questioned at orlando airport!!

[wurzel1965]

Hi guys,
this is my first time on here so here goes, do any of you know how I will stand on future trips to Florida or USA as I got stopped last Sep at Orlando airport and taken for questioning by homeland security, basically they said I had been there too many times in 2006 (4 short trips prior to sep) but staying 3 months on last trip left end of nov (86 days)they said I was working there, which i wasnt of course, I had cash on me, 4 credit cards,return ticket and invoice of my address in Florida,all which he dually looked at, but seemed not be enough for them, eventually he did stamp my passport and said have a nice stay in USA, obviously im rather nervous about travelling next time,that they have put stuff on my passport records etc and will come up when passport is swiped on entry, so what do u guys think??

 

[luvgrumpy]

I'm no help because I don't fly a lot. So I don't have any advice. Just wanted to say sorry you had a hard time. Hope it goes better for you in the future.

 

[atisikitabasket]

I won't say what I would of told them because they probably would of arrested me. But I am sorry that you had a hard time next time I would say listen I am addicted to Disney World and there ain't nothing going to stop me from going. ha-ha

 

[amykathleen2005]

Where are you coming from?

 

[penguin087]

Sorry you had an unpleasant experience but what you are describing is the way things are going to be for a long time to come. There are certain things that are considered red flags. The things you mentioned like numerous short trips are going to be looked at. For 90% of the people everything will check out ok and you'll be on your way. Just grin and bear it. That is why we now have Homeland Security. I would think almost all free countries have similar screening or will in the near future.

 

[MomPOM]

UNfortunately, I think it's just the way things are now. It's inconvenient but I think now it's necessary. I'd say just keep that in mind when considering your travel. If it's something that you absolutely don't want to deal with then that's something you need to consider. I would think that if there's nothing going on, everything will check out and you'll be fine. Delayed a bit, but fine.

Sorry it happened to you though. It's got to be really frustrating.

 

[jillyjoey]

Where are you coming from?

Ditto.

Hate that it happened to you -- but if you are traveling from outside US ... can't really say that I blame them...

 

[PearlElpis]

Sorry that this happened to you, but if it's the problem with Immigration at the airport, then there's really not much that you can do. You should be fine as long as you have all the required paperwork.

Hope your next trip is better than the last one.

 

[byoung]

We few in 5 times last year and never got pulled aside etc.

 

[Unregistered]

I'm going out on a limb and guessing that the OP is from Germany or other European country perhaps?

If so, I can share some advice. Your travel patterns may indicate activity which warrants further investigation. Try and not take it personally. That happend to me as well.

I had started a new job which included getting a work visa for the US. During the transition time, I too was pulled aside and the agent went through every item in my wallet, as if trying to trip me. He asked for my US drivers license ('why would I have one? I don't live in the US'); why I had a US calling card ('I use it to call home when on vacation; bought it at Walgreens'); why I had a business card from a concierge at a Las Vegas hotel ('her husband works for my company and they sent me a Christmas card') etc etc.

As you can see, very simple reasons but he was trying to trip me up and get me to say that I was working in the US. My papers were in order and I was not working there until the visa application was complete.

In fact, he was doing his job correctly. I answered politely and as calmly as I could; after about 30 minutes he did let me go through.

I spoke with my immigration lawyer about this; not unusual. Also, if you are coming from Germany you have additional paperwork etc to complete, just like entering from most other countries.

If it makes the OP feel better, I enter the US almost weekly either by air or car from various destinations and now breeze right through with a friendly wave...

 

[wurzel1965]

To answer a question that was asked on here,yes I am from UK not USA, thanks for the advice you guys,am going to leave my next trip to Florida until the summer anyway, gives a 6 month break in between trips so hopefully no hassle from homeland security next time,but Sep was first time in 15 yrs of travelling to USA that i was ever stopped so I guess it was bit of a shock!!

 

[GrumpyOne]

Immigration is primarily looking to see if you are planning on staying longer than you're authorized for and/or if you plan on working on a visitor visa. One of the best ways to shorten the questioning process is to show some proof that you are gainfully employed in the UK and that you have ties that will make you return. For example, a copy of a pay stub (with the same name as on your passport) and a copy of an ownership deed from your house (with the same name as on your passport).

It's unfortunate that your vacation decisions are subjecting you to additional scrutiny.

 

[snowy76]

To answer a question that was asked on here,yes I am from UK not USA, thanks for the advice you guys,am going to leave my next trip to Florida until the summer anyway, gives a 6 month break in between trips so hopefully no hassle from homeland security next time,but Sep was first time in 15 yrs of travelling to USA that i was ever stopped so I guess it was bit of a shock!!

Wouldn't that have been soon after that big scare that terrorists were going to hijack a bunch of planes coming in from the UK? I'd guess HS was especially antsy at that point about anything that seemed like unusual activity.

I agree with GrumpyOne -- have extra documentation on your just in case. A deed, a lease agreement for your flat, something. Just know that they're just trying to do their job -- if someone else came into the US with an unusual circumstance and they poo-poohed it, THEN something terrible happened, they'd be in deep manure.

 

[Andy B]

I would not be too eager to have such things handy as deeds or a payslip for me it smacks of expecting to be stopped or having everything ready to get in when challenged, to me that is more suspicious.

Be honest, open and you should be ok.