Corruption in Us immigration system

[NotHuman]

Hi

Got loads to say, but you can read it all on my website. I want to give a warning to all those travelling to the US. I also seek help getting back there myself so I can reclaim what few possessions I may have left.

Go to my website and click on the 'My Story' link to see what happened to me.

I'm not the only victim, lots of others are suffering too. Our own Government (Foreign Office) have informed me of numerous and regular meetings with Homeland Security to complain about the unfair and cruel treatment dished out to many British travellers, only for HS to give back the 'middle finger'. HS said it is their country and they can do what they like to the Brits.

Is this a fair way to be treated? Our troops are dying every day to fight an illegal war started by the Americans and yet we get treated like dirt.

I miss my trips to Eugene in Oregon and miss my friends there. I also lost the woman I loved due to being victimised by US immigration. I have lost so much there it is heartbreaking.

Contact me if you have also suffered. Contact me if you can help - attorneys, advice, stories (inc. photos) I can put on my website, political action, etc.

[Fatbrit]

Well that wasted an hour of my life I'll never get back!

I did try to read your story but it went on and on with rants between the facts. Perhaps just a short summary of the facts at the beginning would make reading easier. In what I picked up, I'd say it showed the perils of attempting US immigration without doing your homework but vaguely hoping you'd get away with it. Much of the injury you suffered was, in fact, self-inflicted. But I suppose there's a lesson for all who attempt to navigate the system: don't do it your way!

And even with your extensive rant and obviously many hours putting the web site together, you seem to have little or no idea of how the various parts of the US immigration system work.

[NotHuman]

Hi Fatbrit

Yes, I do sound angry on my website and I believe I have every right to be. Not just at the US immigration system, but myself for taking too much for granted.

Self-inflicted problems? Yes, too a degree - for being too honest. Must learn to keep my mouth closed and just tell lies if I try to get back. Seems to work for everyone else.

I did do some homework as well, but got too casual. My intentions were honest enough, but as John Major once said, "they butter no parsnips".

Just a shame that the US rewards and values dishonesty and corruption more than sincerity. But what's new? It's the American Way, so to speak.

As for a shorter version of my story, I am planning short-cut links on the homepage to the nitty-gritty stuff. Cannot make any of the episodes shorter though as I'm only covering the basics as it is.

Thanks for the input though.

You said ...

Originally Posted by Fatbrit

Well that wasted an hour of my life I'll never get back!

I did try to read your story but it went on and on with rants between the facts. Perhaps just a short summary of the facts at the beginning would make reading easier. In what I picked up, I'd say it showed the perils of attempting US immigration without doing your homework but vaguely hoping you'd get away with it. Much of the injury you suffered was, in fact, self-inflicted. But I suppose there's a lesson for all who attempt to navigate the system: don't do it your way!

And even with your extensive rant and obviously many hours putting the web site together, you seem to have little or no idea of how the various parts of the US immigration system work.

[Fatbrit]

Originally Posted by NoHumanityDotCom

Hi Fatbrit

Yes, I do sound angry on my website and I believe I have every right to be. Not just at the US immigration system, but myself for taking too much for granted.

Self-inflicted problems? Yes, too a degree - for being too honest. Must learn to keep my mouth closed and just tell lies if I try to get back. Seems to work for everyone else.

I did do some homework as well, but got too casual. My intentions were honest enough, but as John Major once said, "they butter no parsnips".

Just a shame that the US rewards and values dishonesty and corruption more than sincerity. But what's new? It's the American Way, so to speak.

As for a shorter version of my story, I am planning short-cut links on the homepage to the nitty-gritty stuff. Cannot make any of the episodes shorter though as I'm only covering the basics as it is.

Thanks for the input though.

You said ...

No, the problems were caused by you not understanding the US immigration system And the problem is that you still don't understand it. With some understanding and forward planning, you would most probably have been able to live with your wife in the US.

But since you obviously don't think much of us Americans from what you've just said, perhaps it all worked out best in the end, anyway?

[Fatbrit]

BTW, the lighthouse anecdote on your home page was declared false by Snopes.

[coolbadger]

Originally Posted by Fatbrit

Well that wasted an hour of my life I'll never get back!

I did try to read your story but it went on and on with rants between the facts. Perhaps just a short summary of the facts at the beginning would make reading easier. In what I picked up, I'd say it showed the perils of attempting US immigration without doing your homework but vaguely hoping you'd get away with it. Much of the injury you suffered was, in fact, self-inflicted. But I suppose there's a lesson for all who attempt to navigate the system: don't do it your way!

And even with your extensive rant and obviously many hours putting the web site together, you seem to have little or no idea of how the various parts of the US immigration system work.

I actually liked the idea of using Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King as evidence!

How dare they ignore such a strong case!

Thanks for the earlier tip about an hour of your life wasted. I cut it short after 5 minutes.

[NotHuman]

I only care for Governments who care for those whom they are supposed to respect (re: roughly quoting former President Jefferson). The US, UK and many other Governments are not always like this. But to answer some of your points (briefly, I promise):

[1] The US immigration system is complex. Different immigration officials interpret immigration laws differently and many I have spoken to give the wrong advice and do not understand their own rules. This is a stone-cold FACT. So how am I to succeed when I have to rely upon the inconsistent opinions and rulings of those who do not know how to do their jobs? And what about arbitary judgements made against me that I cannot appeal?

[2] My wife was an illegal. Now she has remarried for a Green Card. There is no way I could have lived with her in the US. In fact, our own (UK) immigration laws were put the test late last year when a Law Lords ruling would have allowed me to bring my wife to the UK - where we wanted to be all along. I could not bring her to the UK until this powerful legal ruling - but it came too late. The only reason I panicked and tried to reach my wife in September 2008 was because of the threat to my marriage.

[3] I have met numerous American people and made numerous friends. More than in my entire lifetime. I'm not anti-American people, I am anti-American insititulionalised corruption (same with the UK and other Governments too).

[4] Suggest a solution if you can so I can get back, locate and get my last few possessions, and see my friends again. Pro-active advice is better than negative criticism.

Thanks for your continuing interest though.

You said:

Originally Posted by Fatbrit

No, the problems were caused by you not understanding the US immigration system And the problem is that you still don't understand it. With some understanding and forward planning, you would most probably have been able to live with your wife in the US.

But since you obviously don't think much of us Americans from what you've just said, perhaps it all worked out best in the end, anyway?

[NotHuman]

Hi

Thanks for your contribution. I'm going to put my 'pre-court statement' up on the homepage as the quick version of my story. It focusses more upon the relevant facts - albeit that it will still run to about 11 pages.

Please read my quote from former President Jefferson as well. It's somewhat pertinent.

Just for interest, I once worked for Westland Helicopters. I was a progress chaser for several years and my work is still fresh in my mind - even though it was over 30 years ago. 'Progressed' everything from buying materials to sending finished items to the work floor. Happy (?????) days!

You said:

Originally Posted by coolbadger

I actually liked the idea of using Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King as evidence!

How dare they ignore such a strong case!

Thanks for the earlier tip about an hour of your life wasted. I cut it short after 5 minutes.

[MHolkham]

Originally Posted by Fatbrit

No, the problems were caused by you not understanding the US immigration system And the problem is that you still don't understand it. With some understanding and forward planning, you would most probably have been able to live with your wife in the US.

But since you obviously don't think much of us Americans from what you've just said, perhaps it all worked out best in the end, anyway?

I agree for someone who is so down on Americans, they wouldn't like living here anyway

[NotHuman]

Answering / questioning other points:

I am not criticising Americans collectively, but America as an institution which makes ambiguous laws, does not know how to enforce them, are open to abuse without answerability, and allow widespread discrimination of UK (and no doubt other) tourists. Even many of my full-blooded American friends are embarrassed by what happens in their country.

Abuse & Ambiguity, Example 1: Told at San Francisco International airport I was not yet in the US, merely on the 'doorstep'. Despite my FULL co-operation, I was further told I had no human rights, no right to representation, no right to telephone my Embassy or Consulate, and that they could me in a cell and throw away the key.

I was blackmailed into signing a statement containing falsehoods and inaccuracies under the pain of having my wife victimized. I had to sign under duress, and under protest, to protect her.

Abuse & Ambiguity, Example 2: When held at Pacific Highway, WA, was told I HAD entered the US and was in the State of Washington. Threatened with pepper-spray AFTER I collaped with blood pressure of 216/140 and was found lying on the floor of my cell. After being taken to hospital, returned to US immigration who then removed my VALID and LEGAL passport and sent me back to Canada where I was now (obvously) treated as an illegal immigrant - because of the theft of my passport by US immigration. About 3 days later, I was released by the Canadians who were angry with the Americans for trying to misrepresent me and not return my passport (... at least for 10 days).

Questions ...

Question 1: If I enter the US by plane, or by land, it makes no difference. So why does one immigration official in CA tell me I am not in the US, when later, in WA, I am told I am in the US? Explain this to me please?

Question 2: If Americans are so proud of their country, and their so-called civil liberites, explain to me why these actions were justified. Can you justify blackmail and chemical assaults on a person with disabilities and breathing problems???

My suggestion is when you stop treating foreigners like dirt, then you will have respect. Stop behaving like playground bullies and accept that immigration abuses do happen on a regular basis, and that your country's might does not give you the right to abuse those who are smaller than you. Might is NOT right.

M Holkham said:

Originally Posted by MHolkham

I agree for someone who is so down on Americans, they wouldn't like living here anyway