Detained for 2.5 Hours at UK Immigration

So much for the “fast” train to London. I was detained in immigration for 2.5 hours as they “checked” my credentials and proof of work/studies in the U.K. In all of my travels, this was the first time I became one of those pathetic-looking travelers tapping my feet on the floor wondering if I would make it to my next destination. The experience was humbling and made me realize that student mobility is not as easy as I have come to know. After I handed over my passport to the female immigration officer she began to ask me questions, “What are you doing in the U.K.? (studying and working) Do you have proof that you are working and studying? (yes, but the letter had the summer semester dates on it) When do you fly back to the U.S.? (December) What are you doing until December? (studying and working) Can I see your return ticket to the U.S.? (I do not have it with me) Are you being paid in the U.K.? (No, I am being paid by the U.S. university) Do you have a U.S. bank account, if so how much money is in it?” Finally, I said, “That is a weird question.” (Even though I know it is not a strange question, as they need to know that I can financially support my stay in the U.K.) She did not like my response and said, “You are now being detained and there is no guarantee that you will be admitted to the U.K., students and researchers must have a visa to enter.” She escorted me to a metal bench and instructed me to wait.

As other happy travelers gawked at me like I was a caged animal in a zoo, I peacefully let the grains of sand in the hour glass slowly float away as I studied. Yet, as time continued to melt away, so did my nerves. After one hour of waiting and missing my train, the female immigration officer said, as she scooted past me quickly, “I am waiting on documents from the U.K.” Well, WTF does that mean? More waiting. Finally, after another hour passed, I received a phone call from Angela, a staff member at UGA at Oxford, informing me that she had just faxed a letter confirming my position. Ahhhhh. The officer came out and gave me a new train ticket for the 12:13 p.m. train (original train was scheduled for 10:13 a.m.) and said I could enter the U.K. Then, her supervisor came over and explained that he made a “special” decision in my case. He said he could have easily rejected my entry because I did npt have a visa for the work/studies. As he was explaining the points system for visas, I began to sweat and wanted to scream, “DUDE, I am going to miss my train!” Instead, I thanked him cordially for allowing me to enter the Queen’s country and ran to board the long-awaited train to London. The joys (and frustrations) of student mobility!