Would perceived Intent to get engaged be an issue?

[bluegoose 0]

Hi,

We are adjusting from VWP and our interview date has been set for febuary 14th no less! Happy valentines day we hope!

We were talking about it as i dropped her off at work this morning and i was wondering how the fact i had already paid for an engagement ring before i entered country would be viewed if they asked in the interview.

The facts are:

- I was coming to visit for 11 days as i had a gap in my work..

- I knew one day i was going to propose but wanted to do it in the summer of 2013 whilst we traveled Europe.

- Rings are cheaper in the US and the designer i wanted doesnt even sell in the UK. So, i had it made and ready to pick up this time i came over so i would have it for the following summer.

As it turned out and unsurprisingly time flew and she bought tickets for a music festival (Austin City Limits) shortly after my arrival. I delayed work and extended my stay and during the festival (coldplay) i proposed. We got married a month or so later and applied AOS before the 90 days.

I know each interviewer is different but do you think this would be seen as intent to get married? We genuinely had no intent and it really did all kind of come together. But in the same light, if you are a legit relationship its likely that at some point one of you will be thinking about proposing etc.

I get the impression from reading posts that in general the interview stage is more a matter of proving the legitimacy of your relationship rather than proving there was no intent of marriage upon entering but i dont want to get caught out on some technicality when it simply wasnt the case.

Views and opinions much appreciated.

[ValerieA 350]

It may be seen as intent, but that alone is not a reason for denial when you are AOSing from marriage (this is according to the field adjudicator's manual). As long as you have no other negative factors (material misrepresentation, for example) you are fine. Just make sure you have proof of a real relationship, that is most important.

[caeremonarius 26]

Short answer: no. Intent to be engaged really doesn't mean all that much. Intent to MARRY potentially could, if that's coupled with intent to stay (although even that isn't necessarily an issue: see ValerieA's response abouve).

My wife and I were engaged (not planning on being engaged) in January 2009. We both had multiple trips to see each other (she lived in Spain & I'm a USC) throughout 2009 and into 2010. She never had any problems entering the country on VWP. When she came to visit in 2010, we decided we were sick of travelling, so we decided to get married. During our interview, intent never came up.

See my timeline and my interview review for more details.

Good luck!

AJ

[bluegoose 0]

Thanks for the replies.

@caeremonarius - We had a similar situation in that we have traveled back and forth for the last 2 years between the UK and here. She has visited me in the uk 4 times and i am on my 3rd visit here. Once i had the ring in my hand it just seemed like it was the right time and we couldnt be happier.

The one side thing i would say is that the first time i entered the country through VWP about 18months ago i was taken into secondary inspection and questioned quite thoroughly about my intentions. Funnily enough the last 2 times i have entered i was barely asked a question.

@ValerieA - What sort of thing is considered to be material misrepresentation ?

[ValerieA 350]

Material misrepresentation is basically lying - the most common example is lying to the border guard to get into the US. If you were not pulled into secondary when you arrived this trip, you should be fine.

[ValerieA 350]

I guess I should give an example - if the border guard asked you if you had a girlfriend in the US, and you said no, that would be material misrepresentation. However, if all he/she asked what is the purpose of your trip, and you said to visit Disneyland (assuming you actually were planning on visiting Disneyland), you would be OK even though you were planning on visiting your girlfriend also. I know, it can seem like a fine line, but omission is not lying.

[bluegoose 0]

Again thanks for the replies.

Upon entering i was asked 3 questions,

Q1. Where am i staying . A. With friends in las colinas

Q2. Do you have a job?. A. Yes i am a freelance web designer and a supervisor at a delicatessen.

Q3. What do you plan to do whilst you are here. A. Hang out with my friends, go to a rangers game and play golf.

That was it, all of which i did and all of which was true. So none of this was misrepresentation as far as i can see.

Edited January 17, 2012 by bluegoose

[carocaro 22]

You answered honestly what they asked. If you had an idea floating around in your mind it isn't the same as lying to them.

They never asked us anything about intentions at crossing at our interview. We came for a holiday like usual leaving all my stuff in Canada and got married and stayed instead.