Same sex couple - girlfriend on tourist visa

[matcha 0]

Hey all,

I am a U.S. female citizen who is dating a mexican citizen. We met online and have been talking for a few months shy of a year. She visited the U.S. twice - once in Jan 2014 for a few days and another time in April for a few days. Each time she put that she was visiting a friend. The second time though, the cbp officer was giving her a hard time and asked if she had a bf to which she replied no but he was trying to trick her into answering yes by continuing to ask or rephrasing the question. She said no each time and said that her friend (stating "she) is who she is visiting. He said "oh a lady friend huh?" to which she responded yes and asked her how we knew eachother and that we met through a mutual friend (which is not the case - we met online through a dating site). She was scared that she was going to be denied entry if she told him that we met online. So my questions are:

1. She stated that she is visitng a friend - is this truely considered lying if the officer did not ask if we were dating?

2. She told him that we met through a mutual friend when really we met online - will this come back to bite us?

3. She has already visited twice this year, would it be advisable for her to visit anymore? She has only been here for a total of 6 days between both trips and always has a return ticket. And if she were to visit again, if asked why she is visiting should she state her gf? I know they keep address info on file and it would be the same.

4. If she is denied entry due to dating a U.S. citizen how bad is that? Is this something that isn't a big deal as long as the next time she visits she has more evidence of ties? Or is this kept on record as a big deal and can cause issues in the future? The law is so ridiculously complex and of course not straight forward.

Our relationship is amazing and we talk ALL of the time - I have been down to MX to visit her as well for a few days. We are thinking about a fiance Visa since this would be our only option to be together in the U.S. (the relationship is 100% real).

If anyone can provide any information I would be so greatful! I am willing to do whatever I can for us to be together (legally of course).

[Ning25 619]

Hey all,

I am a U.S. female citizen who is dating a mexican citizen. We met online and have been talking for a few months shy of a year. She visited the U.S. twice - once in Jan 2014 for a few days and another time in April for a few days. Each time she put that she was visiting a friend. The second time though, the cbp officer was giving her a hard time and asked if she had a bf to which she replied no but he was trying to trick her into answering yes by continuing to ask or rephrasing the question. She said no each time and said that her friend (stating "she) is who she is visiting. He said "oh a lady friend huh?" to which she responded yes and asked her how we knew eachother and that we met through a mutual friend (which is not the case - we met online through a dating site). She was scared that she was going to be denied entry if she told him that we met online. So my questions are:

1. She stated that she is visitng a friend - is this truely considered lying if the officer did not ask if we were dating?

2. She told him that we met through a mutual friend when really we met online - will this come back to bite us?

3. She has already visited twice this year, would it be advisable for her to visit anymore? She has only been here for a total of 6 days between both trips and always has a return ticket. And if she were to visit again, if asked why she is visiting should she state her gf? I know they keep address info on file and it would be the same.

4. If she is denied entry due to dating a U.S. citizen how bad is that? Is this something that isn't a big deal as long as the next time she visits she has more evidence of ties? Or is this kept on record as a big deal and can cause issues in the future? The law is so ridiculously complex and of course not straight forward.

Our relationship is amazing and we talk ALL of the time - I have been down to MX to visit her as well for a few days. We are thinking about a fiance Visa since this would be our only option to be together in the U.S. (the relationship is 100% real).

If anyone can provide any information I would be so greatful! I am willing to do whatever I can for us to be together (legally of course).

Your question should be about simply telling the truth which is what must be done. If she doesn't she may suffer serious consequences later.

# 1 Its seems she is in fact visiting a friend. If asked if she " dates " that friend the she knows the answer.

# 2 She has lied once. She shouldn't test the system again.

# 3 How many times she can enter is always up to the officer. Yes because that's the truth. Keep in mind the experience level of these officers.

# 4 It isn't bad unless she is denied due to lies. There is of course a record of her entries and attempts. The law seems complex if you don't understand it or are trying to avoid what the intentions are.

Your relationship is far beyond a normal friendship. If you want to have her with you inside the USA make sure its all founded in truth and there shouldn't be a problem. Play with the system and plan on moving to Mexico. She has been lucky to have been granted a tourist visa which she shouldn't abuse.

[matcha 0]

Ning, thank you for your reply.

Since she answered him that how we met was through a mutual friend (this is the only thing that concerns me) should we stick with that as they may have kept this on file? (she wasn't brought to the side for questioning or anything and didn't appear to be typing on his computer). Or the next time she visits if asked, we met online? It was a response that was not intended to turn into a trail of lies as she was just getting asked in numerous ways about a boyfriend and it's just what came out. I certainly do not want to raise any flags that will burn us later down the road. That's why I am here - We want to do this and do it right with minimal issues so that we can be together.

Thank you.

[canadian_wife 1,831]

You seem worried, and I understand that. In the future, only the truth. If you met online, what's the big deal?

People are not denied entrance into the US because of a US girlfriend, they are denied because of lack of ties to their home country. A girlfriend in the US is a tie to the US, what reasons does she have that she must return to MX? She should carry those with her with every crossing to make it easier to apply for entrance.

good luck

[Ning25 619]

Ning, thank you for your reply.

Since she answered him that how we met was through a mutual friend (this is the only thing that concerns me) should we stick with that as they may have kept this on file? (she wasn't brought to the side for questioning or anything and didn't appear to be typing on his computer). Or the next time she visits if asked, we met online? It was a response that was not intended to turn into a trail of lies as she was just getting asked in numerous ways about a boyfriend and it's just what came out. I certainly do not want to raise any flags that will burn us later down the road. That's why I am here - We want to do this and do it right with minimal issues so that we can be together.

Thank you.

I agree that how you two met isn't a big deal. The response she gave was less than the truth but was adequate. Its also true that what is important in obtaining the visa is being able to prove the need to return to the country of origin.

She has to keep in mind that the general questions are asked to expose a lie because these officers are trained and experienced to be able to read people. That's why she was asked in different ways.

Her intention was to gain entry. Her answers were designed to be evasive because she was ignorant of the procedure and feared being turned away. There is a trail of lies even if she didn't realize she could be held accountable later. You are here now because you have come to understand what may happen if she is caught in this series of lies. It will only take one to bring the party to an end signaled by that red flag you spoke of.

All she has to do is tell the truth when she is questioned. This will result in her being able to relax and better understand how to use the visa until you two decide if you want to get a K 1. The fact that she has a track record of entry and exit is certainly a good thing. Two short visits indicate good intentions. If she had stayed a long time for example they would be asking a different set of questions and possibly revoke the visa but she didn't do that as many people do. From what you have said I assume she has a long term visa which will give you time to make decisions.

[matcha 0]

You seem worried, and I understand that. In the future, only the truth. If you met online, what's the big deal?

People are not denied entrance into the US because of a US girlfriend, they are denied because of lack of ties to their home country. A girlfriend in the US is a tie to the US, what reasons does she have that she must return to MX? She should carry those with her with every crossing to make it easier to apply for entrance.

good luck

I don't think meeting online is a big deal at all but like I said she just got overwhelmed with how he was asking the same question and just blurted out what seemed like the logical answer at the time - I just don't want that to be the half second mistake that ruins her ability to come here in the future. She has a very good job (for being in the country she is in) and rents out a room with a friend of hers, has all of her family there and wouldn't dream of doing anything illegal and neither would I (I don't even feel right taking the free penny out of the trays at 7-11).

I know there isn't a "cap" on how many times one can visit the U.S. in a year but do you think it is a bad idea for her to visit again sometime this year (being from mexico isn't an advantage for her either) or would that be "abusing" the tourist visa? I have been doing a LOT of research online and I'm getting conflicting answers. All we want is to do occasional visits for the time being and if everything continues to work out great move to the next level which would be the K1.

Thank you!

[Ning25 619]

I don't think meeting online is a big deal at all but like I said she just got overwhelmed with how he was asking the same question and just blurted out what seemed like the logical answer at the time - I just don't want that to be the half second mistake that ruins her ability to come here in the future. She has a very good job (for being in the country she is in) and rents out a room with a friend of hers, has all of her family there and wouldn't dream of doing anything illegal and neither would I (I don't even feel right taking the free penny out of the trays at 7-11).

I know there isn't a "cap" on how many times one can visit the U.S. in a year but do you think it is a bad idea for her to visit again sometime this year (being from mexico isn't an advantage for her either) or would that be "abusing" the tourist visa? I have been doing a LOT of research online and I'm getting conflicting answers. All we want is to do occasional visits for the time being and if everything continues to work out great move to the next level which would be the K1.

Thank you!

The fact that she has the visa is evidence enough that USCIS believed and still believes she will return. That's all she needs to continue to use her visa.

People are nervous as these questions are asked so the mistake she made didn't change anything and wont now. If they thought she was lying at the time she wouldn't have been granted entry so I suggest just getting past this area of concern. She can do better now that you have more complete info.

I don't think its a bad idea to try to visit again because she has only stayed a few days each time. This should serve to indicate to the officer what her intentions are. If asked she could say she is aware that if her relationship were to evolve to the right point she knows the legal procedure would be to seek a K 1 and that for now she has no intention of staying in the USA too long.

[aaron2020 11,652]

Hey all,

I am a U.S. female citizen who is dating a mexican citizen. We met online and have been talking for a few months shy of a year. She visited the U.S. twice - once in Jan 2014 for a few days and another time in April for a few days. Each time she put that she was visiting a friend. The second time though, the cbp officer was giving her a hard time and asked if she had a bf to which she replied no but he was trying to trick her into answering yes by continuing to ask or rephrasing the question. She said no each time and said that her friend (stating "she) is who she is visiting. He said "oh a lady friend huh?" to which she responded yes and asked her how we knew eachother and that we met through a mutual friend (which is not the case - we met online through a dating site). She was scared that she was going to be denied entry if she told him that we met online. So my questions are:

1. She stated that she is visitng a friend - is this truely considered lying if the officer did not ask if we were dating?

2. She told him that we met through a mutual friend when really we met online - will this come back to bite us?

3. She has already visited twice this year, would it be advisable for her to visit anymore? She has only been here for a total of 6 days between both trips and always has a return ticket. And if she were to visit again, if asked why she is visiting should she state her gf? I know they keep address info on file and it would be the same.

4. If she is denied entry due to dating a U.S. citizen how bad is that? Is this something that isn't a big deal as long as the next time she visits she has more evidence of ties? Or is this kept on record as a big deal and can cause issues in the future? The law is so ridiculously complex and of course not straight forward.

Our relationship is amazing and we talk ALL of the time - I have been down to MX to visit her as well for a few days. We are thinking about a fiance Visa since this would be our only option to be together in the U.S. (the relationship is 100% real).

If anyone can provide any information I would be so greatful! I am willing to do whatever I can for us to be together (legally of course).

Hi,

Lying is never a good idea at the POE. A denial of entry is way better than a lifetime ban for making a material misrepresentation.

To answer your questions and correct a few answers that seems wrong IMHO.

1. Not a problem if she didn't lie. It doesn't appeared that she did. If asked, "Visitinf GF?" And she said "No.", then she gets problems.

2. Lying about how you met is a misrepresentation. Its a lie. However, fortunately for your GF it was not a material misrepresentation. It doesn't matter how you met since its not relates to her visa.

3. How about the truth? CBP is probably experienced in picking out liars since it is their jobs. Don't insult their intelligence with a patten of travel that contradicts what she says.

4. How bad depends on what she says. Lying will always make it worse.

Lots of people visit their boyfriend and girlfriends in the US. Its normal. Lyingg about it will only raise suspicions among CBP who s jobs it is to look for liars trying to enter the US.

Tell your GF to relax, be truthfu!l, sdont try to be evasive and trying to outsmart CBP with wordplays like BF or GF. She is only raising suspicion about her.