I am so pissed

[gopiscrap]

Last edited Tue Dec 4, 2018, 02:23 AM - Edit history (1)

I was supposed to go and serve for a month in a refugee camp in Greece. Right before we were supposed to go I was put on the no-fly list (second time for me) mainly for all the protesting I have done, pus in 1988 I was charged with inciting a riot when George Bush came to Tacoma to campaign for president) charges were dropped but the repubs hold grudges.

I lost a bunch of money because of flights etc...but the real thing that hurts is that I am not able to go.

The more serous part of this was that as this was happening the validity my US naturalization was being challenged. That not only enraged me, but scared the crap out of me. When I confronted ICE they not only had a listing of all 46 times I have entered and left the country, but also my alien registration card, my citizenship papers and the score on the test I took.

So folks, if you are naturalized and think you are safe, if you are a progressive activist think again.

On a side note, there were four others, who also didn 't get to go to a refugee camp that I know of this summer because of the same thing.

[snowybirdie]

1. So sorry

Is it possible to attempt to head to Texas to help with refugees there? That might help alleviate your frustration and you don't have to leave the country.

[Stuart G]

2. Sorry....very sorry...

I wish there was something we can do..?

[Squinch]

3. This is terrifying.

[onecaliberal]

4. I'm so sorry....

[hlthe2b]

5. Damned frightening. I'm so sorry this is happening to you and others.

[VMA131Marine]

6. Did they accuse you of fraud or lying on your citizenship application?

That's really the only way that they can denaturalise you. They can't legally use anything you've done since you were naturalised against you in a citizenship case because the US does not have two tiers of citizenship.

Now, could they make your life miserable with weak accusations and force you to spend money on legal fees to defend yourself? It would be unethical, and possibly illegal, but the current administration seems to be fine with giving everyone whose an immigrant, even someone who is naturalised a hard time.

I'm sure that my name is on a list somewhere for all the times I've posted unflattering comments on Trump's Twitter feed, but I didn't serve 8 years in the US Marines to be harrassed by these clowns.

If they come after me, the first people I'm going to are my Congressperson (Rosa DeLauro, D-CT) and US Senators (Chris Murphy, D-CT; and Richard Blumenthal, D-CT and former Marine).

[gopiscrap]

8. I did go to my reps. Also because I am so well connected

Last edited Tue Dec 4, 2018, 02:25 AM - Edit history (2)

with in the church and politically with in progressive circles I had six attornies going to bat for me and they chicken shits dropped their bullshit...also what helped was that I made my citizenship as a 15 year old and not as an adult. Therefore it would be very hard anyway to prove fraud.

[VMA131Marine]

10. So basically, they were just harassing you because they could.

But you still had to get lawyers involved on your side, which must have been expensive unless they agreed to work pro bono. Going after even legal immigrants is a hallmark of facist regimes.

[gopiscrap]

18. yup that was exactly it

the lawyers were friends of mine but it did give me a few days of extreme stress. Also it's so beyond what I was taught about the US it just rubs me as totally unjust

[RandomAccess]

30. Being a "progressive activist" may have put you at the head of the line

for this kind of treatment, but don't think that was the sole reason. Trump doesn't want ANY immigrants -- except perhaps Norwegians. If you're the wrong color (and I presume you are), you're at risk. ANYone the wrong color will be at risk.

[Tipperary]

25. This post confuses me. You made citizenship as a 165 year old? Do you mean a 16 year old?

I do not understand what “they chickenshits dropped their bullshit” - which chickenshits? The lawyers?

My parents are naturalized. This post confuses me.

[gopiscrap]

26. oops should say 15 year old

[gopiscrap]

27. Immigration dropped their inquiry

[oasis]

7. Thank you for doing your part to make the world a better place.

[lunatica]

9. Wow! You are really brave!

I just know you’ll find a way of protesting this and everything you want to in the future.

Hey! This is just one battle in your war. I know you will never stop fighting. Roll with the punches. I admire you!

[gopiscrap]

19. thank you so much

[The Hitman]

11. Go to the media

Turn up some public pressure

[LittleGirl]

12. That's terrible.

just so wrong. I'm so sorry.

[dhol82]

13. When were you naturalized?

Just curious since I was also.
Not sure where they could me to since I was a refugee from a displaced persons camp.
This is scary shit.

[gopiscrap]

20. my mom was a refugee for a short bit

I am from Germany and you? Welcome to the US

[Tipperary]

23. When were you naturalized? Or were you born here?

[gopiscrap]

24. I achieved my citizenship

though testing in Seattle was naturalized July 4, 1972. I was born in Germany

[dhol82]

28. I have been here for a while

I got my papers in 1964. Born in a camp in Germany.
Scary that the government would choose to expel people who have been here for a long time for minor reasons.

[Wounded Bear]

14. There were rumors and reports they would go this way...

stay strong!

[dalton99a]

15. Only a federal judge can denaturalize you on strong evidence

It is so rare that it makes the news. They're full of shit

(The process is not like a criminal proceeding, but they'd better have a very strong case)

[elmac]

16. The fascist will use any trick in the book to squelch protests

IRS audits, no fly lists, denaturalize, ect...

[Honeycombe8]

17. I've never been out of the country. Is it a norm for someone to travel out of country over 40 times?

Do a lot of people travel that much? Or is that unusual? Don't you have to be wealthy to travel that much? I've flown around within the U S; it's pretty expensive.

Just curious. I didn't realize people traveled that much out of the country, unless it's on business. Like a sales rep for Mexico.

But sorry you're on that list. I've heard it's hard to get your name removed from it. And I've heard they throw a wide net, when adding to the list, so that even little kids end up on it.

Is there a way that people can check the list online before they try to travel?

[gopiscrap]

21. Yes it is I have family left in Germany

Last edited Tue Dec 4, 2018, 02:27 AM - Edit history (1)

my mom was close to her family so we went in and out of the country 46 times meaning 16 round trips in my life from the US to Europe as a child with my mom, then when I was 14 I was on an international choir tour and when I was 21 went to Europe to sing and speak and also went to Hong Kong as a Lutheran missionary then as an older adult, took my family to Europe twice

[gopiscrap]

22. you can get cheap charter tickets specially in the late 60's and 70's to Europe

specially through Iceland. Also I fly a lot for my work so now I have a lot of free frequent flier miles

[drray23]

32. Google flight is your friend.

Its amazing how inexpensive it can be if you search in advance for the right ticket. For example, I saw tickets for $368.00 round trip from Washington dc to Paris, France end of January. It's an icelandair flight which goes thru keflavik.

Anytime I need to fly, I use www.google.com/flights and use their tools to find the best time for least expensive ticket.

[Honeycombe8]

33. Wow. Holy Moly , Batman! That's cheeep.

That's less than I've paid for flying just a few hundred miles in the country.

I don't know if I'd want to go to Iceland, though. I saw a Bourdain's "No Reservations" show in Iceland once. Very depressing place.

I would like to go to France and Ireland, if I went anywhere.

[drray23]

34. That's the cost to go to paris france.

It just goes via keflavik and you have a connecting flight to paris.

[Honeycombe8]

35. Good deal. If I ever travel out of the country....

I'll remember this.

I'm so frugal, though...I've told my relatives to take whatever is left in my retirement account, when I'm dead, and go to Hawaii or somewhere and have fun, 'cause I sure as hell never did. Too busy worrying about funds to carry me through my old age. I'm over 60 and have never gone anywhere on a vacation, except for a decade I'd travel to neighboring state to see my parents once every year or two.

[AncientGeezer]

29. Your story is Exactly why the the Thuglicans are

dead set against the the arbitrary assignment to the "No Fly List"..no due process.

You get put on it and get deprived of rights and then have to prove innocence.
It's a bulls**t deal...for anyone.

[tblue37]

31. Wow. That is awful--and scaryl! nt