Tonish
 United Kingdom
307 Posts
Joined: 17 Jan 2005
Status: offline |  Posted - 02 Feb 2008 : 22:56:04  
| Just came across this on another site:
Detained in US because of missing departure card
Carole Humphrey from London wrote
I travel to the United States several times a year on business. Last October, when I arrived at JFK airport in New York, I was detained by immigration officers. I was told to go into a room and, when I asked what was going on, I was told to wait my turn. There were no other passengers in the room.
The officials were rude, unhelpful and jingoistic. In the end, I lost my temper (it was 2am) and they threatened to send me back to London if I did not shut up. So I sat and read my book for half an hour, while they took their time doing very little except talk very loudly about me.
Eventually, I was told that US Immigration records did not show a departure from the US after a visit that commenced on September 23, 1997. I explained that Immigration in San Francisco - where the officers seemed pleasant and efficient - had informed me of this six months previously and had said they would sort it out. However, the officers at JFK said the problem had not been sorted out.
I had not handed in my green departure record when I left New York in 1997, but it had been removed on entry at Los Angeles airport in 1998 (Immigration has a record of this on its computer). The officers at JFK ultimately agreed that it was a clerical error. I was allowed into the country after an hour of deliberation, but they said they could not fix the problem.
I was given an address in Kentucky to write to with proof that I did not overstay my 1997 visit. I sent this to the US by courier in January, but I have had no response and there is no number to call. How do I know that I will not be detained by Immigration on my next visit?
Gill's response
Yours is one of dozens of letters The Daily Telegraph has received from readers who have encountered rudeness and aggression from US Immigration officials at JFK airport.
If you sent your letter to this address - ACS-USCIS, SBU, PO Box 7125, London, Kentucky 40742-7125, USA - your record should have been corrected.
However, no acknowledgement or confirmation that all is now well will be sent. Because of this, the US Consulate in London recommends that you take copies of the covering letter, proof of posting or courier delivery, and copies of documentation proving you returned to Britain in 1997 in case you are stopped again at Immigration.
This seems sensible advice - although there is nothing to this effect on the US Embassy's website (www.usembassy.org.uk).
Many readers have written to say they still have the I-94W (departure) card stapled into their passport. Instructions on how to return it can be found on the embassy's website (click on "Immigration" at the bottom of the home page).
In the light of Carole Humphrey's experience, it is essential that you return the departure card, filled in correctly, with a covering letter explaining why it is still in your possession. You must also send proof that you left the country within 90 days (boarding cards and passport stamps for other countries are best, but otherwise bank statements, pay slips or credit-card receipts are acceptable).
If you no longer have the I-94W card, but know that it was not surrendered, you must follow the same procedure, sending a copy of your passport details, dates of arrival and departure, and proof that you did leave the country. The US Consulate in London does not have the authority to update records.
Ms Humphrey's experience highlights how important it is to make sure the airline's check-in agent collects the departure record. If there is no one to collect the card, find someone to give it to. A spokesman for the US Embassy in London said he would ask authorities at JFK airport to investigate your case.
Loooks like it's well worth making sure the stub is handed in.
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visa waiver part 2 not taken on departure
