my GF got yanked at Seattle airport and sent back to Thailand

[Mollie09 1,543]

Do you have a link to this?

I am going by this :https://www.uscis.gov/working-united-states/students-and-exchange-visitors/students-and-employment/special-instructions-b-1b-2-visitors-who-want-enroll-school

Yes, the DOS

https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/visit/visitor.html#overview

"enrollment in a short recreational course of study, not for credit toward a degree (for example, a two-day cooking class while on vacation)"

Also, this:

http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/getting-us-visa-short-recreational-part-time-study-course.html

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

The length of time was too long. Most people can't take that much vacation. Obviously not much keeping her in Thailand.

[Pennycat 880]

Do you have a link to this?

I am going by this :https://www.uscis.gov/working-united-states/students-and-exchange-visitors/students-and-employment/special-instructions-b-1b-2-visitors-who-want-enroll-school

If it's more for fun or personal enrichment-- not leading toward a degree or worth any sort of transferable credits-- basically not an academic class, it's fine.

https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/visit/visitor.html

Under "Travel Purposes Not Permitted On Tourist Visas" they mention studying but then specifically state that short courses, non-degrees are fine.

This is the difference in how my husband has been able to take English classes at a community center while AOS is pending but would not be able to be in an ESL class at the local college.

[IcezMan_IcezLady 582]

Yes, the DOS

https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/visit/visitor.html#overview

"enrollment in a short recreational course of study, not for credit toward a degree (for example, a two-day cooking class while on vacation)"

Also, this:

http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/getting-us-visa-short-recreational-part-time-study-course.html

Gotcha! Thanks for clarifying that.

If it's more for fun or personal enrichment-- not leading toward a degree or worth any sort of transferable credits-- basically not an academic class, it's fine.

https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/visit/visitor.html

Under "Travel Purposes Not Permitted On Tourist Visas" they mention studying but then specifically state that short courses, non-degrees are fine.

This is the difference in how my husband has been able to take English classes at a community center while AOS is pending but would not be able to be in an ESL class at the local college.

Got it.. Thanks.

[Unidentified 2,930]

To answer all, we do plan to marry. This trip was for her to travel and study english. I had set up a school for her to start this week. We would look into what paper work needed to marry while here. At the time I did not know anything about a K1 visa. She was planning to go back home after the 5 months. Knowing now about the K1 it would have been easier to have her here to get the information needed. Now that she is 8600 miles away it makes it more difficult. The last thing we would want was for her to be here illeagaly as she wants to work in a professianal environment.

So she came here on the wrong visa. Should have been a student visa. Sure some classes doesn't require it but depending on what she said to CBP he/she might have felt she needed a student visa. And you lied to CBP by saying she's your fiance when in fact she's only your girlfriend. CBP were not being #######, you guys were not being smart about all this. So many people call CBP bad names when in fact they're just doing their jobs of making sure people don't come here on the wrong visas.

[N and J 88]

So she came here on the wrong visa. Should have been a student visa. Sure some classes doesn't require it but depending on what she said to CBP he/she might have felt she needed a student visa. And you lied to CBP by saying she's your fiance when in fact she's only your girlfriend. CBP were not being #######, you guys were not being smart about all this. So many people call CBP bad names when in fact they're just doing their jobs of making sure people don't come here on the wrong visas.

I wouldn't want the job of a CBP for all the money in the world. That cannot be an easy job at all. No one is ever happy coming through customs lol....add the questions in after a long flight...Yeah it doesn't make for a self-esteem lifting job lol

[Rc123rc 528]

I wouldn't want the job of a CBP for all the money in the world. That cannot be an easy job at all. No one is ever happy coming through customs lol....add the questions in after a long flight...Yeah it doesn't make for a self-esteem lifting job lol

I 2nd that. Cranky, nervous passengers being asked important questions is not a good combination. I wonder if Interviewing Officer overseas is any better?

[N and J 88]

I 2nd that. Cranky, nervous passengers being asked important questions is not a good combination. I wonder if Interviewing Officer overseas is any better?

LOL no you get cranky nervous people on the other end too haha. I wouldn't want any job having to do with immigration. It is such a touchy topic and so many rules and regulations that have to be followed...Yet they get yelled at, lied to, when I was at JFK one was spit on (that person was taken away in handcuffs lol).

[Unidentified 2,930]

LOL no you get cranky nervous people on the other end too haha. I wouldn't want any job having to do with immigration. It is such a touchy topic and so many rules and regulations that have to be followed...Yet they get yelled at, lied to, when I was at JFK one was spit on (that person was taken away in handcuffs lol).

Oh wow! That is horrible!

Only not fun experience I've ever had was first time I came to America in 2011 at Newark. That man was grumpy...

All the other times I've arrived at Dulles International. They are super friendly, joking and just awesome. They make me want to work for CBP but only if I can work at Dulles. Other places sounds horrible lol.

[Rc123rc 528]

LOL no you get cranky nervous people on the other end too haha. I wouldn't want any job having to do with immigration. It is such a touchy topic and so many rules and regulations that have to be followed...Yet they get yelled at, lied to, when I was at JFK one was spit on (that person was taken away in handcuffs lol).

I would think so. I guess the person that did the spitting wasn't granted admission. Did they really think that would help them or allow them entry some time in the future?

[N and J 88]

Oh wow! That is horrible!

Only not fun experience I've ever had was first time I came to America in 2011 at Newark. That man was grumpy...

All the other times I've arrived at Dulles International. They are super friendly, joking and just awesome. They make me want to work for CBP but only if I can work at Dulles. Other places sounds horrible lol.

JFK is pretty cool. They are a little sarcastic but I guess it is in good fun. Atlanta wasn't too fun.

[NikLR 13,227]

Some are friendly, some are not. Ya know, like normal people.

[PostOakGuy 13]

She had a visitor visa and had been here 2 times prior. This time her ticket was to stay 5.5 months. I get a call from immigration when she landed in Seattle asking me if I'm expecting a visitor tonight? who it is? how long I knew her? etc. I ask him what this is about and he tells me I am not to ask questions, he will ask the questions! He than goes on to tell me they are screening for terrorists! At this time I'm freaking out as she is nothing of the kind! He asks me if I am her fiancé (I am not but we intend to live together someday) I tell him yes. He asks if we are going to get married,I tell him yes. He asks when, I tell him don't know. I am answering all this because I'm thinking it must be "quota" time and he needed to pull someone and I did not want her to be suspected of a terrorist. The guy was a complete a..hole the whole time. I'm looking at the clock and ask if she will get on the plane as she has 7 minutes, he tells me not to worry about the plane. Tells me to be by phone in case anymore questions. I don't hear back and go to the airport to pick her up and she's not there! check with airline and she is not registered! I call Seattle immigration and they say they are sending her back to Thailand and I need a K1 visa for her.

They have taken her visa!

My question is will this affect us getting her a K1 visa?

Thx

The only reason they sent her home was because she was trying to stay 5.5 months on a B2 with her Fiancee. They called you to confirm that with you and succeeded.

[Transborderwife 4,666]

The only reason they sent her home was because she was trying to stay 5.5 months on a B2 with her Fiancee. They called you to confirm that with you and succeeded.

It's a little assuming to say that it's the only reason. But it certainly didn't hurt

[PostOakGuy 13]

I work for CBP, I know how the system works.