Problems at airport

[I+H 11]

I didn't really know where to post this, but I need help just the same.

My fiance was boarding his flight from Dubai to Hong Kong. The woman that checked him in told him she was unsure as to whether or not he would be able to board his flight from Hong Kong to the US. She said something about "common name" and that was about all I could get out of my guy. He was in a rush to catch his flight. I assume she was refering to the "no fly" list. I know for a fact he is not on the "no fly" list. So does he have anything to worry about? He's on his way now, but I'm worried. So do I have anything to worry about. The woman was even trying to contact someone in Hong Kong for whatever reason, but was unable to because of the time difference.

To try and calm myself I have gathered these facts in my mind:

They wouldn't allow him to fly to Hong Kong at all if he is not even allowed in their international terminal. He is not going to try and leave the airport or anything.

Why would they send him back to Dubai? I can't come up with an answer.

And if his visa was approved the government obviously did their homework on him and they would just let him on the plane to the US and let the US deal with him.

I just need some reassuring words or the experiece of someone else coming from a MENA country that had a layover in another country.

Thank you all so much!

[I+H 11]

Help anyone? Pleaseeeeee!!!!!!

[sheepp 2]

Don´t worry!! I am sure it has been just that someone that has his same name was in that list or something similar, that´s why they say that there is a problem with a common name, if he has his visa approved it means that they have done all the research they needed to do in the right way, and you also say that he is in his way so don´t worry and enjoy!!

Edited August 25, 2011 by sheepp

[az110965 252]

Your fiance has a valid entry visa for the USA inserted into his passport. That in and of itself will get him abord the flight from Hong Kong to the USA. I am sure he went through AP when you were at the Embassy interview stage and he should have no entry issues into the USA.

[FastViper 5]

Help anyone? Pleaseeeeee!!!!!!

"Why would they send him back to Dubai?" It sounds by your post that this happened in Dubai, so that is moot. The American TSA is different and it might be a flag or the like. The good news is he will have a layover in Hong Kong where he can perhaps sort things out. If he has any issues, he can call you and you folks can coordinate things and contact the US Embassy in Hong Kong, Dubai or whomever you need to call. As his sponsor, he will need you so try and keep your head on straight as this sounds like a DHS (TSA) issue and might be a glitch, common name that was flagged or the like. Say the Serenity Prayer and do your best to help him.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,235]

My fiance was boarding his flight from Dubai to Hong Kong. The woman that checked him in told him she was unsure as to whether or not he would be able to board his flight from Hong Kong to the US.

Frankly, I'm unsure if the sun will rise tomorrow morning, but I'm fairly confident it will.

[FastViper 5]

Your fiance has a valid entry visa for the USA inserted into his passport. That in and of itself will get him abord the flight from Hong Kong to the USA. I am sure he went through AP when you were at the Embassy interview stage and he should have no entry issues into the USA.

Actually, that will not get him on board the flight as that is a totally different issue. If he is flagged, he has to resolve it there or he will be held up. The visa is only for US entry once he is here and as always subject to revocation. I hope this is just a mix up, for whatever reason the last 3 flights my checked in baggage has been getting searched but nothing is ever missing. Anyhow, our thoughts are with you, but again stay strong to help him.

[az110965 252]

If the fiance was flagged he would have been denied boarding in his departure country. If the fiance was flagged he would not have cleared AP. He should have no problems boarding and also should not have any issues at the POE.

USCIS at the POE has access to the same databases that the Cosulate had when his visa was approved... With a valid K-1 visa glued into his passport he will be allowed to board and will clear immigration and customs here in the USA.

[I+H 11]

If the fiance was flagged he would have been denied boarding in his departure country. If the fiance was flagged he would not have cleared AP. He should have no problems boarding and also should not have any issues at the POE.

USCIS at the POE has access to the same databases that the Cosulate had when his visa was approved... With a valid K-1 visa glued into his passport he will be allowed to board and will clear immigration and customs here in the USA.

Thank you for the response. Everything you say is what I have been thinking. He doesn't have a way to contact me when he lands there so I have know way to know for sure if he made his flight. I have to drive 3 hours to go pick him up and of course I would be devastated if I got there and he wasn't.

The other poster is kinda freakin me out though!

[I+H 11]

"Why would they send him back to Dubai?" It sounds by your post that this happened in Dubai, so that is moot. The American TSA is different and it might be a flag or the like. The good news is he will have a layover in Hong Kong where he can perhaps sort things out. If he has any issues, he can call you and you folks can coordinate things and contact the US Embassy in Hong Kong, Dubai or whomever you need to call. As his sponsor, he will need you so try and keep your head on straight as this sounds like a DHS (TSA) issue and might be a glitch, common name that was flagged or the like. Say the Serenity Prayer and do your best to help him.

I am not concerned with an issue with the US. He has been approved and we went through AP. He has been thoroughly checked over I am sure. Does Hong Kong have a say though? I am under the impression that international terminals are neutral ground. He can be there no matter what nationality he is, am I right? He has the visa on him obviously, Im thinking that maybe the lady at the counter didn't understand that.

[I+H 11]

I cant stop worrying!

[nameyang 0]

Be strong and keep on praying! I am hoping that it is a matter of miscommunication. Keep you hopes up!

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

I don't see how an airline worker in Dubai knows anything about Hong Kong or K-1 visas. Why would you worry about what s/he said?

[sheepp 2]

What time is he supposed to get Hong Kong? Be patient, if there were something wrong he would simply have the visa denied, and You two got approved on august 3rd, not so long ago, so I think everything will be good and in some hours you will be posting all happy with him at your side

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

All airlines will attempt to clear a passenger through to their final destination when they issue their boarding passes. Otherwise, the airline is stuck with carrying the passenger back to their point of departure. It sounds like the airline employee in Dubai had trouble clearing him for the last leg of his journey from Hong Kong to the US. If it's a "name hit" then they can usually sort that out at the airport by contacting TSA in the US. There are more than 80,000 names on the TSA "no fly list", and many many people who share the same names as people on the list. Those people manage to travel, albeit with some delays because they get a "name hit" every time they travel to or from the US.

TSA has details about the people on the "no fly list" beyond simply their names. They have photos, height, weight, body proportions, dimensions of their facial characteristics (distance between their eyes, nose, and mouth, for example), color details about their hair, eyes, and skin. In many cases they even have statistics on how they walk. In most cases, they can confirm or eliminate someone with a computer analysis of their picture.

A friend of mine was held up at San Francisco International because of a TSA "name hit". He was right in front of me at the baggage check line. He got to the gate about 15 minutes after I did. He said they just took his picture and he waited until they told him he was cleared.

Don't worry about it. There's a good chance it won't be a problem at all. If it does cause a problem then it shouldn't be more than a little delay while they confirm his identity.