Australian woman, 26, who flew to Hawaii for romantic holiday with her American boyfriend ends up in JAIL on her birthday after immigration staff go through her diary

[Transborderwife 4,666]

Just now, cyberfx1024 said:

I totally agree but on average it's about a month at a time sometimes up to 2 months. Then people have to go back to work.  Not take 1-2 months vaca then after 2 months take another vaca.

Yeah I get that.  Temp work is very popular nowadays which doesn't factor well

[Cyberfx1024 7,980]

4 minutes ago, Transborderwife said:

Yeah I get that.  Temp work is very popular nowadays which doesn't factor well

Ok. I did contracting work a Few years ago and basically I worked 3 months and got 2 weeks off which was good. But I spent alot to see my now wife, kinda wish I had some of that money back.

[FutureMrs.Lacka 14]

I spent 3 months with my then boyfriend before we got engaged. I was working at a family business so it wasn't a big deal. I didn't refer to anything as my last whatever and i certainly didn't travel with a birth certificate or college transcripts or anything other than my current passport. 

[yuna628 9,716]

22 minutes ago, cyberfx1024 said:

I totally agree but on average it's about a month at a time sometimes up to 2 months. Then people have to go back to work.  Not take 1-2 months vaca then after 2 months take another vaca.

The CBP never really ever asked my husband about his job (maybe lucky?) and there were plenty of times he visited when he was either jobless or on break from his university. The last few times he managed to get off three weeks from work which was really nice. But honestly, we really don't know how people manage to visit each other so frequently and make such extended trips. We once went a couple years without visiting each other just because of the financials and wanting to save. How on earth do they get away with it? Trips like this cost money, even if you're homebodies and thrifty... 

[Transborderwife 4,666]

Here's the thing that gets me...most airlines will reschedule a ticket with a fee. Even non refundable non changeable ones.  She is complaining that Qantas won't refund her ticket and she had to pay a return $660 out of pocket

[Boiler 46,119]

4 hours ago, Dakine10 said:

   

     This young lady would have likely drawn suspicion regardless of who the president was, but as we all know, the reaction of DHS is often heavily influenced by the policies of the president. Trump was the one who took the leash off the dogs, so to speak. If we are to believe that DHS had their hands tied to a certain extent under Obama, then it's probably worth keeping in mind (for travelers) how heavy those hands may have become now that they have been 'freed'. 

 

  I don't know her intentions, and neither did DHS. Even prior to this story though,  I think it's been apparent that right now is probably not a good time to be testing the limits of immigration policy.

So very similar stories under the previous regime were heavily influenced also.

[MollyHill 18]

Hi all, 

 

I know this is old news but came across this thread and wanted to clarify some things and hopefully some points can help others travelling to visit their loved one! 

Obviously the articles that reported my story couldn't cover everything or else it would have been way too long.. I never approached the media, this was all taken from a post I wrote on my personal Facebook, which I make public only because my friends wanted to share it.

 

I know people like to be keyboard warriors but I would hope that if you're on this forum you'd have some empathy for someone just trying to visit their long-distance boyfriend, particularly during the tricky dating stage. We counted down the months to get to see each other, and I was looking forward to celebrating my birthday with him in Honolulu (a HOLIDAY destination), not stripped of all my possessions and handcuffed crying in the back of a van, not able to contact any of my family. So if you haven't experienced this then don't call me a "stupid/dumb girl". 

 

I am acutely aware of the visa options for couples in the US, but none of them suited us, at the time we had only been "Facebook official" for 2 months and I travelled within the restrictions of the Visa Waiver Program. I got into trouble for being over prepared for my holiday, and underprepared in the sense of not expecting to have to prove that I wasn't engaged, or have the Customs officers completely lie and tell me that my boyfriend had said things he hadn't. 

 

Anyway, they said I was on the wrong visa, and that I could try again on the B1/B2 Visa - which is also a 'tourist/visitor' visa, so I'm not sure why they suggested that if they didn't believe I was a tourist. It was extremely confusing, and they kept me there all day, hence missing all the flights available back to Australia. They said if I wanted to fly with the same airline as my return ticket I would have to stay in detention for 2 nights. I wanted to get out of there asap, so paid the full cost for another ticket to fly the next day. The staff were practically giving each other hi-5's for "getting me" or meeting their quota. The didn't seem well-travelled; it is very common for Australians to quit their jobs to travel - we love it! And it is not that difficult to find Marketing jobs in Melbourne. 

 

My city has been voted the world's most liveable city for a long time - trust me I had zero intentions of living elsewhere as an illegal alien. I have had a long recovery from this ordeal, but received therapy sessions free of charge (how good is free healthcare!). 

 

I also studied at University with journalism students, and I thought they might be interested in my experience, I never expected my post to blow up. And the Trump comment was tongue-in-cheek, us Australians tend to throw in some humour if you haven't noticed - if I didn't laugh at the time I would cry! It was actually the prison inmates who apologised for Trump, they have noticed first-hand the amount of detainees from the airport, including a couple on their honeymoon. 

 

I hope this helps some other couples to be prepared when travelling in the US. My boyfriend Ross moved to Australia with me a month ago on a Work and Holiday visa and I would highly recommend it, we are very welcoming. 

 

All the best for everyones' journeys x 

 

[Cyberfx1024 7,980]

1 hour ago, MollyHill said:

Hi all, 

 

I know this is old news but came across this thread and wanted to clarify some things and hopefully some points can help others travelling to visit their loved one! 

Obviously the articles that reported my story couldn't cover everything or else it would have been way too long.. I never approached the media, this was all taken from a post I wrote on my personal Facebook, which I make public only because my friends wanted to share it.

 

I know people like to be keyboard warriors but I would hope that if you're on this forum you'd have some empathy for someone just trying to visit their long-distance boyfriend, particularly during the tricky dating stage. We counted down the months to get to see each other, and I was looking forward to celebrating my birthday with him in Honolulu (a HOLIDAY destination), not stripped of all my possessions and handcuffed crying in the back of a van, not able to contact any of my family. So if you haven't experienced this then don't call me a "stupid/dumb girl". 

 

I am acutely aware of the visa options for couples in the US, but none of them suited us, at the time we had only been "Facebook official" for 2 months and I travelled within the restrictions of the Visa Waiver Program. I got into trouble for being over prepared for my holiday, and underprepared in the sense of not expecting to have to prove that I wasn't engaged, or have the Customs officers completely lie and tell me that my boyfriend had said things he hadn't. 

 

Anyway, they said I was on the wrong visa, and that I could try again on the B1/B2 Visa - which is also a 'tourist/visitor' visa, so I'm not sure why they suggested that if they didn't believe I was a tourist. It was extremely confusing, and they kept me there all day, hence missing all the flights available back to Australia. They said if I wanted to fly with the same airline as my return ticket I would have to stay in detention for 2 nights. I wanted to get out of there asap, so paid the full cost for another ticket to fly the next day. The staff were practically giving each other hi-5's for "getting me" or meeting their quota. The didn't seem well-travelled; it is very common for Australians to quit their jobs to travel - we love it! And it is not that difficult to find Marketing jobs in Melbourne. 

 

My city has been voted the world's most liveable city for a long time - trust me I had zero intentions of living elsewhere as an illegal alien. I have had a long recovery from this ordeal, but received therapy sessions free of charge (how good is free healthcare!). 

 

I also studied at University with journalism students, and I thought they might be interested in my experience, I never expected my post to blow up. And the Trump comment was tongue-in-cheek, us Australians tend to throw in some humour if you haven't noticed - if I didn't laugh at the time I would cry! It was actually the prison inmates who apologised for Trump, they have noticed first-hand the amount of detainees from the airport, including a couple on their honeymoon. 

 

I hope this helps some other couples to be prepared when travelling in the US. My boyfriend Ross moved to Australia with me a month ago on a Work and Holiday visa and I would highly recommend it, we are very welcoming. 

 

All the best for everyones' journeys x 

 

Thank you for sharing this, it certainly helps bring us your perspective on this. I say this alot because we only read and see what is printed and usually not the whole story so thank you. 

[The Nature Boy 7,659]

Yes thanks. 

 

[Dianalorena 1,153]

It goes to show, really how much the media can distort something, sensationalistic titles draw clicks.

No one but you knew what actually happened. I'm glad your boyfriend is spending time with you! 

Australia is definitely on my list of places that I want to visit. But most importantly, I just wanted to say

@MollyHill I am so sorry you had to go through this, and on top of that having your pain made public.

We certainly understand the struggles of dating someone from a different country. Hugs! 

 

 

[jayjayj 571]

7 hours ago, MollyHill said:

Hi all, 

 

I know this is old news but came across this thread and wanted to clarify some things and hopefully some points can help others travelling to visit their loved one! 

Obviously the articles that reported my story couldn't cover everything or else it would have been way too long.. I never approached the media, this was all taken from a post I wrote on my personal Facebook, which I make public only because my friends wanted to share it.

 

I know people like to be keyboard warriors but I would hope that if you're on this forum you'd have some empathy for someone just trying to visit their long-distance boyfriend, particularly during the tricky dating stage. We counted down the months to get to see each other, and I was looking forward to celebrating my birthday with him in Honolulu (a HOLIDAY destination), not stripped of all my possessions and handcuffed crying in the back of a van, not able to contact any of my family. So if you haven't experienced this then don't call me a "stupid/dumb girl". 

 

I am acutely aware of the visa options for couples in the US, but none of them suited us, at the time we had only been "Facebook official" for 2 months and I travelled within the restrictions of the Visa Waiver Program. I got into trouble for being over prepared for my holiday, and underprepared in the sense of not expecting to have to prove that I wasn't engaged, or have the Customs officers completely lie and tell me that my boyfriend had said things he hadn't. 

 

Anyway, they said I was on the wrong visa, and that I could try again on the B1/B2 Visa - which is also a 'tourist/visitor' visa, so I'm not sure why they suggested that if they didn't believe I was a tourist. It was extremely confusing, and they kept me there all day, hence missing all the flights available back to Australia. They said if I wanted to fly with the same airline as my return ticket I would have to stay in detention for 2 nights. I wanted to get out of there asap, so paid the full cost for another ticket to fly the next day. The staff were practically giving each other hi-5's for "getting me" or meeting their quota. The didn't seem well-travelled; it is very common for Australians to quit their jobs to travel - we love it! And it is not that difficult to find Marketing jobs in Melbourne. 

 

My city has been voted the world's most liveable city for a long time - trust me I had zero intentions of living elsewhere as an illegal alien. I have had a long recovery from this ordeal, but received therapy sessions free of charge (how good is free healthcare!). 

 

I also studied at University with journalism students, and I thought they might be interested in my experience, I never expected my post to blow up. And the Trump comment was tongue-in-cheek, us Australians tend to throw in some humour if you haven't noticed - if I didn't laugh at the time I would cry! It was actually the prison inmates who apologised for Trump, they have noticed first-hand the amount of detainees from the airport, including a couple on their honeymoon. 

 

I hope this helps some other couples to be prepared when travelling in the US. My boyfriend Ross moved to Australia with me a month ago on a Work and Holiday visa and I would highly recommend it, we are very welcoming. 

 

All the best for everyones' journeys x 

 

Thanks for coming on and sharing with us.

 

While I have empathy for you, it sounds like the CBP officers felt you were less than truthful with them.  They can't come on here and give their side of the story though.  I understand your explanation regarding why you were travelling with all those documents, but you should understand that in the experience of the CPB officers, people travelling with similar documents are more often than not trying to skirt immigration laws.  In fact, your own country has the same policies in place and has turned away many visitors for the exact same reason.  Just watch the TV show - Border Security: Australia's Front Line.  

[Boiler 46,119]

 

[Unlockable 7,315]

Thanks Molly for giving us your side of the story. It is just another example how great VJ is.

[MollyHill 18]

5 hours ago, Dianalorena said:

It goes to show, really how much the media can distort something, sensationalistic titles draw clicks.

No one but you knew what actually happened. I'm glad your boyfriend is spending time with you! 

Australia is definitely on my list of places that I want to visit. But most importantly, I just wanted to say

@MollyHill I am so sorry you had to go through this, and on top of that having your pain made public.

We certainly understand the struggles of dating someone from a different country. Hugs! 

 

 

Thank you @Dianalorena 😊

[MollyHill 18]

4 hours ago, jayjayj said:

Thanks for coming on and sharing with us.

 

While I have empathy for you, it sounds like the CBP officers felt you were less than truthful with them.  They can't come on here and give their side of the story though.  I understand your explanation regarding why you were travelling with all those documents, but you should understand that in the experience of the CPB officers, people travelling with similar documents are more often than not trying to skirt immigration laws.  In fact, your own country has the same policies in place and has turned away many visitors for the exact same reason.  Just watch the TV show - Border Security: Australia's Front Line.  

I have thought about all aspects of the situation every day for the past 5 months and suffered from insomnia as a result so I don’t need your extra input. 

Yes, everyone is familiar with Border Security... at least they act professionally on camera.