visa waiver denial

[Caroline_L 0]

Can anyone help me? I would like to know if anyone else was ever refused entry to the US on the visa waiver program prior to their K1 application. I was refused in Sep 2007 when I tried to fly out of Dublin to meet up with my SO in California. I was interrogated and although they had no evidence to deny me, I was told that they were removing my waiver rights because they thought I had intentions to become an illegal immigrant (not the case at all.) I have never overstayed or worked in US or done anything else that was not allowed under the visa waiver stipulations and I had my return ticket booked and showed them this. Anyhow we have since applied for our K1 but it is taking a very long time. We spoke to our lawyer about it and she said that the USCIS were DELIBERATELY PUNISHING us because I was refused on the visa waiver program. She said that they do this sometimes. I'm very confused. She says that they are delaying us on purpose but that we will still get it. It all seems very strange to me and I'm wondering if anyone has had a similar problem.

[krystiandjon 0]

Can anyone help me? I would like to know if anyone else was ever refused entry to the US on the visa waiver program prior to their K1 application. I was refused in Sep 2007 when I tried to fly out of Dublin to meet up with my SO in California. I was interrogated and although they had no evidence to deny me, I was told that they were removing my waiver rights because they thought I had intentions to become an illegal immigrant (not the case at all.) I have never overstayed or worked in US or done anything else that was not allowed under the visa waiver stipulations and I had my return ticket booked and showed them this. Anyhow we have since applied for our K1 but it is taking a very long time. We spoke to our lawyer about it and she said that the USCIS were DELIBERATELY PUNISHING us because I was refused on the visa waiver program. She said that they do this sometimes. I'm very confused. She says that they are delaying us on purpose but that we will still get it. It all seems very strange to me and I'm wondering if anyone has had a similar problem.

Jon was also denied entry in June 2008 for the same reason. We too are still waiting for our petition approval.

While I don't think they're being intentionally malicious as your lawyer implied, I do think we're waiting longer because of that incident. We definitely will get a hit on the FBI name checks because Jon now has a file with immigration. All of these people waiting in name checks and being approved last week has given me hope! Hopefully we'll all hear something soon!

[YuAndDan 153]

VWP denial will have no effect on your K-1 case.

K-1 is an immigrant intent visa and is handled by the IV unit of the consulate, being denied entry as a visitor, or denied a visitors visa wont be a problem.

[Ed+Cindy 1]

Can anyone help me? I would like to know if anyone else was ever refused entry to the US on the visa waiver program prior to their K1 application. I was refused in Sep 2007 when I tried to fly out of Dublin to meet up with my SO in California. I was interrogated and although they had no evidence to deny me, I was told that they were removing my waiver rights because they thought I had intentions to become an illegal immigrant (not the case at all.) I have never overstayed or worked in US or done anything else that was not allowed under the visa waiver stipulations and I had my return ticket booked and showed them this. Anyhow we have since applied for our K1 but it is taking a very long time. We spoke to our lawyer about it and she said that the USCIS were DELIBERATELY PUNISHING us because I was refused on the visa waiver program. She said that they do this sometimes. I'm very confused. She says that they are delaying us on purpose but that we will still get it. It all seems very strange to me and I'm wondering if anyone has had a similar problem.

Jon was also denied entry in June 2008 for the same reason. We too are still waiting for our petition approval.

While I don't think they're being intentionally malicious as your lawyer implied, I do think we're waiting longer because of that incident. We definitely will get a hit on the FBI name checks because Jon now has a file with immigration. All of these people waiting in name checks and being approved last week has given me hope! Hopefully we'll all hear something soon!

We are in the same boat. Cindy was denied entry in Oct for a visit. CBP was EXTREMELY rude and unprofessional towards her.

While I respect that people say being denied entry does not affect K-1 approval, and I expect our petition to be approved, I also wonder why we are still waiting when most everyone else from our time frame has been approved.

[Caroline_L 0]

I think we all must be getting extra security checks but I hope it won't take too much longer. Makes you paranoid! Being yelled at by immigration in Dublin was the scariest thing I've ever experienced, I hope they won't be harder on us when it comes to the interview, if that ever comes! Thanks for responding everybody, helps to know I'm not the only one in this position.x

[Ed+Cindy 1]

I think we all must be getting extra security checks but I hope it won't take too much longer. Makes you paranoid! Being yelled at by immigration in Dublin was the scariest thing I've ever experienced, I hope they won't be harder on us when it comes to the interview, if that ever comes! Thanks for responding everybody, helps to know I'm not the only one in this position.x

What I find really stupid, with regard to denied entry, is we are all from modern, respectable English speaking countries (UK, NZ). Why would anyone from one of these countries live illegally in the US when their home country is just as nice. The ONLY reason Cindy is moving to the US is to be with me. US immigration is brainwashed to think the whole would wants to move here illegally. I'm the American and I don't think this place is that great

[Ed+Cindy 1]

Caroline, why were you yelled at by the immigration in Dublin for going to the US?

I (CINDY) totally understand how you feel about being interrogated by immigration officers. I was interrogated by 6 CBP officers in total on 3 counts of over 3 hours per session. I just wanted to leave but I think they had so much fun interrogating me The funny thing is that they asked me to THANK THEM at the end for their decision. Did they do that to you?

I'm so glad to know that there are others in our boat too! Hang in there We'll get there one day

[Caroline_L 0]

The man asked me why I kept visiting the US and I told him that my boyfriend lived there. Then he asked how I supported myself while I was there and I said that my boyfriend supported me financially, to which he sarcastically smirked, 'well he must love you very[i][/i] much' He asked me where my last job had been and I told him Southampton. He said, 'which state?' I said I didn't understand and he started yelling in my face 'which state, WHICH STATE?' So I told him it was in England, I'd never worked in the US. Anyway he was just so rude the whole time and kept yelling stuff about how I had no intention to return to the UK if I left, which is complete nonsense. I told him that my mother was termially ill so I would only go the US for a short time so I could be in the UK with her as much as possible but he basically told me he didn't believe me. I ended up in tears and eventually he started to be a bit nicer and actually said he was 'sorry!' It was an awful experience. He said we'd have to apply for a fiance visa but we didn't want to get married yet because my mum was so ill so we tried to get a tourist visa but it was denied. My mum died last June and that's when we decided to file for the fiance visa, it's been a difficult year.

Sounds like you've been having a rough ride too, I hope we get some good news soon, I've lost trust in immigration ever since my experience and I'm scared that we'll be denied again, I hope not!

[deneter 0]

What a story! I feel so sorry that you had to go through all this. There have been many 6 months+ approval lately. I hope you´ll be one of the next ones. It is aweful how a goverment can make your life so difficult.

Maybe with the new president there will be less entries denied. Just a guess...

[ThaitoUSA 15]

As an American citizen, I wish to apologize for any representatives from my country who have treated anyone rudely. That is truly an embarrassment, unprofessional and unacceptable. Having formed relationships with some of my countrymen, I am sure you can trust me when I state that those people do not speak for all of us. I guess there are sinners and saints everywhere.

I do want to say that, short of being disrespectful or rude, I do want our immigration officers to scrutinize all incoming visitors. As most of you are aware, there are many people who do wish to inflict massive harm on Americans. Of course these folks are going to come over under false pretense i.e. student visas and so our officers must be vigilant. Again this never condones harassment (unless it is a terrorist, then harass away TSA!).

I strive to find win-win situations in life. It is quite a delicate balance between finding out whether someone is being truthful and acting overly skeptical. Perhaps these incidences reflect a need for further training in this area.

Again, I wish to apologize for any disrespect, since it does not reflect the noblest values of my people. I hope that you are able to see that demonstrated while living here.

All the best.

[Caroline_L 0]

As an American citizen, I wish to apologize for any representatives from my country who have treated anyone rudely. That is truly an embarrassment, unprofessional and unacceptable. Having formed relationships with some of my countrymen, I am sure you can trust me when I state that those people do not speak for all of us. I guess there are sinners and saints everywhere.

I do want to say that, short of being disrespectful or rude, I do want our immigration officers to scrutinize all incoming visitors. As most of you are aware, there are many people who do wish to inflict massive harm on Americans. Of course these folks are going to come over under false pretense i.e. student visas and so our officers must be vigilant. Again this never condones harassment (unless it is a terrorist, then harass away TSA!).

I strive to find win-win situations in life. It is quite a delicate balance between finding out whether someone is being truthful and acting overly skeptical. Perhaps these incidences reflect a need for further training in this area.

Again, I wish to apologize for any disrespect, since it does not reflect the noblest values of my people. I hope that you are able to see that demonstrated while living here.

All the best.

You don't have to apologize, that's very sweet of you though and I have to say that when I was with my fiance in US I found all his friends and family to be truly lovely people and in fact even strangers were very friendly (like yourself) and I felt very welcomed. I come from Northern Ireland so I fully understand the importance to look out for terrorists! Hope you get to be with your SO soon, not easy being apart from the one you love, good luck with the k1.

[John & Mary 1]

I thought this was interesting, so I looked around at timelines for members I know have been through the same situation, but that's only two or three that I'm aware of, and it does seem that perhaps their NOA2 wait-times were long... but it's really impossible to tell, because I can't tell how quickly VSC and CSC were moving when they applied and were approved.

So, for those of you who were denied on the VWP and have now successfully entered the US with your visa... did you think you waited longer than others before your NOA2?

Personally, I'm suspecting that my fiance and I may be held up in name checks just because I am a teacher. I've submitted my fingerprints and personal data to at least two US law enforcement agencies, so I'm guessing I may be "in the system" somewhere. Oh, the rewards of public school teaching just keep adding up!

[Cham 3]

The NOA2 will take up to 6 months sometimes longer. Folks who have NOT been denied on a waiver have waited as well.

[Boiler 45,516]

I know quite a few people who worked illegally in the US, it's not just Mexicans.

[Ed+Cindy 1]

So, for those of you who were denied on the VWP and have now successfully entered the US with your visa... did you think you waited longer than others before your NOA2?

The only couple I can find that was denied entry and approved in the recent time frame is Wendy+Greger (Sweden), their NOA2 took 10 1/2 months.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showuser=48469

I know of a few others on here that were denied and approved, but they are not as recent.

I would bet any amount of money those petitions who were denied entry take on average longer to approve. I woudl love to have more specific statistics on that.