Problems at POE while on conditional GC

[arren 6]

Hello,

I recently had a trip to my home country together with my husband, to visit my family. We only stayed 10 days as we couldn't get more time off work.

On the way back from the trip, once we arrived at the POE, me and my husband went into separate queues as they told us citizens and aliens can't use the same queue (even though someone else later said it's ok for a citizen to go in the alien queue). He got out quickly and proceeded to go to the baggage claim and wait for me there after getting the baggage. But when my turn came, the person who checked my GC called his supervisor, discussed something with him for a bit and then gave me a red card.

Once in the red card seating area, they were quite rude to me - yelled that I couldn't touch my phone cause I might have only one call available, and didn't let me get in touch with my husband who was waiting down the stairs. After waiting for over an hour someone finally decided to talk to me and started questioning me about my marriage - stuff like showing me my husband's name and asking who this person was, then questions about how we met, when we got married, etc. I was very frustrated and annoyed because as I told them several times, my husband traveled with me and was currently waiting for me. I even showed them the boarding passes for the both of us. They still kept asking questions and taking notes, until they said I was good to go.

Afterward, my husband told me that he was worried about me not showing up and repeatedly asked the personnel at the baggage drop about me. In the end one of them made a few calls and it seems like right after the calls they let me go.

Now, I should probably give some back story about my case. While doing AOS, it seems that someone from my husband's community that wasn't happy with him marrying someone outside the community, wrote to immigration claiming our marriage was fake, so we got a visit from Homeland security who came to verify we live together, and the AOS process took over a year. However it seems that who checked our apartment was satisfied with what they saw, because we had our interview shortly after and they only asked us very easy questions and approved us right away. We did have plenty of evidence so that probably helped.

I also got a red card at the Seattle airport years ago when I was still visiting my husband before we started dating - they said I was visiting often so they thought I must be coming to work or something. However after questioning me and checking my baggage they realized it wasn't the case and let me go.

Now, what I'm wondering is: is it normal that I get this treatment at the POE after a 10 day trip? Why would they question me about my marriage when I already am a conditional resident and have been living here for a year already? What happened honestly made me scared of leaving the country again until I get my permanent GC or even citizenship.

Sorry for the wall of text and thanks for reading!

Edited May 16, 2011 by arren

[Kay-che 0]

some have been through worst!

they do it from time to time

[Neonred 3,562]

As you know, you should have stayed with your husband. There are not citizen an alien lines, they are citizen/resident and nonresident lines. You should use the line for citizens and residents(you are a resident) with your husband.

As for the green card, conditional and permanent residents are the same when entering the country. Unfortunately you are flagged so expect more of the same in the future.

[arren 6]

As you know, you should have stayed with your husband. There are not citizen an alien lines, they are citizen/resident and nonresident lines. You should use the line for citizens and residents(you are a resident) with your husband.

I actually specifically asked the person that was sorting people through the lines about going with him but they said that one line is for citizens and one for aliens, and residents still count as aliens. Even later when my husband asked again they told him he can go with me in the alien line next time, but I can't go with him in the citizen one. I did think it was weird but there were several other people with a green card in the line I was in.

Anyway, thank you for the answers! I just find it weird that you can be a resident but once you leave the country they give you trouble coming back in. It was also frustrating that they gave so many problems even though he *was* there, just in the other line, and they could have verified it easily but refused to do so.

But if this is the way it normally works I'll definitely refrain from leaving the country until citizenship because it's honestly not worth it for me.

Another thing I don't understand about being flagged is that I can see I went through problems with AOS, but once they decided to approve my petition shouldn't that un-flag me or something? Why would they give me no trouble whatsoever during the interview otherwise? Sorry but I'm a bit confused!

[Saddle Bronc 124]

I actually specifically asked the person that was sorting people through the lines about going with him but they said that one line is for citizens and one for aliens, and residents still count as aliens. Even later when my husband asked again they told him he can go with me in the alien line next time, but I can't go with him in the citizen one. I did think it was weird but there were several other people with a green card in the line I was in.

You're not the first to find out (in this case, really hard way) that Imm Officers aren't always cognisant about immigration-laws; at US airports, the lines are usually marked "residents/citizens" for GC holders and USC's, and "other" for all other cases (student, temp visa, ...). I was asked "where's the visa" once when I (at the time, holding a TN-1) returned to Atlanta from a trip to London (Gatwick).

Anyway, thank you for the answers! I just find it weird that you can be a resident but once you leave the country they give you trouble coming back in. It was also frustrating that they gave so many problems even though he *was* there, just in the other line, and they could have verified it easily but refused to do so.

But if this is the way it normally works I'll definitely refrain from leaving the country until citizenship because it's honestly not worth it for me.

Another thing I don't understand about being flagged is that I can see I went through problems with AOS, but once they decided to approve my petition shouldn't that un-flag me or something? Why would they give me no trouble whatsoever during the interview otherwise? Sorry but I'm a bit confused!

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

You have to understand that the United States if filled with people so stupid that they don't know their own job. Many of these people, who are basically unable to provide for themselves, are hired by the SSA, the DMV, and the TSA. These people have no clue.

Rule #1: Do not lose your Green Card

Rule #2: Parties who travel together stay together.

If there's a line for US citizens only and a line for visitors, you go to the visitor's line.

If there's a line for US citizens and Residents and a line for visitors, you go to the US citizen line.

If your husband is traveling with you, you both go to the line you go to. It's better to have a US citizen going into the residents and visitors line, than a resident or visitor going into the US citizens (only) line. For all practical purposes, it doesn't matter much, however. What really matters is that you stay together. Had you stayed together, nobody would have made such a spectacle at the airport, as people who have a fake marriage do not travel internationally together.

[ryna 132]

I actually specifically asked the person that was sorting people through the lines about going with him but they said that one line is for citizens and one for aliens, and residents still count as aliens. Even later when my husband asked again they told him he can go with me in the alien line next time, but I can't go with him in the citizen one. I did think it was weird but there were several other people with a green card in the line I was in.

Anyway, thank you for the answers! I just find it weird that you can be a resident but once you leave the country they give you trouble coming back in. It was also frustrating that they gave so many problems even though he *was* there, just in the other line, and they could have verified it easily but refused to do so.

But if this is the way it normally works I'll definitely refrain from leaving the country until citizenship because it's honestly not worth it for me.

Another thing I don't understand about being flagged is that I can see I went through problems with AOS, but once they decided to approve my petition shouldn't that un-flag me or something? Why would they give me no trouble whatsoever during the interview otherwise? Sorry but I'm a bit confused!

It sounds to me like you had a bit of bad luck. They can be a bit inconsistent (clueless) at POE.

But, don't feel too bad or be too worried. I've been hassled sometimes upon return and I'm a USC. I've had agents ask me stupid questions about everything under the sun and make comments about the frequency of my trips to visit my then-fiancee. That's their nature but I wouldn't let it interfere with any future travel plans.

[Darnell 8,478]

length of time outside the country doesn't matter (mostly)

but what matters is what's in the CBP computer.

You've been flagged.

Suggest, if you wish to clear the flag, to get to any CBP secondary inspection / deferred inspection office, meet up with a Human there in real time, discuss the situation.

Whilst you have a VALID green card, something wasn't updated properly(IMO) and to 'clear the flag' - you must show up in person, with all of yer documents, and USC spouse in tow.

Good Luck !

[Max1gk 68]

Now, I should probably give some back story about my case. While doing AOS, it seems that someone from my husband's community that wasn't happy with him marrying someone outside the community, wrote to immigration claiming our marriage was fake, so we got a visit from Homeland security who came to verify we live together, and the AOS process took over a year.

Arren thanks for sharing this...my soon to be wife too had a lot of friction with two jealous bitches cousins of her,that I'm sure would love to do something similar to give us more problems than the ones they've been giving us for 2 years. A good advice to keep others except for trusted immediate relatives of both the petitioner and the beneficiary, in the dark about the K1 process. Ciao e in bocca al lupo per tutto

[arren 6]

Thanks to everyone for the comments and suggestions

If I have to travel again I'll definitely go in the same queue as my husband regardless of what they say. I was probably naive in thinking it wouldn't be an issue since my husband was there anyway - next time I'll know better.

Also, thank you Darnell about the information on being flagged. Thinking about it, the officer that checked my information at first did look confused and that's why he called the supervisor and discussed for a bit. I'll definitely try to get this cleared up.

Max1gk: Grazie, in bocca a lupo anche a te We actually didn't talk much about my immigration process outside of immediate family, but we did get married in the USA so I guess the "news" got out anyway somehow. Hope you guys don't have to run into anything like that!

[Max1gk 68]

You have to understand that the United States if filled with people so stupid that they don't know their own job. Many of these people, who are basically unable to provide for themselves, are hired by the SSA, the DMV, and the TSA. These people have no clue.

AMEN to that Bob..It's even more true for those idiots that work for SSA - they kinda remind me of our post offices personel when it comes to knowing their stuff; if there's something I can't stand are multiple different answers from different individuals that belong same organization that supposedly should follow certain common laws and standards.

[katiemanny 64]

You have to understand that the United States if filled with people so stupid that they don't know their own job. Many of these people, who are basically unable to provide for themselves, are hired by the SSA, the DMV, and the TSA. These people have no clue.

Rule #1: Do not lose your Green Card

Rule #2: Parties who travel together stay together.

If there's a line for US citizens only and a line for visitors, you go to the visitor's line.

If there's a line for US citizens and Residents and a line for visitors, you go to the US citizen line.

If your husband is traveling with you, you both go to the line you go to. It's better to have a US citizen going into the residents and visitors line, than a resident or visitor going into the US citizens (only) line. For all practical purposes, it doesn't matter much, however. What really matters is that you stay together. Had you stayed together, nobody would have made such a spectacle at the airport, as people who have a fake marriage do not travel internationally together.

B.S. I came here all by myself without my wife and our marriage isn't fake. The thing is if your SO can travel with you its a plus but nothing in the book says traveling alone nationally or internationally raised red flag.

The OP probably was picked in a random interrogation at the airport, they usually do these extra search to people who travels internationally several times in one year.

[Aubrey 10]

Thanks to everyone for the comments and suggestions

If I have to travel again I'll definitely go in the same queue as my husband regardless of what they say. I was probably naive in thinking it wouldn't be an issue since my husband was there anyway - next time I'll know better.

Also, thank you Darnell about the information on being flagged. Thinking about it, the officer that checked my information at first did look confused and that's why he called the supervisor and discussed for a bit. I'll definitely try to get this cleared up.

Max1gk: Grazie, in bocca a lupo anche a te We actually didn't talk much about my immigration process outside of immediate family, but we did get married in the USA so I guess the "news" got out anyway somehow. Hope you guys don't have to run into anything like that!

My husband had a really nasty interrogation of sorts at the Seattle airport when he was just a visitor. I'm sorry that you endured that -- and glad you made it through in the end. If you think that harassment ends at citizenship, though, you've obviously forgotten about the pat-downs and groin grabbing at the security checkpoints...

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

He was saying the opposite. Of course married people travel alone sometimes - he was saying that people in fake marriages usually don't travel together on international trips. Reread it.