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Immigrating to America - My dad was a prisoner of war. Can he visit me?

  • 29-06-2014 4:21pm
    #1
    LeamD
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13 ✭


    Hey, not sure if I am posting this in the right section of the forum, but I am hoping someone might know a little about immigration or have similar experiences.

    I am getting married to a nice American lady who despite my flaws has somehow managed to keep enough patience to have me around. We are getting married, and I will be joining her in the US.

    However, I am a little worried about one small scenario. In the 1970's my father spent some time in the concentration camp known as Long Kesh as he was fighting for the unity of our beautiful country. He was sentenced to 71 years combined, but was released after 10 years because you only serve the time awarded to the largest single sentence of your entire set in this scenario.

    If he wants to visit me, or attend the wedding, will there be a problem? I mean, I have heard of other men and women involved in the troubles who were able to travel to the US, but things have tightened up since 9/11 and I want to know what the procedure is. If he can visit, I assume he doesn't have the same procedure as the average person considering the ESTA form asks about "Terrorist Activity"?

    All info is much appreciated.

    Thanks in advance.
    Tagged:


Comments

  • #2
    Santa Cruz
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 3,126 ✭✭✭Santa Cruz


    He will apply for the Visa. I can see problems but each case is dealt with individually. The purpose of the visit might be the decider. He won't be recognised as a Prisoner of War so best to drop that title.


  • #3
    LeamD
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13 ✭LeamD


    Thanks for the response, should he merely apply for the esta, then see what happens? Does he say "yes" to the terrorist activity section? then they give details as to what he should do when he is declined?


  • #4
    Little CuChulainn
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,624 ✭✭✭Little CuChulainn


    You could always call the embassy and ask. What exactly is the terrorist section question?


  • #5
    tricky D
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,700 ✭✭✭tricky D


    from the questionaire
    C) Have you ever been or are you now involved in espionage or sabotage; or in terrorist activities; or genocide; or between 1933 and 1945 were you involved, in any way, in persecutions associated with Nazi Germany or its allies? *
    Yes No

    Probably best to fill out the ESTA which will likely be refused, then it's off to the embassy for a visa application. He quite possibly will get a visa but I would not advise using language like 'concentration camp' or 'prisoner of war' - they're too loaded.


  • #6
    Pro Hoc Vice
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,087 ✭✭✭Pro Hoc Vice


    LeamD wrote: »
    Thanks for the response, should he merely apply for the esta, then see what happens? Does he say "yes" to the terrorist activity section? then they give details as to what he should do when he is declined?

    He can not benefit from ESTA and must make a application for a visa via the nearest embassy. I would guess best to give plenty of time for any application as its more than likely the application will go to Dept. Homeland Security.


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  • #7
    mrsbyrne
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,228 ✭✭✭mrsbyrne


    Use emotive inflammatory expression such as POW and concentration camp if you DONT want your dad at your wedding or ever to visit you in the US.


  • #8
    Fred Swanson
    Closed Accounts Posts: 21,730 ✭✭✭✭Fred Swanson


    This post has been deleted.


  • #9
    Santa Cruz
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 3,126 ✭✭✭Santa Cruz


    Fred Swanson wrote: »
    This post has been deleted.

    I'm sure that any mention of Provo links to Libya, P.L.O. Colombia should be avoided. The Americans have long memories.


  • #10
    No Pants
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,347 ✭✭✭No Pants


    LeamD wrote: »
    In the 1970's my father spent some time in the concentration camp known as Long Kesh as he was fighting for the unity of our beautiful country. He was sentenced to 71 years combined, but was released after 10 years because you only serve the time awarded to the largest single sentence of your entire set in this scenario.
    Remind him to take off his rose-tinted glasses when getting his passport photo taken.


  • #11
    weisses
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,732 ✭✭✭weisses


    Fred Swanson wrote: »
    This post has been deleted.

    Of course

    http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/14/nyregion/14watchlist.html?_r=0


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  • #12
    coylemj
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25,619 ✭✭✭✭coylemj


    Fred Swanson wrote: »
    This post has been deleted.

    In the spirit of the previous post it's worth pointing out that a majority of people in the US believe in creationism over evolution....

    http://www.gallup.com/poll/21814/Evolution-Creationism-Intelligent-Design.aspx


  • #13
    tricky D
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,700 ✭✭✭tricky D


    Santa Cruz wrote: »
    I'm sure that any mention of Provo links to Libya, P.L.O. Colombia should be avoided. The Americans have long memories.

    The American authorities will have him on a list as he's done time in Long Kesh so there's no point in trying to conceal that fact. Doing so will just get him perma banned from the US.


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