As you guys know I got the H-1B visa for US at the local consulate. So this is my experience at the border.
Last weekend I sent all my stuff via shipping company to US. But the shipment got struck at the border as they need I-94, employment letter and signature on the importing of goods form. So the next day vacated my apartment and we all drove in my car to the Lewiston-Queenston bridge at Niagara Falls.
My mistake was going there during the labor day weekend. Heavy rush was there at the border.
They grueled me for 4 hours and denied the entry. The reason previously I worked in US for 6 years on H-1B visa and they asked me for physical proof that I was out of US for one full year.
Technically you can apply another term of H-1B if you stay out of US for one full year, which I did. I showed every possible document showing that I was out of US for 1 full year. But.... 
I dono, Is it b'cos I am south asian or going H-1B (work) visa when the unemployment in US is high, or due the coming 2nd Sep 11th anniversary or pure RACISM.... 
My 2 kids are born US citizens, even that didn't help to satisfy the moron immigration officer.
Due to my shipment got struck at the border, no apartment and I got very few friends here....so we ended up in a Hotel.....and looking for short term apartment.
Simply to say I am devastated by this experience. Morale is extremely low.... 
Hi Tammudi,
It is very sad what happened to you. I am sure it has nothing to do with your records, but it is with the moron officer.
If you like to stay with others for short term, I can try to arrange something.
Keep your moral high.
I am not sure, but can you try to go again from different border?
What are your options now?
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A Proud Indian Canadian
Location: INDIA (sometimes Canada)
Posted on: 04-09-03 14:25:58
It is very sad to know about the behavious of Americans....
We should send these type of incidents to higher American officers and tell the rest of world also about there dual procedures and policies...
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Enjoy Happiness -- Happy from India
That sucks, man!! Sorry to hear about your ordeal, tammudu, its really sad.
Hope everything works out, let us know if there's someway we can help.
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Are you there?
well what happened here was pure racism. there is no reasonable logic behind this.
I can relate to your experience. I hold a Canadian passport. In fact, I grew up in Canada all my life. I run my own business (26 years old), with clients in the United States, and previously I've been commuting to US once every 3 months. That has since changed after the repeated agony from the US Customs. Although I'm Hindu, I've been hassled everytime (since 9/11) I try and fly from Pearson Intl (Toronto) --> US.
The first time, I was put through a 4 hour interrogation, with 4 officers surrounding me asking me questions from all directions. I was even videotaped. I eventually was let through, only after they took my cell phone number (for tracking purposes).
The second time, I had to attend a Microsoft Conference, but they made me miss my flight, along with a 4 hour wait, and sent me home asking to produce business documents, and proof of income. The next day I returned with all my 3 years worth of pay stubs from my US Client, as well as all the Business Registration Papers. They still refused entry. I couldn't believe it! They finally let me through once I got a hold of my client, and they talked to him. The third time, I had to go through it all over again.
It's a sad reality, but I don't see the 'system' changing anytime soon. I got so fed up of the constant harrasment, I just stopped travelling to the US altogether. I will have to travel to a Microsoft Conference this October in Los Angeles, and I'm sure I will have to go through all the same bullSh#! all over again, so this time I'm going to reach the airport atleast 5 hours prior. It only shows how inefficient their databases are. If they havn't figured out that I'm not a threat by now, something is failing somewhere. Instead of wasting resources constantly stopping me, they should put a flag against my passport number and lower my threat level. I figure it will take many more years before they come up with a viable solution to cross checking visitors. It's a reality I've come to live with for now. My advice is, don't take it personal, just smile, and reach the airport / border well ahead of time. If they decide to single you out (because of your appearance/ethnicity/religion), no proper documentation, or reasonable proof will allow you through without hassles ... I can only imagine, what muslim visitors must be experiencing. I'm sure with time, things will return back to normal.
I traveled only once by air after 11/9 and it wasn't that bad. Only thing while returning back on Dallas Air-port they checked me twice, once on gate and once before boarding the plane (I was only brown faced in the plane, but there were 3 other white guys who were also checked). It was first Valentine day after 11/9 and so they were strict.
We have one desi engineer working in our company and he and other two goras needed to go to US immediately after 11/9 and interestingly US immigration allowed desi without any problem but stopped two goras!!!
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A Proud Indian Canadian
