London to Mysterious Morocco Via Detroit

On June 5^th, 2007, my "intended other", Mrs. Rosaria Rodenas, arrived at Detroit International Airport in USA and was denied entry despite a valid B1/B2 visitors visa. The result was a7 month stay in Spain and an unexpected trip to Morocco.

Rose is a 55-year-old uneducated lady, who at the time was still married to her Maltese husband, and a citizen of the Island of Malta.

I think it best if I explain our somewhat unique situation!

The Maltese constitution prohibits divorce on the island of Malta!

We therefore, like so many Maltese couples had been unable to formalize our relationship. For the last three years Rosaria and I has traveled back and forth between her home in Malta, her daughter's home in London and my USA residence, never overstaying her permitted visit.

I cannot stress strongly enough that Rose is a very simple senior lady of limited education and command of the English language.

It was during a return visit on her own to her daughter in London that I made a huge mistake!

I called her on the phone just before her return flight and told her that I had a special surprise for her Birthday (16^th June) and news about our eventual marriage!

The surprise was a booked cruise with Royal Caribbean Lines to Mexico sailing on the 25^th of June and the news was that I had arranged to transfer to Spain for a year. This I had discovered would enable her to formally file for divorce having established residency in another EU country, which sanctioned divorce. We could then return to the USA with the appropriate F1 Visa and marry!

Why was advising her in the manor I did a big mistake?

Remember all she knew was "I had a special surprise for her Birthday (16^th June) and news about our eventual marriage."

On the 5^th of June as stated, Rosaria arrived at Detroit airport and in her excitement told the immigration officer that she was visiting her fiancée whom she intended to marry, and she thought he had arranged the wedding for her birthday!

She was immediately referred for further interrogation and was subjected to several hours questioning. Needless to say she was terrified of saying the wrong thing and told the interviewing officer what she mistakenly believed he wanted to hear.

She was afraid to admit to being married and living with me and thought that if she mentioned anything other than our relationship she would not be allowed in.

Of course quite the contrary! You may not enter the USA to marry on a tourist visa!

I received a telephone call from who I assume was the interrogating officer asking if I knew Ms. Rodenas and the extent of our relationship.

I should point out that at the time I received the call I was conducting a sales meeting with important clients and did not want to be too specific as all in attendance easily overheard our conversation.

I informed the officer that Rosaria was my intended (my exact words) and yes we hoped to marry.

He specifically asked when, and I quite positively informed him that at the earliest it would be December and more than likely not in the USA.

He pointed out that this was over 6 months away and I concurred. He then asked if I had discussed Ms. Rodenas change of status with the Immigration department and I informed that I was aware of the regulations from my attorneys in Las Vegas. He concluded the conversation by again asking about the December date and I again pointed out, without being too specific, that there were family matters that had to be resolved before any marriage could take place.

Approximately two hours later I received a call from a sobbing Rosaria informing me that they had refused her admission.

I subsequently learnt from Rosaria that on hanging up the telephone from his conversation with me the interrogating officer turned to an associate and remarked "he's lying!"

She was marched, escorted like a convicted criminal to her returning flight and her passport handed to the flight crew with instructions that she was not to receive it until she landed in Europe.

I believe that following my confirmed statement at the very least, temporary admittance could have been granted.

Such however was not the case!

The outcome was that Rose returned to London where I joined her and together we moved to Spain's Costa Del Sol for the 6 months or so that it took to get her divorce. Just as we were about to depart for my return to USA and poor Roses return to London to await her visa (another 14 months!), I received a call from a friend in Morocco inviting us to visit.

We loved Morocco and if you have the chance to visit Marrakech as we did - you too will fall in love with mysterious Morocco!
Enjoy your travels - but be careful to whom you speak and what you say!
Dr. Peter J. Shield PhD, (http://pjshield.com)