UK Border Force told US woman to go home because visit was 'non essential'

[Boiler 45,956]

An American woman who travelled to the UK to help her heavily pregnant daughter has claimed she was told to go back to the US by border officials at Heathrow on the grounds that her journey was not “essential”.

The 63-year-old woman, who had flown in from Washington DC on Monday, said she was reduced to tears by the hostile experience at passport control.

“I was so upset that I couldn’t help but start crying,” said Yoshie Rymar. “The agent told me to go to the ticketing counter to get a return ticket and go back to US. I couldn’t believe what I heard, and I didn’t know what to do.”

The Japanese-born American citizen had visited her daughter on numerous occasions before and did not expect to be rejected.

“When I got in the line at the passport control section, there was a very good-looking lady in front of me whose process was quick. So I expected the same way when my turn came. However, I was wearing a black-knit cap, glasses and a mask to protect myself. I was told to take those off because it was hard for us to communicate. He was irritated by my request to repeat his question.

“I explained how my daughter needed me because of her pregnancy and toddler. There was an agent next to him who was talking loud and my hearing was not so great, he was pretty irritated again. So he said to me, ‘How can you take care of your daughter if you can’t hear well?’ I thought it was a very harsh comment and I resented this rude remark.”

She was asked if she had been tested for coronavirus and was then refused entry. She was not given a reason other than the official making it clear her journey was “non-essential”, her daughter said.

Colin Yeo, an immigration barrister, said as far as he was aware there was no requirement in law to demonstrate a journey was essential before legal entry to the UK.

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/apr/16/us-woman-refused-entry-uk-visit-pregnant-daughter

[yuna628 9,700]

This has happened for years at the UK border. I thought it was a given that US citizens shouldn't be flying out now anyway.

[Burnt Reynolds 5,058]

Even though there seems like more unknown legal basis for blocking this woman, like any country/nation they have every right to protect their borders, ports of entry, etc., and that means making judgement calls like this. 

 

Gotta say though, it would be tough for me to deny the mother who made a kid that looks like this:

 

[TBoneTX 45,963]

2 hours ago, yuna628 said:

This has happened for years at the UK border.

Yanqui Colonist go home.

[yuna628 9,700]

Just now, TBoneTX said:

Yanqui Colonist go home.

That is actually the attitude of some. Key usually is, if you are a woman and alone don't try it unless you come with a lot of evidence, and even then you might not get in, and if you're American they'll be real smug about it. If you bring your man with you though you usually have a good chance albeit with stern looks.

[TBoneTX 45,963]

49 minutes ago, yuna628 said:

if you're American they'll be real smug about it.

I'd just tell them, "This Yankee invasion is payback for what you guys did to us in the 1770s -- but don't worry; I'll leave voluntarily."

[millefleur 5,047]

Is watching a grand child also considered "work" in the UK? Wonder if she would have been turned away regardless of the virus.

[Boiler 45,956]

48 minutes ago, millefleur said:

Is watching a grand child also considered "work" in the UK? Wonder if she would have been turned away regardless of the virus.

Well Child Care is paid in the UK.

[TBoneTX 45,963]

6 hours ago, Boiler said:

Well Child Care

What about sick child care?

[sl1pstream 551]

She had zero knowledge about the person in front of her, who could've been a UK citizen. 

 

I don't see why they should let her in, considering that the US has the highest number of cases in the West and isn't letting people in either.