US Tourist Visa Application: How Stupid Can They Get?
Jan 30, 2012, 6:17 pm
#46
Moderator: Manufactured Spending
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I have a feeling that when I first visited the US, there was a question on what was the equivalent of the I.94 form along the lines:
Are you or have you ever been a member of the Communist party?
I always wondered if anyone was stupid enough ever to check the box (even if they were)?
Are you or have you ever been a member of the Communist party?
I always wondered if anyone was stupid enough ever to check the box (even if they were)?
Jan 30, 2012, 6:22 pm
#47
Moderator: Manufactured Spending
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No, that is not correct at all. Read the regulations that I posted up thread. Just being arrested does NOT make you ineligible to use the Visa Waiver Program. You have to read the actual regulations and the laws. The website has incorrect information. I can not make it any clearer. My job is to enforce these laws. I have personally admitted many many people that have been arrested but not convicted under the Visa Waiver Program. Actually, issuing these folks a visa if they were not intending to stay longer than 90 days would be unusual.
FB
FB
Jan 30, 2012, 7:23 pm
#48
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That actually makes sense. They had no problems with her, they had problems with a tourist visa for her because they figured she might overstay.
Jan 30, 2012, 7:42 pm
#49
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Jan 31, 2012, 7:50 am
#50
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I think the embassies are just being overly cautious. They probably figure that even if you are eligible for VWP, there is no harm in getting a visa, so if there is anything suspicious or questionable in your past it's safer to just get one. To them, it's probably too much hassle to figure out which arrests and convictions disqualify you and which don't, so they just tell everyone to get one. They don't want to be held responsible if you get denied entry. The fact that CBP has a reputation in some circles of treating foreigners in an arbitrary and heavy-handed way probably fuels this sentiment further.
They couldn't possibly be lazy or poorly trained.
Makes sense to me.
Jan 31, 2012, 12:20 pm
#51
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I have a feeling that when I first visited the US, there was a question on what was the equivalent of the I.94 form along the lines:
Are you or have you ever been a member of the Communist party?
I always wondered if anyone was stupid enough ever to check the box (even if they were)?
Are you or have you ever been a member of the Communist party?
I always wondered if anyone was stupid enough ever to check the box (even if they were)?
The same process probably still applies today to those who answer yes to intending to assassinate the President. Let them in once, and if they come back without having assassinated the President it's safe to let them back in as they must be either lying about their intentions or incompetent at the task.
Jan 31, 2012, 12:26 pm
#52
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 471
Yes, I personally know of one such person, a close friend of mine. According to him (and I believe him, he is very honest) he did answer yes. He was summoned for an interview with the consul, who wanted to know the nature of his visit to the U.S. (academic conference), and asked why he answered affirmatively to that question, to which my friend say "because it's true". The consul was puzzled, saying "but you know, most people in your circumstances would not have answered yes". Anyway, my friend was issued a single-entry visa with a bunch of codes on it. Those codes prompted the inspector at the border to dig out his books and read a lot before admitting my friend. All went well with the visit. On the next visit, he applied again for a visa using the same process and again answered yes to the communist question, and was given an unlimited multiple-entry visa. They must have figured out he was no threat.
The same process probably still applies today to those who answer yes to intending to assassinate the President. Let them in once, and if they come back without having assassinated the President it's safe to let them back in as they must be either lying about their intentions or incompetent at the task.
The same process probably still applies today to those who answer yes to intending to assassinate the President. Let them in once, and if they come back without having assassinated the President it's safe to let them back in as they must be either lying about their intentions or incompetent at the task.
Sorry, I couldn't resist.
Jan 31, 2012, 1:08 pm
#53
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Jan 31, 2012, 1:15 pm
#54
Join Date: Mar 2011
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The red scare has been dead for so long I don't think that question would raise any flags anymore. But the early to mid 80s were a different story.
Feb 1, 2012, 5:32 pm
#55
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What makes you think they are well-trained? I have heard of immigration attorneys wrongly advising people that they are eligible for VWP.
Feb 2, 2012, 8:11 am
#56
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Feb 3, 2012, 2:28 pm
#57
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"... you may..." (May??! ) "...be denied entry to the US."Wow.
