An Australian woman has shared how a rejection at the US border drastically altered her life for the worse. Madeline Gurley, from Queensland, arrived at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in June 2022, flying in from Brisbane.
At the time, she mentioned to news.com.au that she was detained while navigating the international terminal. Authorities grew suspicious of her intentions regarding a vacation in Canada. After about five hours of questioning upon her arrival, Gurley learned she would be denied entry and sent back on the next flight to Brisbane.
The rationale was that she had violated the Visa Waiver Program terms. She had attempted to enter the US and Canada with a tourist visa, which posed a problem since her plans included utilizing pet-sitting services to cut accommodation costs while visiting her home.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection pointed out that the Visa Waiver Program prohibits any form of employment or compensation for services rendered, including pet-sitting in exchange for free lodging.
A spokesperson from CBP noted that they take claims of unprofessional conduct very seriously.
Gurley’s story gained international attention as she discussed the odd questions she faced during her questioning, including inquiries about her personal life. She remarked that the situation seemed to spiral from one issue to another. Now, three years later, she feels haunted by that denial when trying to travel to other countries.
Currently in Brisbane, she detailed her experience when recently attempting to travel to New Zealand. She encountered hurdles with immigration officials who scrutinized her passport before she even left Australia.
While filling out the e-travel declaration for her April trip to New Zealand, she had to answer a specific question about previously being deported or denied entry. Gurley said she hesitated before answering but ultimately felt compelled to answer ‘Yes’ regarding her earlier denial.
She expressed frustration over the broadness of the question, as it didn’t clarify whether someone was deported or simply denied entry. This ambiguity can create confusion for travelers.
Upon arrival in Auckland, she encountered issues checking in at Brisbane Airport solely because of her declaration. “Qantas staff had to consult with New Zealand immigration, and I underwent further questioning,” she recalled.
Even though the New Zealand authorities eventually cleared her, there was a lot of unnecessary anxiety leading up to that point. Gurley emphasized how nervous she was about answering the declaration truthfully, worrying if it might lead to more complications.
Gurley anticipates that individuals who have faced deportation or denial from certain countries may find it increasingly difficult to enter places like Australia, the UK, the US, or Canada in the future.
Her passport bears a stamp indicating her rejection from the US, which complicates matters further. “I expected to deal with this often, and I did prepare for the possibility before traveling to New Zealand,” she said.
Currently, travel for her is a source of anxiety. Looking back, she didn’t foresee all the drama unfolding at Brisbane Airport, as she had hoped to avoid such issues upon arrival in Auckland.
While the US rejection hasn’t completely deterred her from traveling, the fallout still impacts her experiences. “Not every country requires you to answer that question, so travel isn’t entirely off the table,” she pointed out.
Gurley believes she’s learned her lesson regarding visa requirements, but she’s resigned to the reality that her record with US immigration will follow her indefinitely. “As long as that declaration question exists, I will remain honest about my experiences,” she concluded.
