Being turned away from a U.S. airport

[Damian P 92]

I was just reading a post from one of the VJ members in which she told of her OH being turned away from Detroit airport. I have also heard a smilar tale from another VJer I talk at.

Has anyone else got any similar stories about this happening to either them or their OH? I honestly can't think of anything more horrendous than spending all that time and money arranging everything only to frogmarched to the first available plane, and sent straight back from whence you came.

Do they even give you a chance to freshen up/have a drink somewhere first, or is it really a case of "off you go" immediately??

[Saddle Bronc 124]

I'll give you an even worse (though third-hand) story.

In 2003, the Canadian (on R-1) pastor of a Richmond (VA) church was turned back when returning to Dulles from Heathrow--and told to reboard the flight back to Heathrow; not even wait for the next one to Pearson (which at least is in his home country).

[Savanphil 3]

I'll give you an even worse (though third-hand) story.

In 2003, the Canadian (on R-1) pastor of a Richmond (VA) church was turned back when returning to Dulles from Heathrow--and told to reboard the flight back to Heathrow; not even wait for the next one to Pearson (which at least is in his home country).

Dang!

[Carlawarla 1]

I was just reading a post from one of the VJ members in which she told of her OH being turned away from Detroit airport. I have also heard a smilar tale from another VJer I talk at.

Has anyone else got any similar stories about this happening to either them or their OH? I honestly can't think of anything more horrendous than spending all that time and money arranging everything only to frogmarched to the first available plane, and sent straight back from whence you came.

Do they even give you a chance to freshen up/have a drink somewhere first, or is it really a case of "off you go" immediately??

Do a search on this site for similar stories. There have been a few that have been turned away. That's why a lot of posters who have been around will tell people before flying here to make sure they have evidence of their strong ties to their home country so that it will lessen their chances of being turned away at the border. I do know in some places, there is pre-clearance in their home country, so that at least if they're not going to be let in, they know that BEFORE they get here!

[PJB 0]

My friend's daughter comes over several times a year but over stayed her visa by a few days on the last visit. The next time she returned for a visit she was denied entry, interogated by the nasty immigration officers and made to wait in a dingy little room for 24 hours then put on a plane back to her home country! No hot meals or place to sleep after her 14 hour flight here. She refuses to ever come back to America.

[KimandRuss 0]

Hey rocker dude... my love was turned away in September of last year. You can read my first ever post here at VJ in regards to that mess!

He had basically been living in the U.S. for over a year at that point because I was struggling to get a divorce for years and we really just wanted to be together. Anyway, we would leave the Country every 90 days for a few days vacation abroad somewhere. Yes, very expensive. On his last time out (5th time I believe) he flew to Dublin alone for just one night... Dublin does U.S. Customs right there so they just wouldn't let him on the flight. He was brought into another room.. asked a bunch of questions and was 'allowed to withdraw his petition to enter the U.S.' . He then had to fly to London and then 'home' to New Zealand. We certainly took advantage of the VWP but there really was no other option for us at the time. We were very lucky to have the time together that we did.

He was treated very nicely by the officials who were quite sympathetic and even brought him tissues. How it should be really. No need for glorified security guards on power trips making it harder or, even worse, abusing people!

So here we are almost a year later. We've had one 3 week visit in all that time as NZ is umm VERY expensive to fly to ..not to mention the 20+ hours of flight time. It certainly was heartbreaking for us and the wait has been excrutiating but we're getting there now!

Great love perseveres through any storm!

[Damian P 92]

Kim, this is why I only ever spend a week or two at a time per visit, and make absolutely sure that each visit is seperated by at least 3 months. I'm never gonna give anyone at immigration reason to refuse me entry.

I hear ya about the cost of going to NZ - I moan about the cost of transatlantic flights, but that's nowt compared to what you have to fork out!! Still, not long now until it's a moot point, eh?

Oh, Red Sox suck, btw.(you know how I like to put a completely random statement into my posts!!)

[sunnybear 0]

Ha you are talking of me and nope he did not get to "freshen up" in fact he got questioned in customs at Detroit for 4 hours....including two calls to me I believe it was from customs and then a third call from him as they let him callme to let me know they weren't letting him in.

They then handcuffed him and brought him to jail in Dearborn.....he got to wear his clothes but did have to remove all piercings....he then sat there for 14 hours where a guard offered him some beef jerky and then made a joke how he "was feeding the alien"......sigh gotta love the impression Americans can make.....

He then was again police escorted onto a flight back to London and only given his passport once in the air.....

And no we did not get refunded for any plane tickets.....

[MissStacey 1]

I have been denied twice.

In Canada- you go through US Customs before you get on the plane- so I wasn't in a situation where I was stuck waiting for a flight back to my Country.

It is a humiliating experience- especially the second time when I knew to bring proof of ties and copies of all my paper work that we had filed and being told it wasn't enough and I would be allowed to visit.

I had done a ton of traveling in my life and have never run into a problems so all of a sudden having problems was a real downer. I understand they are only doing their jobs and have the right to refuse me- but knowing I was not a risk in any way and had no ill intentions was real kick in the ribs.

But- that is all in the past now. I have my Visa- I am back with my husband in the US and we are resuming a normal life.

[Damian P 92]

Ha you are talking of me and nope he did not get to "freshen up" in fact he got questioned in customs at Detroit for 4 hours....including two calls to me I believe it was from customs and then a third call from him as they let him callme to let me know they weren't letting him in.

They then handcuffed him and brought him to jail in Dearborn.....he got to wear his clothes but did have to remove all piercings....he then sat there for 14 hours where a guard offered him some beef jerky and then made a joke how he "was feeding the alien"......sigh gotta love the impression Americans can make.....

He then was again police escorted onto a flight back to London and only given his passport once in the air.....

And no we did not get refunded for any plane tickets.....

Sunny, that is bullshit!! Complete and utter bollox!!!!!! Gareth's treatment, I mean, not your story!!! Handcuffs, for Christ's sake!!!??? Was that really necessary!!!??? And how do they string out "I'm going to see my girlfriend" for 4 hours!!???? Jail!!!!!?????????

Thank the lord that the next time I go over it'll be with visa in hand.

[brnidokiegurl 0]

One of our group just had in laws come for visit, the father in law was jailed over night and next day they returned home

[sunnybear 0]

Ha you are talking of me and nope he did not get to "freshen up" in fact he got questioned in customs at Detroit for 4 hours....including two calls to me I believe it was from customs and then a third call from him as they let him callme to let me know they weren't letting him in.

They then handcuffed him and brought him to jail in Dearborn.....he got to wear his clothes but did have to remove all piercings....he then sat there for 14 hours where a guard offered him some beef jerky and then made a joke how he "was feeding the alien"......sigh gotta love the impression Americans can make.....

He then was again police escorted onto a flight back to London and only given his passport once in the air.....

And no we did not get refunded for any plane tickets.....

Sunny, that is bullshit!! Complete and utter bollox!!!!!! Gareth's treatment, I mean, not your story!!! Handcuffs, for Christ's sake!!!??? Was that really necessary!!!??? And how do they string out "I'm going to see my girlfriend" for 4 hours!!???? Jail!!!!!?????????

Thank the lord that the next time I go over it'll be with visa in hand.

Yeah Damian it was a down time for us for sure! What made matters worse is he had quit his job, all his stuff was shipped over to me, I had bought him hockey tickets to go see Redwings vs Blackhawks for a Christmas pressie as he is a huge ice hockey fan.....oh and we had concert tickets bought to go see one of his fave bands Down as well......so yeah it SUCKED! We are trying to stay as positive as we can and hope that there are no future problems etc...but sure does make one nervous. Guess it was our own dumb fault for having him get a 6 month visa (which he also had to pay for!) when he did not have enough ties to the UK What really pisses me off is was just reading on their site today that it is completely ok they say to get married on the 6 month visa as long as the UK spouse then goes back to the UK during the spouse visa process....so it is like why didn't they just tell him that?! But then again he did tell them right off the bat we weren't planning on getting married (which we really were not planning anything at that point we just wanted time together!!!!)...anywayyyyyy yeah we have stories for the grandchildren now haha!

[Damian P 92]

Yeah Damian it was a down time for us for sure! What made matters worse is he had quit his job, all his stuff was shipped over to me, I had bought him hockey tickets to go see Redwings vs Blackhawks for a Christmas pressie as he is a huge ice hockey fan.....oh and we had concert tickets bought to go see one of his fave bands Down as well......so yeah it SUCKED! We are trying to stay as positive as we can and hope that there are no future problems etc...but sure does make one nervous. Guess it was our own dumb fault for having him get a 6 month visa (which he also had to pay for!) when he did not have enough ties to the UK What really pisses me off is was just reading on their site today that it is completely ok they say to get married on the 6 month visa as long as the UK spouse then goes back to the UK during the spouse visa process....so it is like why didn't they just tell him that?! But then again he did tell them right off the bat we weren't planning on getting married (which we really were not planning anything at that point we just wanted time together!!!!)...anywayyyyyy yeah we have stories for the grandchildren now haha!

Sunny, your use of a single word will now take me right off topic - DOWN!!! I am a massive Phil Anslemo fan, and I ###### love that band! Having said that, I think the latest effort falls a fair bit short of "NOLA" and "Down II" - just my opinion of course. Saw Superjointritual at Ozzfest in St Louis a couple of years back too.

Did you know that I once had tickets to see Pantera AND Slayer on the same bill? "Tattoo The Planet" was the name they gave the tour, but then the whole 9/11 thing happened just a few days before the show, and that was that - thanks a ###### lot Osama!! You know, I never did get to see Pantera live - bummer.

Anyhoo, I think this thread had better get.......... before someone slaps my wrists!

[sunnybear 0]

Yeah Damian it was a down time for us for sure! What made matters worse is he had quit his job, all his stuff was shipped over to me, I had bought him hockey tickets to go see Redwings vs Blackhawks for a Christmas pressie as he is a huge ice hockey fan.....oh and we had concert tickets bought to go see one of his fave bands Down as well......so yeah it SUCKED! We are trying to stay as positive as we can and hope that there are no future problems etc...but sure does make one nervous. Guess it was our own dumb fault for having him get a 6 month visa (which he also had to pay for!) when he did not have enough ties to the UK What really pisses me off is was just reading on their site today that it is completely ok they say to get married on the 6 month visa as long as the UK spouse then goes back to the UK during the spouse visa process....so it is like why didn't they just tell him that?! But then again he did tell them right off the bat we weren't planning on getting married (which we really were not planning anything at that point we just wanted time together!!!!)...anywayyyyyy yeah we have stories for the grandchildren now haha!

Sunny, your use of a single word will now take me right off topic - DOWN!!! I am a massive Phil Anslemo fan, and I ###### love that band! Having said that, I think the latest effort falls a fair bit short of "NOLA" and "Down II" - just my opinion of course. Saw Superjointritual at Ozzfest in St Louis a couple of years back too.

Did you know that I once had tickets to see Pantera AND Slayer on the same bill? "Tattoo The Planet" was the name they gave the tour, but then the whole 9/11 thing happened just a few days before the show, and that was that - thanks a ###### lot Osama!! You know, I never did get to see Pantera live - bummer.

Anyhoo, I think this thread had better get.......... before someone slaps my wrists!

LOL Damian well I am not really into any of those bands....they are ALL Gareth haha! I told him I know he has got to be my soulmate as how in the hell would I have ever fallen in love with someone that has slipknot scary ### clown tattoos on his chest otherwise?! hahahaha.....If I can overlook that and his Hellraiser themed leg well ####### it's got to be the real deal hahhaahah! But nuh I am into a wide range of music myself but not so much of the heavy stuff.

I am mailing out our RFE stuff today and overnighting that ####### if it is too late to do same day delivery haha!!! Stay tuned folks.......

[Gemmie 142]

Kim, this is why I only ever spend a week or two at a time per visit, and make absolutely sure that each visit is seperated by at least 3 months. I'm never gonna give anyone at immigration reason to refuse me entry.

This has made me a little nervous now.

I stayed in the US for 6 weeks on the VWP and then returned to the UK on July 21st. I've been working to make sure my rent is all paid here, and I plan on going back to the US around August 25th-September 25th.

Do you think this will be a problem?

I have a copy of registration from my university stating that my course ends in June 2009 - and also a copy of my apartment contract ending in July 2009.