Patch44
May 15, 12, 10:36 am
Hi, I work on yachts and about a year ago my troubles started. I flew into the USA with the intention of joining a yacht as Captain. I had a letter from the owner stating that I would be joining the yacht and that the yacht was departing to the British Virgen Islands on a charter in 2 days. The yacht in question was USA Flagged but not Coast Guard Inspected and operated as a charter boat outside of USA waters.
I tried to enter on a C1D Visa as I was joining a charter boat and this is the visa I am led to believe is necessary when on a charter boat. I also have a B1B2 visa. I was refused entry and they began filling out the forms for the deportation process ignoring my protests. I refused to sign the paperwork and instead "volunterally recinded my application to enter the USA" and the Homeland Security Officer crossed out and cancelled my C1D Visa.
Around six weeks later I re-entered the USA at the same Island, St Thomas but this time by private boat. The boat was USA flagged but foriegn based, and yes, I had been Flagged. Myself and the rest of the crew were placed in handcuffs for our own personal safety and frisked and then driven to the airport and processed for deportation, by the same official as the last time.
We refused to sign and demanded to speak to his supervisor who eventually came and apologised for the mistake and allowed us entry.
The problem I have is that it takes me about three hours to clear USA Immigration which is a real pain in the ......Is there anyone or any Official office in the USA who I can speak to to get my name cleared and the "FLAG" removed from my passport? And would it be possible to have my C1D Visa re-instated?
I tried to enter on a C1D Visa as I was joining a charter boat and this is the visa I am led to believe is necessary when on a charter boat. I also have a B1B2 visa. I was refused entry and they began filling out the forms for the deportation process ignoring my protests. I refused to sign the paperwork and instead "volunterally recinded my application to enter the USA" and the Homeland Security Officer crossed out and cancelled my C1D Visa.
Around six weeks later I re-entered the USA at the same Island, St Thomas but this time by private boat. The boat was USA flagged but foriegn based, and yes, I had been Flagged. Myself and the rest of the crew were placed in handcuffs for our own personal safety and frisked and then driven to the airport and processed for deportation, by the same official as the last time.
We refused to sign and demanded to speak to his supervisor who eventually came and apologised for the mistake and allowed us entry.
The problem I have is that it takes me about three hours to clear USA Immigration which is a real pain in the ......Is there anyone or any Official office in the USA who I can speak to to get my name cleared and the "FLAG" removed from my passport? And would it be possible to have my C1D Visa re-instated?