? Do you know I have a British fiance? Do you know there has been a petition filed?" He said "No. We have overstays, denied entries, suspected terrorists and bad guys." Pack appropriately for a short visit, meaning don't bring 50 pairs of shoes, your entire CD collection, and kitchen utensils...which might make it look like you were moving in if they happened to choose your luggage to search. I know a lot of people go into great detail when asked the standard "What is the purpose of your visit?" (when I was entering the UK). I always thought the answer they wanted was business or pleasure. So I always said "pleasure" or "I'm on holiday" and they always went on to "how long are you staying?" I never considered that I was lying or hiding something. I thought business or pleasure was what they wanted to know.

[John+Lourdelie 28]

I agree with all the people that are agreeing with what others are agreeing to.

John

[Jojo92122 1,924]

I was thinking of just saying no if they ask me if I have immediate relatives in the US which is a question I usually get asked at the border. My worry is, if I say that and they pull up my records and see I AM married they will probably turn me away for lying and I will really look like visa fraud to them!

It is fraud. You are lying to gain entry into the US.

Lying is not good but it seems the best bet to avoid a grilling and possible denial.

ADVICE PLEASE!

Lying is also a great way to get a lifetime ban from the US. If you get caught, the consequences will be severe. Is a single trip worth it?

Just tell the damn truth that you are married to a US citizen. Bring supporting documents showing your ties to the US; a job, banking accounts, etc.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

You don't have to volunteer information, but if you are directly asked a question, you shouldn't lie, and I'll tell you why.

If for some reason they pull you into what's known as secondary inspection, it will be on record linked to your personal data for as long as computers have a memory, as will be anything you say. If you say something that's not true, just to get out of there or to be let into the US, it would be misrepresentation, most likely material misrepresentation. Material if they had not let you enter had they known the truth. The punishment for material misrepresentation is a lifetime ban from the US of A.

That's such a high risk, that telling the truth seems to be the more viable strategy.

Edited March 15, 2011 by Just Bob

[Harsh_77 718]

your friends idea of lieing to an officer is a BAD one, never do it you can be held liable for mis-representation.

If you really dont have a need to visit your husband in May then wait-out until you see if he is getting a job in Londond or not.

as you said you have previous work permit denial and on top if you are caught with mis-representation would be make your case a complicated one.

[misslondon 1]

I don't know what they can and can't see in their system.

What I do know is that lying to border patrol is a very, very, very, very bad idea.

Don't even consider it.

Bring ties to your home country to prove that you are going back and tell the truth.

Thanks, i intend to bring evidence of living in london and of my intentions to return, they just always give me a hard time getting in, because i travel ALOT and they always ask em how i can afford to do so and at such a young age. they always ask if i'm working, and i get nervouse because an entrance denial on my passport will just hinder all my other future visits. they gave me such a hard time when i was just a regular tourist, now that i am married i feel like it will get worse... thanks for ur comment though! Appreciate it!

I agree with the above 100%, however to answer your question, if your spouse has not filed a petition, there is no way that they would know if you are married or not!

Really? great! that is what i was hoping would be the case. Do you mind me asking, do you know this from experience? A lawyer? the internet or word of mouth? Thanks for your input, Appreciate the advice!

[misslondon 1]

My sister (a US citizen) got married to UK citizen less than a year ago and he's never been denied entrance on all his trips here. They even got married here and he told immigration the truth which is that he was coming to get married but was returning to his job in less than 1month (they both now live in London). What will prob happen is that they will pull you to the side and ask A LOT of questions. But if you have proof of ties to your country like a letter from your boss saying he's expecting you back to work on 00/00/0000 and you tell them your husband is currently planning a move to the UK you should be fine.

Thanks for your advice! Yes i'm preparing myself for being asked a ton of question, i applied for a foreign media work permit in dec and when i visit in jan they asked me soooo many questios, they took me aside to another room. luckily i convinced them i was not goign to work and i was going to return to london. but now with the work permit denial.... (2 work permit denial because i tried again with more paperwork and they just said i was young needed to get a degree them apply for a work mermit because i just wan't qualified).... plus the marriage i was worried i would just look suspicious. that's why i thought not telling them i was married would help my case.. Again thanks for your real life example!

[misslondon 1]

Like the others say.... don't lie. At the intial Customs/Immigration desk all they see is the biographical data when they swipe your passport. If you're sent to secondary they have access to all kinds of things, including the ability to search your belongings. You're not doing anything wrong. Just answer confidently and truthfully and bring your ties. The link I've included below has some good information.

Visitation FAQ's

Moving from K-1 Process to Tourist Visas.

That's what i thought, i've been sent to secondary before, for questions about why i was visiting, (and that was when i wasn't married!) and i thought the same thing, they may possibly be able to pull up all kinds of info about my life and records. Just wanted to know for sure, just telling them i have no ties in the US seems like i would help my case so much, to avoid a possble denial or just to stop any chances of increased suspicion, i thought why not just not tell them. but really thinking about if that's a good idea now.

Thank you!

[misslondon 1]

100% agree with all that has been said before. If you were asked a direct question (i.e. "are you married" or "do you have close relatives in the US") and you point blank lie and get caught of that lie, that will be a mistake that won't be so easy to shake. It'll be misrepresentation, they will deny entry, it will stay on your file and if you ever want to apply for a residence permit in the US, that lie could seriously harm the process. Even though you are now planning to reside in the UK, you want to keep your options opened for the future. So, as all the others have said before me, DO NOT lie. Be prepared to prove ties to UK, tell the truth, hope for the best.

Thanks so much!