By Spip - 29 Jan 20 8:34 AM
Apologies for asking questions that have probably been covered already.
I want to travel to USA to close a business deal in the near future. I'm self employed and have two spent convictions from 2009 - one common assault and one of voyeurism. I was given a fine, a 3 year supervision order (which lasted until August 2012) and was on the SOR for 5 years. The offences both occurred in mid 2008, together. I was found guilty at trial (wrongfully - as the whole thing was an inadvertent mistake, with not bad intentions on my part) and sentenced the following month.
Both convictions have been spent under 1974 act (I'm in UK).
What is the best way for me to enter USA? Should I declare the convictions and travel on a visa - either business or tourist?
Or, should I answer NO to questions on ETSA and hope they don't find out, disclosing nothing upon further questions? Is it possible for them to check my criminal record?
I've read about showing remorse During a visa interview (assuming I disclosed everything) - I'm not remorseful of the crime, but I do have empathy for the victim. Should I lie about this and be remorseful of the crimes?
I was placed on the barring list for working with children and vulnerable adults, with no chance of appeal for at least 10 years. This time has now passed, so is it possible for me to be removed from the two lists now? If so, how do I even start?
I should point out that I visited USA in 2000 before Sept 11th, with no visa requirement - just a landing card that I truthfully filled out as having no convictions. A few brief questions upon entry and I was free to travel.
I'm sorry for the long winded explanations - I'm a newbie here and find all the topics and replies very helpful. So, thank you in advance if you are able to help!
|
By CB Root - 7 May 26 10:02 PM
+x+x+x+x+xIf you decide to go the ESTA route, the US has no visibility into UK criminal records. This is true but when I was convicted within a day I had an email recinding my existing ESTA. I assumed that the police had notified them because I certainly hadn't! If the US keeps their own record of the notice then they won't require active access to the UK records. This interests me. One minute we hear "The USA has no access to UK records". The next "I can't even get convicted for 24 hours without the ESTA people finding out" I had Global Entry before it all happened. It took 11 days from my arrest for them to cancel it (I still have the email). That's arrest, not charge or conviction: arrest. So make of that what you will. What did the email say? Any explanation therein?
This is the actual email (parts redacted for privacy):
From: ttp-no-reply@cbp.dhs.gov
Sat, <date redacted>, 06:55
Dear <name redacted>,
Re: PASSID:<redacted> Application status change
There has been a recent change to the status of your application. Please login to the Trusted Traveler Programs Website (https://ttp.dhs.gov) for more information.
This e-mail was sent from a notification-only address that cannot accept incoming email. Please do not reply to this message.
Thank you,
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
When I logged in the status had changed to unapproved (or something similar - it's a few years ago now !) and that was that.
|
|