Quoting hilbob1980
Quoting Vintageshoes
Hi, I really need some help. I'm traveling to America in June and was wondering about the finger print scanners. I did something around 2008, that I am not proud of! And the police could possible have my finger prints. I haven't being convicted of anything so when they scan my finger prints will anything happen? Also why do they scan your fingers in the first place? Thanks for the answers I really need some help
dont panic just go and dont worry, and dont say anything about it
Travelling to US with a criminal record in the UK
Dont mention it and you will breeze through....
If you try and get a proper visa and get refused u will never get into the USA again.
USA traveller was that aimed at me thanks
I would also like to ask a question on this topic. I have 1 charge against me for a minor offense but no recorded conviction. I have tried to contact every government agency both American and Australian but cannot seem to get an answer. Because there is no record of the offense as I only received a fine and was sent on my way, Do I answer yes to the question of an offense when traveling or do I say no because there is no record of it. What do the U.S Customs have access to? I am so lost as to go or not. i don't want to fork out all this money only to be sent home. I mean, I wasn't even arrested for the offense, the police just took my details and told me to come in during the following week to give my particulars.
Read post 160. He used ESTA, ticked NO, enjoyed his time in the US. Case closed.
For the last and final time,
1. Those members that have claimed they know someone that was sent back from the states, have either said this to scare those of you who are naive or have been misinformed, you don't get sent back from the states straight away for entering on an esta if you have had a criminal record and have lied, committing visa fraud (when entering on an esta, and deliberately lying, this is visa Freud), you face prison time, and are detained. So the fact that all posts by people claiming to have known someone be 'just' removed from the states on the next flight back because they lied on a visa esta, I know through job experience, they are lying. They would only ever just send you on a plane back if they believe you to not be there for other reasons to that, that you claim, for example, you claim to be there for tourism, but you have no money, no luggage, no return flight and our story does not add up.
2. It's illegal to lie on an esta, you have to understand that ultimately although your original crime has you questioning whether or not to get a b1/b2 visa or lie on your esta, if you chose to lie on your esta, this is a crime in itself!
3. The U.S do not have access to the police national computer, there is no magic system that when they scan your prints, and little elf picks up on the fact your were arrested at woolworths for stealing from the pick and mix, or happy slapping some poor innocent person because you were 'drunk'. Your not that important, and there would not be enough man power to constantly be warning the states that joe bloggs who is going to florida for two weeks has a 6 year old record for being drunk and disorderly. The U.S and U.K share high profile crimes, I.E .. If Raoul Moat had been considered a flight risk back in 2010, he would have been made known to Interpol, and the U.S would have 'sent him back on the next plane back'.
4. If you have ever committed a crime in the U.S, this means, if you have ever been arrested in America, America! Not the U.K.. The U.S! This is made available to U.S boarder patrol and immigration as they have access to criminal record databases in the U.S
5. Fingerprint scanning is to sieve out those few who use fake or stolen passport, if you have your fingerprints scanned in the u.s and two years down the line your passport is used by someone else trying to gain entry to the u.s, the fingerprinting system will pick up on the fact someone else is using your passport
Lastly,
I'm not posting this to put your minds at ease, yes you can lie on your esta, and you will get away with it unless you act suspicious when at passport control. It's a no brainer if you act like you have something to hide, they will dig deeper.
You can post and try and justify that you were 19 when your crime took place and you think you don't deserve to be put through the stress of getting a visa to be knocked back, but by lying on your esta, you have technically committed another crime.
Lastly, and the part that I find in my line of work that upsets most people. If your ever wanted to work, or live in the states, previously lying on an esta would probably lead To you never being allowed to do either of these things.
If your going to lie, at least have all the facts, and truly know the consequences
[ Edit: Edited on 04-May-2012, at 05:52 by i-natalie ]
Agreed with above, we only share really serious crimes with these USA, how mnay ppl have been nicked and charged in UK - shedloads theres no way they can keep up with it.
i went to canada 2 years ago and i got charged with abh and affray in 2005 (150hrs communit service) and also cautioned with a dangerous weapon in 2003, and i breezed thru customs there - and the fingerprinting is again as mentioned for dodgy passports, or someone going as another person, nothing to do with criminal records.
i wont bother going for visa waiver at embassy as someone mentioned before if u get refused its hard to ever get an acceptance.
im planning on going vegas for new years so im just gna go and say no on the esta form and it shouldnt be a problem. only worry is im a sikh and wear a turban and have a small beard so i hope they dont pull me up thinking im a terrorist or something stupid, other then that it should be ok.
i-natalie @ #169,
Great write-up, but good luck in getting anyone to read it, let alone comprehend.
I've been pounding on the same basic points since way back at Post #22 and it makes no difference, people always think their situation is somehow unique.
All the best to you.
Cheers,
Terry
So basically if its minor and you only got a caution you should be fine ?
For crying out loud just read the thread and make up your own mind.
Cheers,
Terry