Home at Last - was the Prayers Please, I'm Back thread

[gtalum]

How can they deny a U.S. citizen, who pays for their paychecks through taxes, access back into the U.S.? That doesnt make any sense...Certainly in my prayers...

He said his visa expired. I'm guessing he's not a US citizen. if he is, it's time to hire a good attorney because it would be highly illegal to disallow a US citizen to enter the country.

[Brent]

It's not the Canadian border patrol. They were friendly and actually smiled. It was the US border patrol. They never smiled, they said some real mean words, and really, we were treated as criminals. I really felt like they believed we were guilty and we had to be proved innocent. Anyway over a third of the motorists trying to come in were tagged down. I truly believe they were trained as if every motorist was a terrorist, and acted upon that belief, until each and every one was proved innocent.

We do not have any record of criminal activity. We were just missing a visa, it was too old since my family has not traveled outside the US since we came to the US in 1993. Lawyers, friends, and relatives all said it was okay. The border patrol rebutted with "lawyers are liers. we make the rules, not them. never listen to what they say" something like that.

I'm asking for prayers. I really want to return home.

This is strange.

[Miss Mary]

Urgent prayers coming from Cincinnati. We visited Canada twice, back to back summer vacations in 1994 and 95. They were not that strict back then, obviously.

Praying this is resolved, ASAP.

Mary

[wxmann_91]

thanks for the prayers

I am not a US citizen.

[Brent]

thanks for the prayers

I am not a US citizen.

Ohhhhhhhh.... that explains a lot.

[Skywatch_NC]

Jim, how are you and your parents holding up?

I know I'd be on the brink of an emotional and mental wreck so to say...even more so since I have Asperger Syndrome (which is high-functioning autism).

[Rainband]

Wow.. Prayers on the way.

[wxmann_91]

Jim, how are you and your parents holding up?

I know I'd be on the brink of an emotional and mental wreck so to say...even more so since I have Asperger Syndrome (which is high-functioning autism).

We're all tired and exhausted, not to say emotionally drained. Seriously, I don't know how I could get through this without the support and prayers from you guys. My parents are contacting all the lawyers in the vicinity, and are already thinking about me switching schools. Anyway, thanks so much.

[gtalum]

Unfortunately, a real hard-line stance on immigration ends up hurting people like wxmann_91, while leaving the intended targets mostly unscathed. A small oversight like an expired visa makes life hell when the government gets tough on immigration.

[wxmann_91]

thanks for the prayers

I am not a US citizen.

Ohhhhhhhh.... that explains a lot.

Why? One does not have to be a citizen to return to a country they have lived in for over a decade - and just leaving for a measly 10 days. Again, I repeat, although I am not a citizen, I have not ever left the US before July 5 of this year since I came to the U.S. in 1993.

[Janice]

Lots of prayers today coming from Puerto Rico.....

[wxmann_91]

Thanks Janice

Just learned the earliest date to apply for a new visa is 9/17 of this year. So we're looking for another way.

[WindRunner]

Wow . . . that's a little bit inconvenient, Jim. Don't know what I would do at all in your situation - it must be tough! I'm not even sure why you guys are having problems getting back in - shouldn't the passport prove that you've been here in the US for 13 years, without any problems whatsoever? This is ridiculous, to say the least. And no chance of even doing it the long way for another two months? Something needs to be done here . . . that's not right.

[TexasStooge]

Lots of prayers coming from Texas.

[wxmann_91]

Thanks Michael.

It's weird that my glasses which I have been wearing for two years just broke. And yesterday was the 13th. Oh well....

[tropicana]

I really hope you can get back home ok Jim. Not that Canada doesn't love having you, but I know if I went on a holiday, I'd be anxious to get back home too!

I really hope you guys get it all sorted out soon. Everything happens for a reason, and its not fair what you and your family who have done no wrong and went through the right ways of entering back into the US is being given such a hard time, when daily, there are people moving past the borders who are in criminal activity and are getting away with it.

So life isnt fair. But know you are in our prayers.

-justin-

[Skywatch_NC]

Thanks Michael.

It's weird that my glasses which I have been wearing for two years just broke. And yesterday was the 13th. Oh well....

Do you still have the pair that you wore before the pair that you wore for 2 years? In other words for "back-ups" until you can shop and get fitted for a new pair.

****

On second thought you probably don't and obviously can't shop for some until the US Border Patrol releases you and your parents.

[Aslkahuna]

If the issue is an expired visa then they are not US Citizens-only residents. There's more to this than meets the eye at this point. If naturalized citizens then it's a good idea to carry your papers with you for reentry into the Country. Also, one should always have an American Passport in hand when leaving the Country-though in my son's case, even that plus a certified copy of his birth certificate didn't save him from a hassle at the Border when he came back from Mexico (his Filipino features and tall slender build made him look "Mexican"). BTW, the BP agents are right-when it comes to immigration issues they are the ones who decide who may enter not some Jail house Lawyer. Immigration Law is a specialty that not many Lawyers are well versed in.

Steve

[wxmann_91]

Thanks for the support Justin, Eric, and Steve. I'm not buying new glasses until (if) I get back to the U.S.

An update - we're going for an urgent case visa, which will take only a day or less if they allow us to go this route. We have to get legal documents ready and then interview, all that junk, and if all goes well, we'll be home in a week. If that doesn't work applying at the regular pace for a visa takes 3 months. Either I miss the first month of school or I don't go home again.

BTW, we contacted another lawyer today and he said it was weird also, and that they should've allowed entry. However, given we aren't citizens of the US but have lived there for 13 years, the border police must've had enough suspicion to make us go back. Or at least that's what today's lawyer said.

[conestogo_flood]

Prayers from Ontario.

Mine as well set up camp, to immigrate to Canada you have to achieve a score of like 100 on a test. It's not hard, anyone is allowed to move here as long as they pass the test or have good reasoning. That reason can be same-sex marriage too... I wonder why we don't have uber strict immigration laws.