This has been the craziest 24 hours of my life. Lets make a short list
-Detained by border control for 7 1/2 hours
-1000 dollars in collect calls
-denied entry into the United Kingdom because lack of correct paper work.
-Banned for a year for "deceiving" the government!
I think that basically covers everything. I will be returning to the United States today. This is all because I forgot the address to the au pair family and caved under pressure. I said that I had already knew Sarah not through a website but I had met her previously. I lied. After like 2 lies I started telling the truth, I just freaked out. No one knows what it is like to be in a 3x5 room with a bright light and someone questioning you on the other side. I did not know what to do. I was soooooo scared and had no one to talk to at all. Wow. I am a horrible person. Not really, the border control are. They also said that I lied about when I bought my ticket, which is not true at all! They said I bought it on Monday, and I bought it back in March! I have never been in trouble in the States, the worse is a speeding ticket. I clearly was not trying to sneak into the country and I felt like Bridget Jones when she gets locked up in the second movie.
I was locked in a box in the middle of customs for one hour. I then had all my luggage check and journals and information read through. I was then detained for another 7 hours. I was fingerprinted, wanded, and photographed. I had an intense interview, where it was decided that I decived the government and did not have a visa (which I did not know that I needed!) and have been asked to leave the country. Apparently they thought that I would stay for longer, even though I had a return ticket! I feel like a criminal, and I am not. The family said that is how they wanted me to feel, like I committed this horrible crime, even though I did not. Sarah, the mom, was also interviewed for an hour. She said that I was coming to live with the family, they were not paying me, and that how they really met me. She said that she knew me and they were planning to pick me up!
This room that I was held in for another 6 hours had a male side and a female side. They had bathrooms and food( something the guys wanted to give you from their fridge). It was kinda like prison. There was a pay phone on the wall. I was not allowed to have anything with me expect my wallet.
Even if I did not have than ban, it would have cost me around $3000 in flights and expedited visas to come back, which is not worth it. According to the UK customs website, you do not need a visa if you are planning to stay for less than 180 days, which I was only planning to stay for like 100. I would have gotten the visa if I knew that I needed it. The family also did not know that I needed it as well, because Sarah would have told me, because she has been very informative about the whole process.
I feel so bad for the family. If only I knew the address. I can not believe that this happened to me. I would love to sue, but I know that I can not. I was released to the family around 8pm UK time. They could not have been nicer. They were so sorry that this happened to me, and could not believe that it happened. The mom, who au paired when she was my age, said that she would have lied like I did, and I should not feel bad for it. They were more concerned with what happened to me than not having an au pair. They feed me (Lasagna, Salad, and Red wine) and I showered and slept in the room that would have been mine for the summer.
I cracked under pressure. I know that the government does not like the word au pair and I made up some story to try and get it, thinking it would work....but it didn’t. Sarah even told them that I was not an their au pair, but someone who was going to live with them. I explained to the lady after she asked me why I lied, I said I had no idea why. I was scared and did not know what to do. Even if I would have told the truth, they would not have let me in the country because I did not have the proper paperwork.
I was the only person that was not middle eastern in the room. I was the only American or person who spoke English. About the time I was released some cute Australian guy was brought in. He seemed like he was in a similar situation as me. Every man that worked in the board agency room was nice and we shocked that they had flagged me and banned me and are "deporting" me. I think because they NEVER deal with American college students! It was horrible and I had shed too many tears. So I am going to look for an awesome summer job in Atlanta and the rents and I are planning to go somewhere wonderful for vacation.
With all the people that come into this country, I do not think that American college students with a clean record should have been stopped. I really think they lady who interviewed me is very excited that she got an American! Ginny said I should have told her, sorry we beat you in the War. Haha, that is why I love my roomie!
I had all these dreams and wonderful ideas about the the United Kingdom. They have been crushed and smashed to pieces by a lady who clearly hates Americans. The women that first looked at my passport and asked me why I did not know the address, started going off that America would never let her in without an address. I was like sorry, I have no control over that!
Do not lie to border patrol, it will not work. It was not even a lie, I just said that I met Sarah somewhere different than I did. I did not lie about why I was coming into the UK. I still can not believe this is my life, but hey, everything happens for a reason right? I am going to look up and trust in God, because that is all I have, and even that is hard too do right now. I really do believe that this happened for a reason, and I may not see the big picture now, I will one day. I am just so thankful that I have an amazing family and friends who have been so so so supportive in the past 24 hours! I also feel stupid, which is the worse feeling for me. I also am embarrassed that I have to return back to the US. But thanks to my amazing friends who have been concerned and do not think I am stupid or should be embarrassed.
Everyone from the board control workers (DEF. NOT THE LADY WHO FLAGGED ME AND THE LADY THAT INTERVIEWED ME) have been very kind and understanding! The family were amazing. The taxi driver drove me straight to the airport for a cheap price, the ladies at check in and security could not believe that this had happened to me. This has not changed my opinion on English people. I surprisingly want to come back (when the ban gets lifted). I just have some VERY strong opinions on the way things are handed for visitors.
War Eagle and I am coming back to the states! I know in a few years it will be a funny story, “Hey, remember the time Megan got banned from the UK?” Ugh, well not many people can say that!
If you are wondering how I am writing this...I had to get to the airport like 4 hours early to deal with immigration, which only took 5 minutes, so I have free time on my hands until I have to board.
