juvenile arrest entering usa

larry14

My daughter is going to the usa this thursday but was arrested earlier this month. She didnt have to go to court or anything like that but she had her dna, photo and fingerprints taken and was given a reprimand. This was her first offence and she's never been in trouble with the poilce before this. She's 15 and travelling alone to the USA to stay with my brother, what are the chances of her being denied entry or experiencing any other problems?

Thank you in advance for any help/advice, im just worrying as i know the usa is so strict these days!

redrabbit29

larry14 wrote: »

My daughter is going to the usa this thursday but was arrested earlier this month. She didnt have to go to court or anything like that but she had her dna, photo and fingerprints taken and was given a reprimand. This was her first offence and she's never been in trouble with the poilce before this. She's 15 and travelling alone to the USA to stay with my brother, what are the chances of her being denied entry or experiencing any other problems?

Thank you in advance for any help/advice, im just worrying as i know the usa is so strict these days!

What was the reprimand for - possession of cannabis or something similar?

You have nothing to worry about. They won't deny entry for a juvenile caution.

larry14

Thank you for putting my mind at rest. It was for shoplifting, i was worried it would be a bigger problem because it was so recent.

steveo3002

the visa waiver thingy has questions regarding a criminal past...answer no to all questions

larry14

But surely it will come up on the computer system when its checked? And that will cause an even bigger problem if its seen as lying on the form. Also, i read a sample I-94W form and one of the questions asked includes arrest, in which case she'd have to say yes, but theres no space to specify or explain anything. What should i do?

aliasojo

There is no linked computer system.......as told to me by the Police.

They say this is something America likes to bandy about but it is incorrect.

I have read so many differing things about this but after speaking to several people in the Force, I can only accept what they say.

spaceman5

AFAIK the americans hold no information on us brits, apart from the info we willingly give to them(i.e the visa waiver form), unless of course u happen to be a mass murderer, seriel rapist, terroist;)

EDIT: not that i am condoning you lying on said forms;)

larry14

thank you for your advice. Im sure you can understand how worried i am, especially as she's flying alone and only 15 etc, i dont want to think what would happen if she was denied entry. Ive been researching this alot and can't find a deffinate answer but the general view seems to be that it should be okay, but i cant help thinking 'what if'.

redrabbit29

She will be fine. However, I would not lie on the form, tell the truth. It's *only* shoplifting, and the US customs won't bat an eye lid at that. They will however if your form does not match any information they may have (no matter how unlikely).

aliasojo

It's a Visa Waiver. If you do not answer no to all the questiions, then you're not entitled to the waiver and you need a visa.

It specifically states that if you have been arrested for anything other than minor traffic violations, then you must get a visa.

It's obviously a personal decision but I would be answering no to all. You either lie or get a visa. I personally dont agree with redrabbit (sorry) I see more problems with telling the truth on the form than lying tbh.

Quick check here....
http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/visa_wizard.html

I've pm'd you larry14

mini21_2

Did your daughter go and was everything OK?

Have friends travelling in same situation and no time for Visa.