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stella41b -> RE: I hate it when........ (10/11/2009 11:44:55 PM)
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I hate it when I (finally) receive a letter from the US Department of Homeland Security informing me of their decision regarding my appeal against being removed from the Visa Waiver Program when I was denied entry to the United States for being 'inadmissible' at Atlanta Airport December 2007.
I was declared inadmissible under the Immigration and Nationality Act Section 217a (i) (I) - 'a lack of a unexpired passport or other travel document..'
I am a UK citizen and was travelling on a brand new biometric UK passport in my sole female identity obtained in accordance with the UK's Gender Recognition Act 2004. I was also, as a UK citizen, eligible for the Visa Waiver Program.
Some of you may remember that during that time I was asked by US border guards if I had a penis, intimately searched by a male border guard, held in the male wing of Atlanta City Jail, accused o fraud, denied access to water, a bathroom, and a representative from the British Consulate denied access to me.
The letter I have just received has turned down my appeal, stating:
'In your correspondence you alleged that CBP officers abused your human rights and discriminated against you based on your gender. However in your sworn testimony [taken by officers at the airport under threat of arrest, fraud charges, and deportation without any future possibility of entering the States] when asked if you were treated in a courteous and professional manner, you indicated that you had been treated courteously and professionally.' [I had actually refused to answer that question].
The matter is being referred to the UK's Foreign Office via my MP with regard to the denial of UK sovereignty.
I will have to think about my plans for the book I have just written and the projects I'm working on.
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