U.S. Immigration doing their job only too well

Why have an Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services if they don't let anyone in the country? "Tied in knots over no intent to wed: U.S. border agents fear Canadian seeks marriage to stay here"

A couple meet on a cruise ship where they worked, begin dating, and she is invited to come to the U.S. from Canada to attend a wedding. Not get married, simply be present at another couple's matrimonial ceremony.

Those plans ended in an interview with a U.S. immigration agent that included requests for myriad documents in addition to her passport, and an agent reading Deslauriers' diary.

The agent refused to let her fly, concluding that the wedding Deslauriers actually wanted to attend was her own -- that her aim was to marry Reese and stay in the United States.

The question, however, has not been popped, both parties insist.

Later:

But the 24-year-old Canadian could not convince the inspector of her intentions.

Now, here's what rubs me the wrong way - if the @^#$@#% Immigration was so concerned about Ms. Deslauriers overstaying, then let her break the law, then find her and deport her. Then they'll know she's lying. Why should this woman have to convince some idiot (I've dealt with them - there are no rocket scientists in the former INS) that's she's telling the truth?

Oh, and how the hell does she prove a negative - that she will not get married while in the country on the improper visa? Last time I checked, proving a negative was impossible.

The BCIS really pisses me off. They give a gainfully-employed nice Canadian woman a hard time, but they can't track criminals and terrorists who overstay visas.

Someone's really asking for a cluebat...


Written by Andrew Ittner in misc on Wed 09 July 2003. Tags: government, international