Wife Denied Entry to the US

[Meatloaf n Taters 3]

*Post edited because you told us why she was sent back.*

She will probably get the tourist visa if she can prove strong ties to her country, but no visa is ever guaranteed nor is entry. Worst case scenario - she's not going to be able to visit the US with you. If she does get the visa I suggest you fly in on the same flight and try to stay close to her at immigration clearance. It will probably calm her nerves knowing you are nearby.

Asking hypotheticals about ankle monitoring or calling you to vouch for her is really irrelevant. CBP has laws and regulations to follow in conducting their jobs. So do consular officers and really every government employee. Hope you can get this worked out. I know how frustrating it is.

Yeah you're right, but it seems to help. And it's only irrelevant in that it does nothing for our particular situation, but it could prevent it from happening to others in the future. Also it's probably about as relevant as other people pointing out what we did wrong or what we could have done differently...

[Meatloaf n Taters 3]

Meatloaf n Taters:

I was in a similar position as your now wife. I came to visit my girlfriend in the US, and openly admitted to it.

I had no issue going in, it was the basic "how long are you going to stay here, where will you be staying" questions every immigrant goes through.

In your case there's two options:

1. 1 Something fishy went on such as conflicting answers, or maybe your gf didn't have a job/lease/school at home that implies her return.
   
2. 2 Your gf got unlucky and hit a CBP officer having a bad day/not very nice to begin with.
   

As others have mentioned and not to push the issue further, you came here asking for the help of the community. If people are going to help you and give their advice and experiences they need to know details about what happened. No one is trying to be nosy about your private business, as you already opened it for discussion. There's absolutely no need to be passive-aggressive towards people in the thread.

Subjectively, just reading this the whole affair "stinks". Saying you don't know why she was refused, then saying you do know. Using vague excuses such as "she was tired, etc etc" don't really add anything to the discussion. I've personally went through CBP groggy eyed and hungover without issues.

Yes, CBP can be scary and hard to understand for us inexperienced travelers. In this case it just seems fishy and you have yourself to blame. No one is going to read through this thread and come up with a sympathetic point of you and give you the benefit of the doubt.

My best suggestion is to contact the consulate and start the process with them, your wife should have no issues coming to the US on her VWP unless she has a ban for whatever reason she got denied entry. If you have some information that could be helpful and you don't want to bring it out to the open, you can also ask to PM the members who tried to help you, me included, and discuss in private. However this means your experiences will not help the next person looking for help on a similar issue, in the same way it would've helped you if you searched for it.

Guess you were a little wiser to bring documentation with you showing ties to your home country, that you would return to it. She didn't bring anything, such as her apartment lease, work contract, something saying that she was going to school at the time, that she obviously has family, etc. Me being insecure about sharing private details has passed, I'm not really sure why you're bringing it back up. Like I said, I've explained everything now to the best of my knowledge and memory. I simply said I didn't know why she was refused (if I did say that, not that I don't believe you, and please don't quote it in a post, I'm taking your word for it) just because I didn't know that it was necessary information at the time. Sorry it seems fishy. Feel free to read another thread. You know exactly everything that I know at this point. If it still feels fishy to you, welcome to my life for the past 3 years. The whole thing seemed fishy to me. I ran around the airport trying to find somebody that knew what was going on, that could explain...and it was like they knew but didn't want to tell me. Maybe you were more aware of international travel (or at least to the US, specifically) and what it entails before you went, and kudos to you for that. I guess we were a little naive about it. That would be our one and only mistake. There's nothing else that I've left out, there was no wedding dress in her luggage that I've failed to mention, we weren't honestly planning on getting married when she came (not that it matters either way, as it turns out), and we weren't deceitful or evasive or dishonest in any way.

[Meatloaf n Taters 3]

I too have seen these sort of theatrics from those who believe that they should not have to stand in line, answer any questions nor be delayed for one nanosecond because they are soooooooooooo important...(not!!)...the CBP folks have a thankless job...but an important one...and thanks largely to the scam artists and outright liars, others who may well be bona fide face difficulties sometimes...with varying degrees of success (being admitted versus being sent home)..

as I said before, no one can 'vouch' for another....whether while being admitted or being interviewed for a visa...because...no one has legal authority over the person being admitted/issued a visa, cannot force them to depart the country, nor do CBP or COs have authority over the 'voucher' to force that person to force another to comply with our laws...one's 'word' or promise has no value whatsoever..and in order to attempt to keep these processes transparent, that's the way it should be.

She might be able to go online ...and only she knows what stuff she brought in her luggage...

Still going on with the you-don't-know-the-whole-story thing? And she might be able to go online...? Right. That was informative. You didn't need to quote my post in your response.

[Boiler 45,837]

ESTA

You do not fill anything in on the plane. Pre ESTA you did but being asked the purpose of your visit would happen at the entry point.

I always used to say visiting GF. So that is not an issue in itself.

Sounds like she was allowed to withdraw her application. So no waiver needed.

[Meatloaf n Taters 3]

ESTA

You do not fill anything in on the plane. Pre ESTA you did but being asked the purpose of your visit would happen at the entry point.

I always used to say visiting GF. So that is not an issue in itself.

Sounds like she was allowed to withdraw her application. So no waiver needed.

Everytime I've come back from visiting her, I've had to fill out a card they give you during the flight...what is that card called, and isn't it essentially the same as ESTA (though probably just providing less information than ESTA)?

And what do you mean with she was allowed to withdraw her application, so no waiver needed? Thanks!

Edited - remembered what ESTA was

Edited December 14, 2012 by Meatloaf n Taters

[portalfan 1]

Guess you were a little wiser to bring documentation with you showing ties to your home country, that you would return to it. She didn't bring anything, such as her apartment lease, work contract, something saying that she was going to school at the time, that she obviously has family, etc. Me being insecure about sharing private details has passed, I'm not really sure why you're bringing it back up. Like I said, I've explained everything now to the best of my knowledge and memory. I simply said I didn't know why she was refused (if I did say that, not that I don't believe you, and please don't quote it in a post, I'm taking your word for it) just because I didn't know that it was necessary information at the time. Sorry it seems fishy. Feel free to read another thread. You know exactly everything that I know at this point. If it still feels fishy to you, welcome to my life for the past 3 years. The whole thing seemed fishy to me. I ran around the airport trying to find somebody that knew what was going on, that could explain...and it was like they knew but didn't want to tell me. Maybe you were more aware of international travel (or at least to the US, specifically) and what it entails before you went, and kudos to you for that. I guess we were a little naive about it. That would be our one and only mistake. There's nothing else that I've left out, there was no wedding dress in her luggage that I've failed to mention, we weren't honestly planning on getting married when she came (not that it matters either way, as it turns out), and we weren't deceitful or evasive or dishonest in any way.

I don't understand why you're trying to argue with me, especially based on the wrong assumption that I brought supporting documents. (I didn't, nor did I imply I did.)

I'm also not trying to quote and nitpick everything you said in this thread, I told you this is how people will approach it based on your responses, this one included.

I know you're frustrated with the situation, and if it wasn't bad enough to get doubts cast from CBP, now you have people doubting you here where you expect support. The thing is, people have to play devil's advocate to understand what's going on. By putting yourself on the aggressive side to any post that doubts the incident your SO had you lose credibility.

At the end you still ignore the helpful advice I and others have given you. You need to contact the consulate, make sure your SO isn't on a do not admit list for her incident (whatever it may be) and just come again under the VWP if possible or another visa if needed.

Good luck!

[Boiler 45,837]

Pre ESTA there were 2 forms, I94W (replaced by ESTA) and Customs Declaration. It would be the later you completed where you list what you are smuggling back in.

2 options to a denied entry, you can withdraw your application (better) or they give you the big boot in which case you would need a waiver and a visa to re-enter.

Sounds like she just needs a visa.

[Boiler 45,837]

I don't understand why you're trying to argue with me, especially based on the wrong assumption that I brought supporting documents. (I didn't, nor did I imply I did.)

I'm also not trying to quote and nitpick everything you said in this thread, I told you this is how people will approach it based on your responses, this one included.

I know you're frustrated with the situation, and if it wasn't bad enough to get doubts cast from CBP, now you have people doubting you here where you expect support. The thing is, people have to play devil's advocate to understand what's going on. By putting yourself on the aggressive side to any post that doubts the incident your SO had you lose credibility.

At the end you still ignore the helpful advice I and others have given you. You need to contact the consulate, make sure your SO isn't on a do not admit list for her incident (whatever it may be) and just come again under the VWP if possible or another visa if needed.

Good luck!

No more VWP.

[aaron2020 11,651]

I'm sorry, who did we try to evade??

You have been very evasive in answering questions from people that you requested help from.

I don't know why she was refused entry. You guys are nosy for no reason. I want what I want. Oh #######, I've been hiding why she was refused entry - I really do know. I've been lying about not knowing why she was refused entry.

Come on. How suspicious should we be now?

If this is the way you and your girlfriend are approaching this situation, no wonder she got denied.

Evasive answers only build suspicion and erodes a person's credibility. It's hard to trust someone who is evasive with answers.

If you want help, stop being so evasive and defensive.

Best of luck to you.

[Meatloaf n Taters 3]

I don't understand why you're trying to argue with me, especially based on the wrong assumption that I brought supporting documents. (I didn't, nor did I imply I did.)

I'm also not trying to quote and nitpick everything you said in this thread, I told you this is how people will approach it based on your responses, this one included.

I know you're frustrated with the situation, and if it wasn't bad enough to get doubts cast from CBP, now you have people doubting you here where you expect support. The thing is, people have to play devil's advocate to understand what's going on. By putting yourself on the aggressive side to any post that doubts the incident your SO had you lose credibility.

At the end you still ignore the helpful advice I and others have given you. You need to contact the consulate, make sure your SO isn't on a do not admit list for her incident (whatever it may be) and just come again under the VWP if possible or another visa if needed.

Good luck!

Sorry, I can't for the life of me figure out why you think I was arguing with you? I've read through what I posted in response to your post a couple of times and I don't think there's anything argumentative in there. I thought you brought documents proving your ties because you said:

1 Something fishy went on such as conflicting answers, or maybe your gf didn't have a job/lease/school at home that implies her return

It just seemed to me that since you got through with no problems, that you must have brought this documentation. Sorry for interpreting that incorrectly. Hopefully you can understand why I thought that...? I don't understand what you mean when you say my SO had me lose credibility...? And I don't know why you think I am ignoring anyone's advice. That simply isn't true.

[Meatloaf n Taters 3]

You have been very evasive in answering questions from people that you requested help from.

I don't know why she was refused entry. You guys are nosy for no reason. I want what I want. Oh #######, I've been hiding why she was refused entry - I really do know. I've been lying about not knowing why she was refused entry.

Come on. How suspicious should we be now?

If this is the way you and your girlfriend are approaching this situation, no wonder she got denied.

Evasive answers only build suspicion and erodes a person's credibility. It's hard to trust someone who is evasive with answers.

If you want help, stop being so evasive and defensive.

Best of luck to you.

There was a person earlier that said it 'didn't really matter' why she was denied entry. If it doesn't matter, I don't see the need in sharing it. If the information as far as what we needed to do would be the same, without having to share too much information, great.

I understand what you are saying. I can't say I blame you or anyone else for thinking that. But I think I've stopped being evasive and defensive. But throwing in little lines like,'If this is the way you and your girlfriend are approaching this situation, no wonder she got denied.'...is that necessary? And you wonder why I am the way that I am?

And anything that has been posted on this message board is my own doing, my wife isn't responsible for any of it. Truth be told, she really doesn't want to try going to the US again. But since I live here, we can compromise and try to visit at some point.

[Ihavequestions 419]

"Wife Denied Entry to the US"

Wife or girlfriend?

[AmyWrites 593]

There was a person earlier that said it 'didn't really matter' why she was denied entry. If it doesn't matter, I don't see the need in sharing it. If the information as far as what we needed to do would be the same, without having to share too much information, great.

I understand what you are saying. I can't say I blame you or anyone else for thinking that. But I think I've stopped being evasive and defensive. But throwing in little lines like,'If this is the way you and your girlfriend are approaching this situation, no wonder she got denied.'...is that necessary? And you wonder why I am the way that I am?

And anything that has been posted on this message board is my own doing, my wife isn't responsible for any of it. Truth be told, she really doesn't want to try going to the US again. But since I live here, we can compromise and try to visit at some point.

It does, in case you get slapped with misrepresentation or lying to the officer, this can screw you over a lot in the future.

[Noah Lot 391]

Still going on with the you-don't-know-the-whole-story thing? And she might be able to go online...? Right. That was informative. You didn't need to quote my post in your response.

sheesh...who has been evasive with information? there is NO immediate solution...whining about those mean nasty quota-filling CBP folks will not cause them to change their mind, phone your wife up and offer to fly her to the states on their dime...

bottom line: she was apparently evasive or had other damning evidence in her luggage that gave the CBP folks all they needed to say 'adios'...game over. No amount of complaining or rationalizing your point of view will change a single thing.....

her VWP privilege has been rescinded...she will need some sort of a visa to enter the US.....period. How she goes about getting it will largely be up to her (though if she pursues the immigrant visa, you would obviously have more of a role to play in getting that one done...)...as for a tourist visa, the COs will have to be thoroughly convinced that you are living in her country in a near permanent status versus some sort of transient one...otherwise they may well think that both of you will be using the B2 visa to circumvent the normal six month long processing times of the I-130 (and your pleas and promises to the contrary will fall on deaf ears, given the huge numbers of people who have made the same claim, then, moments after picking up their luggage, 'change their mind')...and that's the way it is, there is no way to change it, no congressman can affect this situation and no amount of tears will do it either.....

[san diego 407]

I do not blame CBP officer. In fact this is normal. The fact that you are already married hints that there was a great chance you would get married on VWP. In addition to the statement of fact that she is visiting her boyfriend there is something else in her answers. In any case, it will not hurt her chances for immigrant visa in the future and if you are staying in her country for her to visit US.