Dear Sir / Madam,
Let me introduce myself. My name is Dr.Sanju Thomas Abraham. I am an Indian National. I am a dentist by profession. I am writing this letter not as a complaint but let the officials know what I went through in the immigration.
I landed at the Dallas DFW airport on 13th March .I flew in to Dallas from London. Since there was a long Queue in the immigration counter some of us were asked to stand in the immigration counter which was meant for US Nationals. So when my turn came I came to the counter and all of the sudden the official said – “This counter is closed”. I said sorry and when I was about to turn back he said show your passport. I showed it to him. Then he asked me who I am here in US.I told him it’s to visit my family. My wife and daughter were already in US for the past 5 months and we were planning to go back to India together. I also told him since I was coming to US I have registered for a conference in Atlanta and will be attending that also. Then the official looked at my arrival card and where I have written – my main purpose of visit to US was to visit family he cut that and ticked my main purpose of visit is official and attending conference. I told him that that’s not my main purpose I am attending the conference because I am coming here to visit my family. He did not like what I said and he stuck to his point.
Then he asked me what my wife and daughter is doing here for past 5 months. I told him they came here in November and I was supposed to come in December spend Christmas together but as they have been granted 6 months stay and I had some official obligation I changed my travel plan to March. Then he wanted to see the ticket of my wife and daughter. I told him I do not have it.
Then he asked me is it the first time I am coming to US. I said no I have been to US before and stayed for almost a month. Then he said I am Lying. I asked him why I should lie to you. Then he says his record shows different and I am lying – Then he tells me do you know I can put you behind bars for lying to me. I said I am not lying.
Then he asks me how much money I have with me. I said $2000 including the credit cards which I was carrying. Then he says do you think you can survive in America for $2000. I said I will be staying in US with the sister of my wife and her family.
Then he takes my hand pouch and takes all the papers out. He goes through the photos and other papers which I have kept in the pouch. I do not know if the immigration official has to powers to open up my personal pouch and go through all the papers it has.
Then he asks me about my return journey which was after 4weeks and he correctly stamps the next day of the return date shown in the ticket.
When I was walking to the immigration counter I saw posters saying that we will deal with you with all dignity but sorry to say that your official dealt with me very rudely. After a long haul flight it is very unpleasant to hear an immigration official saying he will put me behind bars.
I come from a country where guests are treated as God. I felt US being such an advanced country, the people will be highly cultured and others will be respected. That was my view after my first visit to US. But not now. It took almost one month after reaching here to get away from the trauma and the hurt to my self dignity to go.
I really hope and pray to be more considerate to other nationalities who are visiting your beautiful country. May God Bless America.