Almost sent back on first plane home
Jul 22nd 2014, 2:06 am
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 16
Almost sent back on first plane home
This is a story I'd like to share and hopefully not worry any future Brits ready to make the move to the USA.
Basically, I married my American wife here in California over two years ago and she decided to pack her bags and move to England instead.
After several months of eagerly awaiting her UK Spouse Visa it was decided we're spend the rest of our life in the States.
Our son; born in the UK has dual citizenship and at the US Embassy in London when we was sorting out his passport, my wife asked, 'What procedure we should take getting my Green Card?'
The reply was positive and after finding out that I was married in the States we could apply for all of that once I moved.
After a long flight via Iceland and before heading to Sacramento we landed at Seattle and at Homeland Security I received a 'red card', after explaining my story and saying that I had a meeting with immigration on Friday.
Another Officer was ready to send me on the first plane back to Heathrow after saying that I should have done more research about moving to the USA. However, since I was travelling with my young son and wife he granted me a four-month Visa only if I would book a flight home in his presence so they knew genuinely I was going to go back.
He thought he was doing me a favor and I guess he was, but you can imagine how horrible I felt for the next few days knowing I'd have to return to the UK leaving my wife and 4-month-old son behind.
Then, on that Friday I went for my immigration interview and tho' and behold', Immigration in Sacramento said, 'That they had never heard so much rubbish' and we was in the right and the Homeland Security Guard in the wrong.
Six weeks later I applied for my Green and Residence Card and it took just three months to get here.
Imagine the hassle if I had to return to the UK and the much likelier further delay on moving to the States.
Basically, I married my American wife here in California over two years ago and she decided to pack her bags and move to England instead.
After several months of eagerly awaiting her UK Spouse Visa it was decided we're spend the rest of our life in the States.
Our son; born in the UK has dual citizenship and at the US Embassy in London when we was sorting out his passport, my wife asked, 'What procedure we should take getting my Green Card?'
The reply was positive and after finding out that I was married in the States we could apply for all of that once I moved.
After a long flight via Iceland and before heading to Sacramento we landed at Seattle and at Homeland Security I received a 'red card', after explaining my story and saying that I had a meeting with immigration on Friday.
Another Officer was ready to send me on the first plane back to Heathrow after saying that I should have done more research about moving to the USA. However, since I was travelling with my young son and wife he granted me a four-month Visa only if I would book a flight home in his presence so they knew genuinely I was going to go back.
He thought he was doing me a favor and I guess he was, but you can imagine how horrible I felt for the next few days knowing I'd have to return to the UK leaving my wife and 4-month-old son behind.
Then, on that Friday I went for my immigration interview and tho' and behold', Immigration in Sacramento said, 'That they had never heard so much rubbish' and we was in the right and the Homeland Security Guard in the wrong.
Six weeks later I applied for my Green and Residence Card and it took just three months to get here.
Imagine the hassle if I had to return to the UK and the much likelier further delay on moving to the States.
Last edited by Freddy_Fulham; Jul 22nd 2014 at 2:08 am.
Jul 22nd 2014, 2:10 am
#2
BE Commentator
Joined: Feb 2010
Location: Los Angeles, California
Posts: 8,424
Re: Almost sent back on first plane home
Congratulations on your incredible lucky result.
Jul 22nd 2014, 3:19 am
#3
Account Closed
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2
Re: Almost sent back on first plane home
Somebody was certainly looking after you.
Jul 22nd 2014, 3:34 am
#5
MODERATOR
Joined: Apr 2003
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Posts: 58,679
Re: Almost sent back on first plane home
What was this "immigration interview" you had on that Friday? What was that for?
Rene
Rene
Jul 22nd 2014, 3:39 am
#6
American Expat
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 7,598
Re: Almost sent back on first plane home
This is a story I'd like to share and hopefully not worry any future Brits ready to make the move to the USA.
Basically, I married my American wife here in California over two years ago and she decided to pack her bags and move to England instead.
After several months of eagerly awaiting her UK Spouse Visa it was decided we're spend the rest of our life in the States.
Our son; born in the UK has dual citizenship and at the US Embassy in London when we was sorting out his passport, my wife asked, 'What procedure we should take getting my Green Card?'
The reply was positive and after finding out that I was married in the States we could apply for all of that once I moved.
After a long flight via Iceland and before heading to Sacramento we landed at Seattle and at Homeland Security I received a 'red card', after explaining my story and saying that I had a meeting with immigration on Friday.
Another Officer was ready to send me on the first plane back to Heathrow after saying that I should have done more research about moving to the USA. However, since I was travelling with my young son and wife he granted me a four-month Visa only if I would book a flight home in his presence so they knew genuinely I was going to go back.
He thought he was doing me a favor and I guess he was, but you can imagine how horrible I felt for the next few days knowing I'd have to return to the UK leaving my wife and 4-month-old son behind.
Then, on that Friday I went for my immigration interview and tho' and behold', Immigration in Sacramento said, 'That they had never heard so much rubbish' and we was in the right and the Homeland Security Guard in the wrong.
Six weeks later I applied for my Green and Residence Card and it took just three months to get here.
Imagine the hassle if I had to return to the UK and the much likelier further delay on moving to the States.
Basically, I married my American wife here in California over two years ago and she decided to pack her bags and move to England instead.
After several months of eagerly awaiting her UK Spouse Visa it was decided we're spend the rest of our life in the States.
Our son; born in the UK has dual citizenship and at the US Embassy in London when we was sorting out his passport, my wife asked, 'What procedure we should take getting my Green Card?'
The reply was positive and after finding out that I was married in the States we could apply for all of that once I moved.
After a long flight via Iceland and before heading to Sacramento we landed at Seattle and at Homeland Security I received a 'red card', after explaining my story and saying that I had a meeting with immigration on Friday.
Another Officer was ready to send me on the first plane back to Heathrow after saying that I should have done more research about moving to the USA. However, since I was travelling with my young son and wife he granted me a four-month Visa only if I would book a flight home in his presence so they knew genuinely I was going to go back.
He thought he was doing me a favor and I guess he was, but you can imagine how horrible I felt for the next few days knowing I'd have to return to the UK leaving my wife and 4-month-old son behind.
Then, on that Friday I went for my immigration interview and tho' and behold', Immigration in Sacramento said, 'That they had never heard so much rubbish' and we was in the right and the Homeland Security Guard in the wrong.
Six weeks later I applied for my Green and Residence Card and it took just three months to get here.
Imagine the hassle if I had to return to the UK and the much likelier further delay on moving to the States.
Jul 22nd 2014, 4:43 am
#7
BE Commentator
Joined: Feb 2010
Location: Los Angeles, California
Posts: 8,424
Re: Almost sent back on first plane home
BTW, I saw no reference to a "consular officer" in the scenario. Diplomatic posts have "FSN" employees who do most of the public interface.
Jul 22nd 2014, 4:53 am
#8
Are we there yet?
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: 31 miles from Cool (California)
Posts: 2,467
Re: Almost sent back on first plane home
This is a story I'd like to share and hopefully not worry any future Brits ready to make the move to the USA.
Basically, I married my American wife here in California over two years ago and she decided to pack her bags and move to England instead.
After several months of eagerly awaiting her UK Spouse Visa it was decided we're spend the rest of our life in the States.
Our son; born in the UK has dual citizenship and at the US Embassy in London when we was sorting out his passport, my wife asked, 'What procedure we should take getting my Green Card?'
The reply was positive and after finding out that I was married in the States we could apply for all of that once I moved.
After a long flight via Iceland and before heading to Sacramento we landed at Seattle and at Homeland Security I received a 'red card', after explaining my story and saying that I had a meeting with immigration on Friday.
Another Officer was ready to send me on the first plane back to Heathrow after saying that I should have done more research about moving to the USA. However, since I was travelling with my young son and wife he granted me a four-month Visa only if I would book a flight home in his presence so they knew genuinely I was going to go back.
He thought he was doing me a favor and I guess he was, but you can imagine how horrible I felt for the next few days knowing I'd have to return to the UK leaving my wife and 4-month-old son behind.
Then, on that Friday I went for my immigration interview and tho' and behold', Immigration in Sacramento said, 'That they had never heard so much rubbish' and we was in the right and the Homeland Security Guard in the wrong.
Six weeks later I applied for my Green and Residence Card and it took just three months to get here.
Imagine the hassle if I had to return to the UK and the much likelier further delay on moving to the States.
Basically, I married my American wife here in California over two years ago and she decided to pack her bags and move to England instead.
After several months of eagerly awaiting her UK Spouse Visa it was decided we're spend the rest of our life in the States.
Our son; born in the UK has dual citizenship and at the US Embassy in London when we was sorting out his passport, my wife asked, 'What procedure we should take getting my Green Card?'
The reply was positive and after finding out that I was married in the States we could apply for all of that once I moved.
After a long flight via Iceland and before heading to Sacramento we landed at Seattle and at Homeland Security I received a 'red card', after explaining my story and saying that I had a meeting with immigration on Friday.
Another Officer was ready to send me on the first plane back to Heathrow after saying that I should have done more research about moving to the USA. However, since I was travelling with my young son and wife he granted me a four-month Visa only if I would book a flight home in his presence so they knew genuinely I was going to go back.
He thought he was doing me a favor and I guess he was, but you can imagine how horrible I felt for the next few days knowing I'd have to return to the UK leaving my wife and 4-month-old son behind.
Then, on that Friday I went for my immigration interview and tho' and behold', Immigration in Sacramento said, 'That they had never heard so much rubbish' and we was in the right and the Homeland Security Guard in the wrong.
Six weeks later I applied for my Green and Residence Card and it took just three months to get here.
Imagine the hassle if I had to return to the UK and the much likelier further delay on moving to the States.
Jul 22nd 2014, 12:46 pm
#10
Account Closed
Joined: Aug 2002
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 38,865
Re: Almost sent back on first plane home
Imagine the hassle if I had to return to the UK and the much likelier further delay on moving to the States.
Ian
Jul 22nd 2014, 1:11 pm
#11
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2008
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 10,678
Re: Almost sent back on first plane home
+1
The OP got lucky in several ways especially having a CBP officer let him enter the US when the OP had intent to remain and am interviewing officer that either didn't know the law or decided not to enforce the law.
The OP got lucky in several ways especially having a CBP officer let him enter the US when the OP had intent to remain and am interviewing officer that either didn't know the law or decided not to enforce the law.
Jul 22nd 2014, 2:10 pm
#12
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 574
Re: Almost sent back on first plane home
What "4 month visa" can you get at the POE? I guess this was a humanitarian parole?
What "immigration interview" can you get before actually applying for LPR status? I guess this was an INFOpass?
What "immigration interview" can you get before actually applying for LPR status? I guess this was an INFOpass?
Jul 22nd 2014, 3:13 pm
#13
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2008
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 10,678
Re: Almost sent back on first plane home
I assumed that he was just using incorrect terminology and meant he already had the adjustment of status interview but that is unlikely since that usually takes longer than 4 months.
Jul 22nd 2014, 9:27 pm
#14
Often not so civil...
Joined: Apr 2010
Location: The Boonies, GA
Posts: 9,561
Re: Almost sent back on first plane home
Wow. This really could (and should) have ended in disaster - I would advise anyone who lands here as a result of a search to NOT do this and to do things the right way.
Jul 22nd 2014, 9:47 pm
#15
Are we there yet?
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: 31 miles from Cool (California)
Posts: 2,467
Re: Almost sent back on first plane home
The proper procedure would be for the American spouse to apply for an immigrant visa petition (via form I-130) before the UK citizen leaves the UK.
The application is processed (medicals and interviews are conducted in the UK) and if granted, the UK spouse can then move to the states.
