22 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
22 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

I Just Got Denied Access To The US

by Sea1c
19 replies
  • OFF TOPIC
    • |
LOL, I am meant to be in Florida right now for a job but the immigration guys denied me entrance at my local airport.

I am from Canada and was hired by a Canadian company to do some work for them in their American facility. They never bothered getting a work VISA, but then for the last 5 times they never bothered either. My boss who was with me, but went to a different inspection person, did not have a VISA and is, as we speak, in the air on his way.

I am not upset just have ranted and raved to my friends and family and still feel the need to tell people.

The immigration people are 100% right and just did their job, really it is the fault of the company who hired me as they are required to start the process but did not.

Unfortunately I doubt I will be able to join my boss and that is costing me money as I only get paid for what I do, so I am losing out of thousands for this job. But such is life.

Just felt like sharing. There is a feeling of let down after you have organized your life for going away for a week and then suddenly you don't. Also I was looking forward to the warmth.
  • Profile picture of the author glchandler
    Well, there is always that dirt road crossing the border just North of XXXXX, Montana.

    You could be on a bus or train within hours!!!!
    Signature

    There is never a BAD time to help those living with lousy kidneys!
    http://funds.gofundme.com/1oh40


    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3111246].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author thunderbird
    That is not surprising. Things aren't the same as they used to be.
    Signature

    Project HERE.

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3111276].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Sea1c
      Originally Posted by glchandler View Post

      Well, there is always that dirt road crossing the border just North of XXXXX, Montana.

      You could be on a bus or train within hours!!!!
      LOL. .....Be careful they are everywhere

      Originally Posted by thunderbird View Post

      That is not surprising. Things aren't the same as they used to be.
      Sadly true.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3111941].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author JoeCool
    Originally Posted by Sea1c View Post

    My boss who was with me, but went to a different inspection person, did not have a VISA and is, as we speak, in the air on his way.

    Our TSA tax dollars hard at work again.


    ~ JoeCool

    P.S. And we wonder why guys with bombs in their underwear are flying over our homes and families. Sheez!
    Signature

    My Favorite Charity .:: www.Unitus.com ::. Helping Third World Entrepreneurial Families Help Themselves.

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3111977].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Rich Struck
    A little birdie told me that a lot of people, computer types in particular, don't come to the US to work. They come here for vacations. Just sayin...
    Signature

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3112011].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Caleb Spilchen
    If you have a Canadian Passport, they should let you go... What if you said you were taking a vacation?

    Weird that they did that, I understand tho, with the work related thing.

    Caleb
    Signature

    Canadian Expat Living in Medellin, Colombia

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3113671].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Sea1c
      Originally Posted by Caleb Spilchen View Post

      If you have a Canadian Passport, they should let you go... What if you said you were taking a vacation?

      Weird that they did that, I understand tho, with the work related thing.

      Caleb
      Oh they would have let me in but I actually told the truth (I know.... I know) and that let me have the opportunity to sit in a waiting room for 4 hours before they told me no.

      The problem was that I was going down to do some work (Nothing to do with computers, my main job). I had been hired by a Canadian company to go down to their American site and do some engineering work, apparently as far as the border guys go you need a VISA to do this. The trouble is I had a few hand tools in my bag, so I did not want to say vacation in case they decided to have a look and find a bunch of tools , they would defiantly have some more interesting questions for me then.

      I see the whole point of security, but when you can tell that I am just a guy wanting to do some work and then come back to my family I would have thought the guard could use a bit more independent thought, are they sacred I would make a run and stay in America?..... with the state the American economy is in right now I don't think so....mind you Florida is nice this time of year...hmmmmm....light bulb!
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3115362].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author seasoned
        Originally Posted by Sea1c View Post

        Oh they would have let me in but I actually told the truth (I know.... I know) and that let me have the opportunity to sit in a waiting room for 4 hours before they told me no.

        The problem was that I was going down to do some work (Nothing to do with computers, my main job). I had been hired by a Canadian company to go down to their American site and do some engineering work, apparently as far as the border guys go you need a VISA to do this. The trouble is I had a few hand tools in my bag, so I did not want to say vacation in case they decided to have a look and find a bunch of tools , they would defiantly have some more interesting questions for me then.
        HEY, if a company wants you to work in a company they own, that is in the US, they can FAST TRACK a visa! I don't know if I ever knew a name for it, but intracompany employees can be fast tracked. But they DID follow the law. Your boss, if he had no visa, broke the law.

        I see the whole point of security, but when you can tell that I am just a guy wanting to do some work and then come back to my family I would have thought the guard could use a bit more independent thought, are they sacred I would make a run and stay in America?..... with the state the American economy is in right now I don't think so....mind you Florida is nice this time of year...hmmmmm....light bulb!
        HEY, THEY could be out of work if they let you break the law. Blame the company that hired you, or yourself, NOT the customs official. HEY, CANADIAN customs are STRICTER!

        And do you think I could go over to Canada as a worker with no visa? I DOUBT IT! BUT, again, I could visit, for a limited time, with no visa.

        Steve
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3116395].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author seasoned
      Originally Posted by Caleb Spilchen View Post

      If you have a Canadian Passport, they should let you go... What if you said you were taking a vacation?

      Weird that they did that, I understand tho, with the work related thing.

      Caleb
      The US, like many countries, INCLUDING those in the EU, DOES allow visa-less traveling for vacation to people from countries that are considered safe, etc... That INCLUDES canada! ***BUT*** you are only allowed to stay for a LIMITED time, and NOT allowed to work. If you want to stay longer, you need a visa, need to be a citizen, etc... If you want to work, you need a work permit, work visa, or to be a citizen.

      BTW just to illustrate the point, Mexican citizens are ALSO allowed to visit for a limited time, just like canadians. If they overstay, or work, they are ILLEGAL!

      Steve
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3116369].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Lazy
    Yeah, those canadian terrorists sure are a problem. :: rolls eyes ::

    What a bummer, man.
    Signature
    WARRIORS ONLY: Get up to 100,000 verified high PR backlinks as soon as tomorrow! RAVE REVIEWS!

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3113886].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author 82ana
    I'm from Toronto. I have a friend with Mohammad in his name (persian) and he has stopped visiting the states all together... because of the harassment. :/ Sad but true.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3117814].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author seasoned
      Originally Posted by 82ana View Post

      I'm from Toronto. I have a friend with Mohammad in his name (persian) and he has stopped visiting the states all together... because of the harassment. :/ Sad but true.
      They DON'T mistreat persians, etc... just for being persian. HECK, I have NEVER seen such a thing at the airport. With me, they sometimes act suspicious, I was once searched TWICE on the same leg of my trip. In fact, on that plane(I was searched in security(BEFORE the standard patdowns, and it included carryon bags), and before getting on the plane), I was the ONLY one searched a second time on the plane. HOW do I know? I was the first in line, and last on the plane. I once slipped up, and they threw my factory sealed/box of toothpaste away. I am ALSO searched. I don't go through the scanner, so I get a pat down. AND, on the plane, sometimes even people in first class aren't treated well. And I was once the one picked, on a plane of about 100 people, to go from first class to coach because of "weight/balance requirements"!

      So DON'T feel you get such treatment because you are persian!

      Now, if he is talking about someone ELSEWHERE in the country mistreating him. That is possible. What did he expect? Between xenophobia, the moslems that are terrorists, ones that want shria law, ones the sympathize with the terrorists, etc... It is to be expected. NO law or "education", etc... will get rid of that.

      MANY would have been happy if leaders merely spoke against the terrorism, when it started.

      Steve
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3118581].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author 82ana
        Originally Posted by seasoned View Post

        They DON'T mistreat persians, etc... just for being persian. HECK, I have NEVER seen such a thing at the airport. With me, they sometimes act suspicious, I was once searched TWICE on the same leg of my trip. In fact, on that plane(I was searched in security(BEFORE the standard patdowns, and it included carryon bags), and before getting on the plane), I was the ONLY one searched a second time on the plane. HOW do I know? I was the first in line, and last on the plane. I once slipped up, and they threw my factory sealed/box of toothpaste away. I am ALSO searched. I don't go through the scanner, so I get a pat down. AND, on the plane, sometimes even people in first class aren't treated well. And I was once the one picked, on a plane of about 100 people, to go from first class to coach because of "weight/balance requirements"!

        So DON'T feel you get such treatment because you are persian!

        Now, if he is talking about someone ELSEWHERE in the country mistreating him. That is possible. What did he expect? Between xenophobia, the moslems that are terrorists, ones that want shria law, ones the sympathize with the terrorists, etc... It is to be expected. NO law or "education", etc... will get rid of that.

        MANY would have been happy if leaders merely spoke against the terrorism, when it started.

        Steve
        You might be right Steve but that is his reality. People discriminate and so does TSA...
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3118984].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    This is not the time that anyone is going to take chances letting someone in to work if they don't have required papers. 1/6th of our population needs aid just to feed their families and illegal workers are a major political issue right now.

    Your company should reimburse you for your financial loss because of their negligence. Our gov has become so complicate with corporations that they often now feel (and not necessarily wrongfully so) that they are allowed to do anything they want to. Had it been some other issue besides employment you'd probably have had no problems.
    Signature

    Sal
    When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
    Beyond the Path

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3119046].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Caleb Spilchen
    They do discriminate against "Mohammad's".. All border places do, it's sad, but it's a fact. Ask Warrior Mohammad Afaq if he get's a shiny ride going through customs. he doesn't.

    Caleb
    Signature

    Canadian Expat Living in Medellin, Colombia

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3119065].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author HeySal
      Originally Posted by Caleb Spilchen View Post

      They do discriminate against "Mohammad's".. All border places do, it's sad, but it's a fact. Ask Warrior Mohammad Afaq if he get's a shiny ride going through customs. he doesn't.

      Caleb
      It is extremely sad - but when the terrorists are more than just a bit predominantly a particular origin and race, or prone to take names of that sector, it would be insane not to do some profiling. I'm sure it's a hassle for Mohammad, but I'm also sure he understands the caution. He doesn't want to fly with a bomber either. If it makes him feel better - nobody is safe from TSA perverts now.
      Signature

      Sal
      When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
      Beyond the Path

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3119214].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Caleb Spilchen
        Originally Posted by HeySal View Post

        It is extremely sad - but when the terrorists are more than just a bit predominantly a particular origin and race, or prone to take names of that sector, it would be insane not to do some profiling. I'm sure it's a hassle for Mohammad, but I'm also sure he understands the caution. He doesn't want to fly with a bomber either. If it makes him feel better - nobody is safe from TSA perverts now.
        I don't think it's just flying.. I told him he should come to Niagara Falls, and he said it would be horrible getting into Canada, like his car would automatically be searched.

        Whereas when I was there about a month or two ago, they just made us open our windows and we were through.

        Caleb
        Signature

        Canadian Expat Living in Medellin, Colombia

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3119273].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author seasoned
          Originally Posted by Caleb Spilchen View Post

          I don't think it's just flying.. I told him he should come to Niagara Falls, and he said it would be horrible getting into Canada, like his car would automatically be searched.

          Whereas when I was there about a month or two ago, they just made us open our windows and we were through.

          Caleb
          Well, if you're a canadian citizen, customs going into canada is probably a lot quicker. ALSO, the US and canada probably have pretty good relations, so movement of citizens from either country to the other, for a limited time and just to visit, is probably rather quick. But HEY, things change, etc...

          I fly out of a VERY small airport, only 1 terminal with 8 gates! Almost all the workers know me. It is NOT in any area anyone would consider a threat. Don't get me wrong though, the national guard flies fighters on the same landing strip, so if a foreign power tried to attack it they would get a run for their money. After 9/11 I saw a lot of fighters fly through there, so it was obvious that SOMEONE was serious about 9/11.

          I don't know if ANYONE ever even THOUGHT to attack that airport. The largest plane at the airport can probably carry just barely about 100 people. BUT, at one point, after 9/11, they searched everyone's cars! YEP, AT THE AIRPORT! It IS a small airport, but that could STILL be thousands of cars a day.

          Steve
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3120193].message }}

Trending Topics