E2 holders: tell all at the border ? You may pay the price

[Allan Oakley]

A friend and associate explained to me how difficult it is to go through immigration when you are British and here on an E-2 Visa. Trying to be honest but dealing with an American Immigration Officer who speaks American English. Of all things they claimed it is not so much the paperwork but it frequently is the language barrier. How easily an officer can misinterpret how you reply to many possible questions. She gave some typical examples so I thought it may be interrelating to start a list of never used words or statements during that interview:

1.What is the purpose of your visit? Right answer : I’m here temporarily managing a business I am own. Wrong answer: I’m here till my visa expires or till I can have it changed to something better.

2.How long do you plan to stay in America ? Right Answer: the date stamped on your documents. Wrong Answer : Till the date stamped on your documents but I hope that can change.

3.Do you own property in the United Kingdom ? Right Answer: Yes Wrong answer: we sold everything so we could move to America ( in this case the family had sold everything and the officer interpreted that to mean they never plan to move back. Always maintain a UK address. Even if it belongs to another family member )

4.Have you ever been charged with a criminal offense ? Right Answer: No Wrong Answer: I have had several parking tickets and minor speeding offenses but was never charged ( this sounds silly but the person I spoke with had a son who had all sorts of speeding tickets. He eventually paid a hefty fine and some court costs. He lost his driving permit for several months. They thought the American police would eventually find out so why deny it? The reality was the Immigration Officer grilled the teenage son and almost sent him back to the UK. There is no way any Immigration officer would have known anything. Remaining silent would have been a whole lot easier. Most certainly, never use the word Parole in any interview ?
5.Do you plan to live permanently in the United States ? Right Answer : no Wrong Answer: we are hoping to do that eventually.

I’m just paraphrasing these comments based on the experiences of a few individuals I have met that are frustrated by the E-2 Visa process. Telling them to shut up and say little after the fact is a too late. Seems that for some Immigration officers to hear you hope to live here permanently is like waving a red flag.

Anyone else have so do’s and don’t tips when crossing in to America ? Practical tips that may make it easier for E-2 Visa holders?

[DavidL]

Allan,

While I agree with many of your thoughts, I also believe that many of the Immigration officers are 'looking for fear' in those that come before them. As a reason, while the Immigration officers have a right to respect from the passengers before them, they have no right to intimidate any lawful person. On several occassions, I have asked to see the supervior about the treatment I get, but I am also mindful that they can wheel you into a room and get the rubber gloves out!!

[chris]

Here, here David. As an ex UK government employee and hence a civil servant, it should always be borne in mind by that group that they are just that a servant who should be civil. That also applies to our US colleagues who frequently behave like little hitlers at their little desks at the airports. However, it is of little use getting snappy back with them, rather better to ask to see their surpervisors as you suggested. I know of a Lady Property Manager who was on parole for her green card and was returning in to the US via Orlando. The INS as it was then tapped her numbers into the computer and they got gobbledyggok back. At which point they marched her into an office, having seperated her from her husband and proceeded to give the 3rd degree. Only when a supervisor came in and they were able to contact Texas INS directly did they realise that Texas INS had screwed up her documentation with a missing digit.
I beleive they apologised to her, but her parting shots were something to the effect of 'carry on like that lads and you'll have no visitors to deal with'. I am at a loss to understand the American mindset these days. A US senator opposed to the extreme right wing attitude to the reform remarked that they were trying to turn America into one giant Gated Community. I think it is getting that way. I believe the sooner America realizes that they are generally disliked throughout the whole world and are not seen as the goody goody friendly yanks of old, they may begin to change. But then again, only 10% of Americans hold US passports and therefore their personal experience of world travel is limited to say the least. Perhaps if they did, they may begin to realize it pays to be nice.
Chris
PS I speak Queens English and if that's not good enough for them - tough!

[Allan Oakley]

Chris you said
I am at a loss to understand the American mindset these days. A US senator opposed to the extreme right wing attitude to the reform remarked that they were trying to turn America into one giant Gated Community. I think it is getting that way. I believe the sooner America realizes that they are generally disliked throughout the whole world and are not seen as the goody goody friendly yanks of old, they may begin to change. But then again, only 10% of Americans hold US passports and therefore their personal experience of world travel is limited to say the least. Perhaps if they did, they may begin to realize it pays to be nice.
Chris
PS I speak Queens English and if that's not good enough for them - tough![/QUOTE]

The mind set is easy to explain.America is tired of pandering to foreign nationals from countries that harbor terrorists under the guise of being humanitarian.

Disliked around the world and yet more people immigrate here then any other country on earth. More illegals try to move here to enjoy this horrid lifestyle that a free society offers. America is not disliked around the world.The threat of the American way of life is disliked around the way by millions upon millions of militants and terrorists who get to laugh at the way of life in the UK and similar countries by making a mockery of your lax immigration laws.They are not lining up to leave America for the UK.

Speak the Queens English ......and how is that working out for you lately?

[chris]

In response to Allan's critique of my comments. My comment about the mindset of the Americans is that since 911, many Americans, as much prompted by the authorities and the media, seem to view all foreigners as terrorists and treat them with suspicion, etc, especially at ports of entry, etc. That is not how it used to be and simply because of 911, that it not how it should be. To be fair, America has always been a welcoming country. But it no longer as welcoming as it once was. People from all walks of life come to live in America to experience the 'American Dream', which unfortunately for many is all it ever turns out to be - a dream. I know for a fcat that many UK people who live here and make a living here, enjoy the country, not because of its people. The point I was trying to make about being disliked in the world, is admittedly a generalisation, after all the UK is still its friend, but generally the policies and behaviour of the US authorities on the world stage in recent years have not endeared itself to many countries including their nationals. Many US nationals do not travel abroad, so by default have very little understanding of the 'world', including how the US is perceived. By getting out a little more, a better understanding may happen. I agree that many countries do have a lax attitiude toward immigration and terrorists, I do believe your own country of Canada has just such a reputation.

[Bobby]

I agree that the Americans are extremely insular and perhaps a little more worldy travel would open their eyes to how they are perceived abroad. Good or bad.

Post 9/11, it is understandable that the authorities became overly paranoid and tarred EVERY immigrant with the same brush. Though, slightly unfair for those countries that do not harbor resentments towards the USA.

It is a fact that the US is no longer as welcoming as it was, with immigration reform tightening the borders, and even tourist traffic. There's no argument against the fact that less and less people are able to immigrate here legally in the last 4 years. The figures are clear, so I don't know why anyone would get the hump about this fact being posted??

I think that the longer you stay here the more you feel that you aren't wanted here in the first place, ...........or they wouldn't put so many obstacles in your way.
Obviously we all hope that things can change for the better and those who are attempting to immigrate legally are shown a little bit more compassion than of late.

Bobby

[Kriz1]

I've always felt welcome..at all the Gov offices we have been too we have always been welcomed to the USA..the first time being at the airport...I'm always being told by Americans how happy they are that we made the US our home..

[Allan Oakley]

That's why I left Canada. It is one of the most socialist countries in the world and yet America takes no note of it.Canadians are welcome in Cuba with open arms as the governments are so similar and yet America hates Cuba and loves Canada.I'm guessing it is because Canada has more oil then Saudi Arabia. I love America as everone who lives here, without breaking the law, is welcomed for the most part. America applauds hard workers and those that pursue the dream and are succesfull. No denying Americans do not tolerate failure to well. Want to agitate an average American? Threaten their way of life. When Americans read that countries like Canada,the UK and much of western Europe permit public displays of the hatred of their respective cultures it is very unsettling. I remember reading about that Muslim cleric in Birmingham that openly advocate the death of the PM and the entire royal family.In America that is an open ticket to Guantanomo Bay.In the UK that is freedom of expression. Thank God for America !

[chris]

Rightly or wrongly isn't that freedom of expression which America goes to great leangths to tell the world it supports. I've lost track of the number of times that the President has reminded us of how you critics get to say what they say simply because they are in America where they have those freedoms. I don not agree with or support the views expressed by some of the factions out there and do not condone advocating death to Tony Blair or the President either, but if a country says it has freedom, then surely it should mean just that. Democracy is allowing the other persons view even if you don't agree with it. Stopping the other persons view from being heard because you don't agree with it is a dictatorship or one step away from it. Yes the Looney Tunes should be locked up.
I think for the most part Brits like Americans and vice versa, you get bad apples in both tubs. I believe what has pipped many Brits about the Americans is, for the one country that has stood steadfastly alongside the US and lost many brave lad and lasses in recent and ongoing conflicts, that they should receive such shoddy treatment by the US Authorities, when all they are trying to do is improve theirs and their childrens lives and contribute to the US nation. This is hurt is further conpounded when the 12,000,000 illegals get a voice and are heard in the media and Washington and special treatment 'will' be given to them to allow for permanancy. This set against a scenario of a growing culture that is not following the lead of past generations in integrating in to the fabric of the USA and simply creating an alternative US culture. As most Americans are conservative indivuduals, I know this does not sit easily with them and has helped create this 'anti-feeling' on immigration. And we get hit with the fallout.
I hope you can see that for many Brits the anger is from frustration rather than resentment