airport nightmare due to I-751

[baunzerbrudi 0]

Hi, this is what happened to me recently. I am not sure if the events were due to an issue with my case or the general attitude of the border agents in question. Any comments are appreciated.

I flew to Germany for 4 weeks to visit my parents. Upon return, my conditional greencard was still valid for 13 days. I also had my extension letter. When entering the US in Minneapolis, the border agent forwned at my card and said it would expire. I handed her the extension letter. she asked why I had been gone and for how long. I answered truthfully. I also mentioned that I had been in Germany for 2 weeks in May (3 months prior) due to a family emergency. She asked me what my job was and then sent me to secondary inspection. The secondary room did not have anyone in it. When I saw an officer, I asked what to do (wait, etc). She just said to pull a number. This I did. Other people were sent to secondary and got the same answer. The atmosphere was quite hostile. When someone asked questions the supervising officer squinted her eyes and told people that this was America and they were knocking on "our doors". I overheard numerous discussions where the officer told people they were lying or had lost their permanent residency due to absence which the people denied. also, some visa waiver people were in secondary, asked questions and then sent on. Finally, someone called my number. I answered questions on what I brought in (alcohol etc). Then I was asked to bring in my luggage. They took it from me and went into another room. Half an hour later three officers questioned me on why I had a seal stamp in my bag (I am a translator and have a stamp for my translations). When I said so they told me not to get an attitude. I remained friendly when they asked me about my wife and where I was going. My connecting flight was not home but to another city where I had a job interview. I explained this and they proceeded to ask for my wife's phone number. They then called her in a backroom. Upon return the officer told me he felt I was not telling the truth and left. Then an hour later he returned and told me he had determined that uscis is responsible fo determining the purpose of my marriage and I was free to go but would have to expect an interview on my I-751.

What could have triggered this nightmare? I have never encountered openly hostile border people. Before, they had always been friendly and professional (different airports!). The entire place in Minneapolis seemed aggressive, demeaning and strange. Also, why do border agents question the validity of my marriage? I had avalid greencard and extension letter in hand and was under the impression that the border agents just check that, not how it was obtained!

Edited August 31, 2007 by baunzerbrudi

[tweety 1]

wow, what a nightmare!

If I was you, I would eventually look into the possibility to file a complaint.

[baunzerbrudi 0]

Well, would that have any effect? Technically they did not do anything wrong I believe (nothing that would warrant official action) but simply hassled me. I am more curious as to why this happened and why the entire staff was showing clear disrespect towards travellers! Maybe a small airport issue or a bad supervisor setting a bad example?

[RichardS 0]

Sorry to hear about your problem(s)! What a discouraging situation that you encountered! Hope all goes well from this point forward! Keep us posted!

[Jasman0717 9]

Wow, what ####### File a complaint!

[Peter T 0]

I flew to Germany for 4 weeks to visit my parents. Upon return, my conditional greencard was still valid for 13 days. I also had my extension letter. When entering the US in Minneapolis, the border agent forwned at my card and said it would expire. I handed her the extension letter. (...)

She asked me what my job was and then sent me to secondary inspection. The secondary room did not have anyone in it. When I saw an officer, I asked what to do (wait, etc). She just said to pull a number. This I did. Other people were sent to secondary and got the same answer. The atmosphere was quite hostile. (...)

Finally, someone called my number. I answered questions on what I brought in (alcohol etc). Then I was asked to bring in my luggage. They took it from me and went into another room. Half an hour later three officers questioned me on why I had a seal stamp in my bag (I am a translator and have a stamp for my translations). When I said so they told me not to get an attitude. I remained friendly when they asked me about my wife and where I was going. My connecting flight was not home but to another city where I had a job interview. I explained this and they proceeded to ask for my wife's phone number. They then called her in a backroom. Upon return the officer told me he felt I was not telling the truth and left. Then an hour later he returned and told me he had determined that uscis is responsible fo determining the purpose of my marriage and I was free to go but would have to expect an interview on my I-751.

What could have triggered this nightmare? (...) Also, why do border agents question the validity of my marriage? I had avalid greencard and extension letter in hand and was under the impression that the border agents just check that, not how it was obtained!

I live in the Twin Cities and have entered through Minneapolis airport many times. I haven't experieced such treatment yet and was only once sent to the passport check when my Green Card had expired and I travelled with extension letter. My luggage was not checked there. Why they send you to the passport check while your Green Card was still valid for 13 days, I don't know, but in principle, officers at the borders have pretty wide liberties to investigate people coming in and their documents. Maybe something in your answers raised a red flag (not your fault) and the officers decided to investigate further.

The passport check in Minneapolis is not friendly, but that didn't surprise me, because they investigate and question all kinds of immigrants and papers there, some of which might indeed have no business entering the US. But we know that our papers are in order - I remember the place just as slow and boring. I don't know if the borders' officer can add a remark to your file "suspicious, should be interviewed", but they are not the ones to decide if you're getting interviewed.

[baunzerbrudi 0]

Well, I understand they needn't be friendly but every other airport I have come through has been professional. Maybe the crew had to stay late due to flight being delayed and was already aggravated. The 4 hour wait and humiliating attitude are what bothered me... especially since I had a straightforward and valid gc with me!

[Mononoke28 135]

You just had bad luck that day. My mother had to go through the same thing at the Houston airport and she was a USC! Granted, she has an accent when she speaks Spanish but that was still unacceptable. Some times these airport people are full of it and don't know what to do to make their job more exciting than to pick on others.

Diana

[Ta Ta 1]

Unbelievable !

[mawilson 2,133]

Wow, what a nightmare.

Please keep us posted.

[Hamster Mom 0]

Your name is similar with a terrorist? My boss is a USC but he originally came from Israel, he had the same experience twice for his common name.

[miri 0]

What a truly awful experience -- I've encountered rude, hostile immigration officials before but this is unbelievable!!! I would definitely complain. I'd also write a letter to your congressperson -- people who are legally here shouldn't have to deal with this sort of hostility.

When I came in through Philadelphia with my expired GC and extension letter, I was sent to secondary inspection and the officials there seemed to be confused as to why I didn't have an I-551 stamp in my passport -- I told them that Boston doesn't do this if you have the extension letter (they didn't get this, I had to explain twice) and they then told me to wait while they checked everything. About 10 minutes later they seemed satisfied that everything was in order and I was allowed to go to the luggage hall. Coming through Boston, on the other hand, was a breeze -- I suspect that the GC+extension letter thing is a fairly common occurrence there due to the delays at the dear old VSC...

I hope your 10 year GC arrives soon!!!

[Dakine 26]

Then an hour later he returned and told me he had determined that uscis is responsible fo determining the purpose of my marriage and I was free to go but would have to expect an interview on my I-751.

This is one reason you have to continue to be a wimp and kiss butte thruout the ENTIRE process.

A holes can F--k with you anytime during the process.

Even the damn misinfo operators can probably click a button and screws things up for you if you don't hold your mug!

I've never have had to be such a big wimp in my life and it's not over yet.

Yes Sir!

No Sir!

Oh Yes Sir! I agree you have every reason you say to deny us and you are correct in your decision. What can I do about it Sir.

Real life!

F--------k you you a --ole. I hope you rot in hell!

I did tell them that the first time we were denied.

Amazing the second time flew! They must not have had it on the books.

[Ruairi 0]

Like many people, I have dealt with the cranky and rude US border control guards. I understand that it is a tiresome job for them, long and stressful, etc but this is no way to treat people who have stood in queues, paid a lot of money and spend a lot of time in order to live/work in the US legally. Sorry you had to go through all this.