Originally Posted by
unagi1
If they are legitimate visitors under the visa waiver program (or even with visas), was any reason(s) given?
I knew 2 women, who have working visas - they are university lecturers, and occasionally come to the US to give talks. They have entered the US before, but apparently the last time the INS officer didn't like their reasons for coming and turned back one woman, and on another occasion, held one in a cell for a couple of hours at ATL airport. She was eventually allowed entry on the condition that she not give any more talks... even though she has a visa allowing her to do so. She was so shaken that she swore never to step foot into the USA again.
On another occasion, and one which is still pending, a friend, who is caucasian, aged 54, was travelling frequently to S Carolina via JFK to see his fiancee. They have even bought a house. But last June, he was denied entry at JFK because the INS officer said that he had been taking advantage of his visa=free status and that he has to apply for a proper visa if he intends to return to the US. He was escorted back to the plane and returned to the UK. So he married his fiancee in UK in Sept, and applied for a permenant residence to the US. Meanwhile, the UK has granted residency to his wife, while he is still waiting for his visa to be approved.
What was ridiculous was this... his wife suffered some severe cramps due to food poisoning and had to have emergency surgery. In fact where she is located (in their house in the USA), it is impossible for anyone to just pop in to check on her. My friend had to call the Sheriff's office in that town, because he couldn't call 911 from UK. The Sheriff's office broke the door down and took the wife to the hospital. With the sheriff's letter, doctor's letter, and various other departments' letters, my friend went to the US consulate to ask for a temporary visa to see his wife due to the severity of the situation.
Guess what? He was turned down! He was told that they have no guarantee that he would return to the UK when she is better !
He is still waiting for his Green Card.... and his wife is in the US and travels frequently to the UK whenever work permits her to.