I just had the most terrible experience I could ever imagine travelling overseas. I'm a Nigerian American, has both Nigerian and U.S. passport respectively. I reside in U.S and I believe under the commonwealth law, U.S. Citizens has the right to enter UK for six months to visit family. I got to UK and the next thing was UK immigration grinding me for over 4hrs reason why I'm in U.K. I told them coming to visit and I was holding my return ticket. Even despite that they spoke with my family in UK at the airport to verify my visit. They refused my entry. They claim that I have my resume (CV) in my folder, that means I'm coming in to work in UK. This sound too absurd for me, not to mention money spent already.

I just want to know if there is any lawyer that can help me with this issue. I'm very furious right now. I suspecting Class action and Hate crime on this issue.

(1) Which passport did you show them?

(2) If you DID have a CV, it was not a good idea. I got refused entry into US once (long before I got my first TN-1) for just this reason.

BTW, it's not "commonwealth law" (as US was never part of the Commonwealth) but Visa Waiver reciprocity.

Unfortunately (I know this sounds callous), the only guarantee of entry permission into UK is to have a British passport.

I showed them my U.S. Passport and ofcourse when they were searching my luggage they found my Nigeria Passport and thats when they saw some old printed copy of resume (CV). So with a U.S. Passport I will still have to pray before getting into UK? Meanwhile I have been there before for like 2wks holiday.
Now my option is to get a visa. I'm thinking of getting "Holiday Working Visa" how easy that to get I dont know.

They have the right to deny you entry, even on a US passport. They want to know that you are there for the reasons you say you are - a temporary stay on holiday (or whatever the case may be), and the burden is on you to prove that (if asked).

Our countries are pretty good allies, and in ways, closely 'related' - but that still guarantees you nothing as far as entry.

Oh, so you *were* planning to work on a tourist entry. Sounds like the UK border agent did his/her job.

Well if you now intend to apply for a working visa you maybe intended to work before... all I can say is the immigration officer did his/her job...

Dont try and enter any country with intent to do other than your visa/agreement allows....

Kezzie

Truthfully, I wasnt going there to seek any work. But since they have made a claim and I feel like I have no option than just get the working visa to be able to visit. I travel most times, I even have project in another country to go to in April or May, I have no intention to do any work in UK, I'm self employed. And by the way, I do have company I'm providing a service in UK already, that I work for from U.S. So the whole thing about working there or not was just so funny to me. Even from U.S. I'm already working with UK establishment.

I was just going to be with family in UK and they wont take it for truth and I dont know what else they want me to tell them. I realise that the working holiday visa thing is just something you hold just in case later you plan to work.

You can only get a working holiday visa if you are a commonwealth citizen. You can get a 6 month one if yo uare a US citizen if you are a full time student, or within6 months of completing your course.

Riiiight. You already have a customer there, so you weren't going to work.

I wonder if this is how yor interview at the POE went... the more that comes out, the worse it gets!

Sorry your plan didn't work out. It's not uncommon, and not grounds for any kind of suit. But "sue the bastards!" does confirm your US citizenship!

To be fair, you can go to the UK for business purposes without a visa, such as visiting clients, attending meetings, etc. Although it might not be a wise idea to do that with a resume.

Listen people, they found the resume when they start torturing my luggage. Its not like I went presenting them with resume. I mean my latest resume is even inside my laptop, I have never use resume in awhile. The one they found was inside my folder in my luggage. So resume could be incriminating? Any Immigration lawyer here??
I'm more than convince its because I carried an African last name. Even from my destination, the silly airline put mark on my ticket for a special search at the gate (They wrote big SSS with pen). I wonder what will happen if I have a Middle Eastern background? am I such of endangered specie now for being African American?

Gosh where is Jonny Corcoran in time like this?

I only mention it because I've heard of it being a problem. I've actually flown into the UK for a job interview, before I got my visa or citizenship, resume in hand. It's not illegal, but they can grill you if they want and deny you entry and I don't think you have recourse. I wouldn't deny you ran into problems because you are African - I hear about that sort of thing happening with artists and musicians with valid visas who've been invited to festivals and what not.

Jayzueus, just let it go. Did you now that people get bounced from entering the US for the very same thing? White, European people even.
Go google it; you will find plenty of stories.

Hmm, I guess the world is not what I perceived it to be. Meauxna, that your first word mean Jesus or what?

I think he's dead.

He is. And that sucks.

More so for him than you

I am just wondering what visa you would need to pursue a Hate Crime and Class Action suite against UK Immigration.

A nofuckingchance visa?

Also wondering how you file a class action for one person.

Am I the odd one out in not travelling with old CV's?

I know your pain. Being denied at a POE can be very upsetting. (it's happened twice to me). he was probably stereotyping you, but at the same time he found something that didn't sit well with him so he denied you. Next time (and you should verify if you should try to visit again) bring documents to show your ties to the USA. This could be current employment, a house you might own, cars, etc. And I don't believe it's a good idea to bring two passports, but that's just my opinion. If this has happened to other African Americans then you can file a class action suit, but I don't know how much that will help you bc they can deny you for whatever reason as long as you don't carry a UK passport.

And no, you're not the only one. I never carry around my resume/CV unless I'm job hunting.

Thank God for that, I thought I had been doing something wrong all my lfe.

Interesting that there was no mention of anything submitted to show non immigrant intent.

I know UK Immigration are a bunch of pussies compared to US Immigration, you really have to make an effort to get in this situation.

Gosh where is Jonny Corcoran in time like this?
[/quote]

He is turning over in his grave

Soooooo karmaworthy. I will have to hit you later

You're in fine form this morning! <g>


PS: I don't travel with my old CVs either.

My USC fiance, who is mexican by birth, had a good grilling one time when he was visiting me for a couple of weeks in the UK, so it is by no means unusual. They asked him all sorts of questions about me, where I worked, what I did etc etc. Eventually what swung it was that they asked him what our intentions were and he said that he was hoping to persuade me to go and live in the USA! They let him through after that.

He did stick out like a sore thumb that day, since he arrived on an Air India flight dressed like a Mexican cowboy complete with hat and boots!

They must have been discriminating against cowboys that day, Anne.

He should SUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Last I checked, Nigeria was the fourth biggest nation in Commonwealth.

When I was a kid, my father always had a copy of his resume in his briefcase. Recently, I asked him why and he said because you never know when you might meet someone who you wish you could pass your resume on to. I then asked him if it ever happened and he said no

Just to let you know, I just came back from Mexico and had the same mark on my boarding pass, and as such, was subject to a search of all of my luggage. And I'm white. Guess it was a racist thing. Maybe I should sue. (sarcasm)

I have been a victim of the dreaded SSSS twice flying from Louisville to London, via Chicago. I was beginning to feel victimized too!

What was worse was that all the time I was being searched I was bawling my eyes out, having just said goodbye to my fiance!

He died....they think that OJ did it.

hey, my husband (was boyfriend at the time) went through the wringer coming into Canada because he brought his laptop with him for non-business reasons. They didn't initially believe him since his profession is computer and systems programming. And he had stuff searched, and a Customs Officer came out to the waiting area and questioned me in public.

Oh, and he be pasty white.

I have never had that problem, but then I usually fly BA or UA and it seems that the odd ones out are those without laptops.

I have been through UK immigration with my now wife when she was not, all I can say is that she never had a problem and she always has her work laptop with her.

There was a good prog on I think BBC that was a fly on the wall documentary about Immigration, quite fascinating.

Oh, I hear ya, but they had a hard time believing him at the time, must have had sawdust in the Wheaties that day!

Hmm, Cowboy hat, thats it. I was wearing my cowboy hat because I couldnt put it in luggage. By the way talking of African American being grinded. That same morning it was 2 of us they did call to the side. There was this girl from Iowa who has Serria Leonne background aswell. And thats just within 4hrs that I was there. So I have every reason to say they are hostile to Americans that has African background and people with cowboy hats.

I will keep on checking this thread. The only thing I need to do is get access to that file they have in their office where they put the names of the people they grinding and we will see to the class action or not.

This has got to be some kind of phenomenally crafted piss take!!

It's a pretty darn good one

Hit post 39 on a non event.

This sort of post is very common from those refused entry into the USA, I am guessing here but my assumption is that the elements are the same, up to the applicant to show non-immigrant intent and that they are going to comply with ther terms of their admittance, not the other way around, otherwise bye bye.

They, like any country, dont HAVE to let you in. Thats it. period.
Unless you are UK resident or by birth you have no 'right' of entry.
If you were unhappy with the service I suggest you write and complain, but as the UK has a HIGH rate of entry fraud one expects to be checked heavily (same with USA).

The immigration rules are being tightened up further in the UK,with a new points sytem......

According to today's report from the BBC):

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4781030.stm

Neil.

Exactly what I stated earlier. I have guaranteed entry rights in only two countries--Canada (since 1982) and US (since last April); any other country (including India) has the right to decide on its own (even if I have a valid visa to go there) whether to permit me to enter.

I got pulled over, grilled and searched at Alabama airport...and I am white and British and was just trying to leave.....

Were you in transit THROUGH US?

(unfortunately, North American airports are NOT transit-passenger-friendly generally)

Is this guy for real? 2 African-Americans got grilled in 4 hours? Well how many white people got grilled in the same time frame?! Come on!!

First time my Hubby (then boyfriend) visited me, he had one hell of a time and he's white, blue eyed etc. Mind you poor darling did look a bit strange. He had a seizure on the plane, was pale and shaky etc, they probably thought he was a drug addict/smuggler or something. They came out to talk to me too and it was only when I asked if he had had a seizure that they relaxed. Couldn't understand his odd behaviour before that.

I've been taken aside and searched too before bording a plane to LEAVE America. I didn't take any offence, just thought they have to pick a certain number to search and I happened to be that one that day. I had nothing to hide, so no problem for me.

ktun - similar here - I used to get constantly pulled over for a search upon re-entry to the UK (Im blonde, blue-eyed and whiter than most white people! ) and I wasn't coming from any known 'drug countries' (OK once from Holland).
I got so paranoid about it that I asked the customs guy if I had a weird look about me..and he laughed his head off and said no, but they have to search X # of people and maybe I was just unlucky. I told him I felt more than unlucky but it was over pretty fast - my only little extra in my case being some china clogs that time and a CD
I've been quizzed entering other places too but I expect that - they are there to do a job and they do it.
India was one - and I didnt take it as racist that they only seemed to be pulling us pale faces out of the immigration line for more questions.
Once they were happy they let us go on our merry way.
I've travelled a LOT and its just par for the course.
(Tho in Malaysia we had auto carbines stuck in our faces as punctuations to the questions, which was novel, and almost brown trousers time, but when they learned we'd all worked for the police as contractors and had high security clearances they became our best buds and even asked us if we wanted to hold and inspect their weaponry even more alarming, )

I always thought that happened a lot to blonds...

This thread may be heading into Essex Girl jokes.

I was detained for about 8 hours on my first trip to the UK....I had a 6 month ticket, a brand-new passport, and 3 luggage cases, Immigration lady was like 'we're concerned you're trying to sneak in' and I'm all 'you'd call this sneaking???'

Anyways, that's me in my av...so it's not a skin color thing.....I happen to think they were right to stop me & check it out...they did eventually grant me entry....but coming for a visit with a resume in hand? That'd do it for me....

I got the dreaded SSS one time on a trip back from Indonesia. At every airport I went through I was searched. When I made it back the the US my POE was SanFrancisco. They pulled me aside, opened my bags and searched EVERYTHING! I thought I was gonna get the "rubber glove treatment". I am white, middle class and as "American" as you get. I commented that I had been really given the treatment on the whole trip and the agent told me that they randomly choose people for extra checks. That is where the SSS came from. The computer just spit it out and it became "my turn".

Something you're not telling us. Why were they searching your luggage? Normally, you go through
passport control, THEN you pick up your luggage. Did they find a discrepancy on your entry forms?