Traveling to US with conviction

[DampCat]

But the Americans is the worst. I have had some thick idiots at border control ask me the most inane questions and look perfectly serious about it.

Really? I found them to care very little every time i've been. The last time I went, I flew ro LA for 2 weeks and then to SF for 2 weeks, I was in LAX on my way to SFO and the guy asked "Do you have any guns, loaded or unloaded weapons or ammunition?" My entirely truthful response was "No, but there are two swords in the black duffel bag". He said "That's not what I asked you son", gave me my passport back and pushed me along.

Proper security! I could never take a plane down with two swords.

 

[john_s]

But the Americans is the worst. I have had some thick idiots at border control ask me the most inane questions and look perfectly serious about it.

All I got asked at JFK was "what's the reason for your visit?". I just said "I'm on holiday", and he stamped my passport, handed it back, and said "have a good vacation".

A guy queuing further down got a right bollocking off a woman who was looking after the the queue in the immigration hall; she obviously fancied herself as a drill sergeant and bawled at this bloke "I SAID STAND ON THE YELLOW LINE, NOT TWO INCHES IN FRONT OF THE LINE... IF I WANTED YOU TWO INCHES IN FRONT OF IT, I'D HAVE ASKED YOU TO BE TWO INCHES IN FRONT OF THE YELLOW LINE..." She went on and on at the poor guy for ages.

 

[lucky13]

^^

That would be pretty funny to see but I would feel a large brick in my trousers if I was next in the queue for that lady.

Slightly OT, I was pretty nervous flying to calgary in Feb to visit my friend as I was alone had been up for over 24 hours and the customs lady was asking me where i was staying etc and i didnt know his exact address as he was meeting me at the airport. Still let me through but even just a few questions threw me off my guard especially when use to easy customs like Spain or somewhere.

 

[memyselfandi]

All I got asked at JFK was "what's the reason for your visit?". I just said "I'm on holiday", and he stamped my passport, handed it back, and said "have a good vacation".

A guy queuing further down got a right bollocking off a woman who was looking after the the queue in the immigration hall; she obviously fancied herself as a drill sergeant and bawled at this bloke "I SAID STAND ON THE YELLOW LINE, NOT TWO INCHES IN FRONT OF THE LINE... IF I WANTED YOU TWO INCHES IN FRONT OF IT, I'D HAVE ASKED YOU TO BE TWO INCHES IN FRONT OF THE YELLOW LINE..." She went on and on at the poor guy for ages.

Sounds exactly like when I went through JFK back in 2002 ... probably the same lady

 

[thedoc46]

What's the big deal about that though? Pesumably she paid the fine each time. There's no law about being banned because of an overstay.

If you're not allowed back into a country at the time of leaving it then it should state this on your passport when it is stamped. Otherwise you can go back no questions asked.

All depends how long you overstay, if it's over 180days they'll ban you for 10yrs.

 

[Bassmansam]

How do they find out his convictions? Is there a huge database they can access?

 

[MotherMayI]

My mate is planning to visit LA in 2 weeks and he has a conviction for ABH from back in 2006

i always thought if you had any criminal conviction you couldn't go to the US

and when i asked him about it he said all he is going to do is not declare it if they ask

it cant be that simple can it?
makes a mockery of the system imo

I went the legal route - Applied for a visa etc., and got banned for life due to a conviction. Same happened to my flat mate. My other friend who has a longer record than both of us (although, my flat mate had served some time inside) just got in fine without declaring anything. He had to lie a bit, but it worked out - Same happened to another friend, who has an even longer record including burglary, gbh, and other nasty offences.

If I was you, I wouldn't let him declare anything. Also, depending on when you're flying he might not even have a choice - When I went to apply for my visa to travel there it was over a 6 month waiting list for an embassy appointment. Just to show how strict the embassy is on granting visas - My flat mate who was banned is half American and has family over there, and I was planning on travelling over there for a family wedding for just a week. Both still denied.

 

[arknor]

Certain statutory exceptions may prevent a determination of ineligibility by
reason of a conviction for a crime involving moral turpitude. These
exceptions relate to:
(1) Crimes committed prior to age 18 (see 9 FAM 40.21(a) N8 and N9)

does that mean if you were under the age of 18 when you commited a crime of moral turpitude then they dont need to know?

ive been to america anyway but when i was 15 i was charged with burglary (breaking into someones garage in a block of garages)

yea i was scum but it was over 14 years ago and i was look out!

i only got caught because i didnt run but i was down the street nowhere near them anyway and i didnt look out because i just sat there talking to another guy i knew.

my solicitor said plead guilty because the "witness" lied and made out i was one of the lads trying to force the door.