tyrian

Thank you for your response.

When I fly to the US, I can never use the Automatic Check-in machines - I always have to go to a counter to check-in. The person behind the counter often has to call "someone". But I'm always let through.

Tyrian

meauxna

No need to apologize; you had no way of knowing he is an attorney (if that makes a difference to your opinion of his comment).

Ginblossom

That isn't necessary a watch-list type of deal, believe me, if there were issues with redflags in the system, you wouldn't have had the hassle-free travel you have had up to this point.

If you were a "problem," they wouldn't let you fly.

tyrian

lansbury,

Thank you for your response. That could very well be the case, in which case I accept responsibility for not doing things the right way.

However, in January I returned a retained I-94 card to the DHS in Kentucky (three weeks before it was due to expire) with all necessary evidence to indicate my departure from the US. I'd like to find out from DHS TRIP if this was entered into my record.

Tyrian

lifehouse51

Read a bit further on Step 3 - What Happens after your Inquiry is submitted: http://www.dhs.gov/files/programs/gc_1169827489374.shtm

They need your signed inquiry acknowledgement form and copy of passport at the least within 30 days of complaint submission. I also scanned any supporting documents and emailed to them.

Roxio

I am an LPR of Pakistani origin.I travelled outside of US 4 times in 2 years and each time was escorted to secondary screening.
So I decided to file a complaint with DHS TRIP and they asked me to submit various docs etc.It took forever for them to complete the process.
During the process I travelled again but I noticed that the time spent at SS was getting shorter each time untill I received a letter from DHS saying the process was done and case was 'closed'.
After that when I travelled again. there was no SS upon return.Felt so much relieved.

lifehouse51

Interesting, so at least it DID work for some people...you don't know how much I hated secondary screening, especially when I schedule my domestic connection flights I have to anticipate a longer time to go through immigration.

Do you remembe approx how long it took? Closer one month? 3 Months? 6 months? When they asked you to submit additional documents was it through emails or snail mail?

Roxio

All the documents they required were sent by snail mail.But DHS was slow in its process,very slow,I think it took 5 months for them to close the case.
I came across an article by one DHS director saying the process has not been upto the mark and only about 21% of the complainants had actually got their names cleared.Rest are still stuck in the process.

nettlebed

I got mine cleared. Took about 3-4 months from submission. I am a USC though: I don't know if that means I got faster service. I doubt it.

tyrian

Looks like I'll need to visit the US at the end of May for five days to attend a conference and give a paper (on my employer's behalf). As well as filling a DHS TRIP query, I'll apply for a B1 visa

I've just been running down the requirements, and I need to show sufficient ties to Canada. Given that all my family are in the UK, I only have my employment contract, bank & credit card statements, rental agreement, and auto insurance documents to show my ties to Canada.

Will that be enough?

I've looked at the waiting times for appointments at the US Embassy in Toronto - 6 to 8 weeks! I guess I'll need to plan in advance

Tyrian

Noorah101

Only the officer at your interview will know for sure. You can only bring what you have.

Rene

md95065

Actually what you need to show are sufficient ties to some place outside of the US to overcome the presumption of "immigrant intent" - it doesn't have to be Canada. Since you are only in Canada on a "temporary work permit" it wouldn't hurt to also show evidence of your ties to the UK and (presumably) your intention to ultimately return there.

tyrian

I wanted to give everyone an update. I had an interview for a B1/B2 visa at the Toronto consulate yesterday. The person behind the counter said that I was eligible for a visa, but needed to find out why I was refused Visa Waiver entry to the US. She gave me a "Notice of Suspension" form 221g, with a box "Administrative Review" ticked.

She said it would be one to two months before they got back to me by email.

Looks like I won't be going to the conference in NY at the end of May

Tyrian

lifehouse51

Geez, that sucks, but I got a feeling it'll be approved...hopefully they'll approve the B visa for ten years, then you won't have to worry much about reappying so soon.

By the way, I got back a reply from DHS TRIP a little over one month after I submitted the documents. It's in this thread: http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=663288
Bottom line is, the letter was generic, and DHS will neither confirm nor deny that they have adjusted anything in my record. And I'll neither know or not know whether I'll still be required to go through secondary screening in the future.

Roxio

Talking about DHS Trip,just for your info,I travelled from London Heathrow to Chicago last night with a green card,knowing that my TRIP was 'redressed' about an year ago,the immigration still sent me to the secondary for 3/4 questions but was let go after 15 mins.
So this proves,even after you are cleared by TRIP,you can still make a trip to the secondary,as I did last night.