USA security checks

[bordergirl]

I know there are many q and a's on this subject but would still be interested in your views on my situation.
I want to go to New York with husband and children this year but was fined for shoplifting 16 years ago so have a record which I am not very proud of.
Do you think US security will be able to check this on entry? Is it worth taking the risk without going through the nightmare of getting a visa?

[Buenchico]

The US immigration authorities have no direct access to UK criminal records at the present time. (The US government continue to lobby for such access, so it's possible that things might change in the future). It's therefore extremely unlikely that your conviction will be known to them.

See here for further information:
http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Travel/Question 351001.html

Chris

[JonnoGenie]

That is larceny, you need a visa.

[Dee Sa]

personally I would go and just dont declare it, but the decision is yours, its such a long time ago and you have forgotten about it.

[warpig1]

bordergirl, surely after 16 years is this not 'spent'? If not, I would do as Dee Sa say as well, although part of me is thinking 'why would I want to go to a country who are making me jump through hoops to get in, for a holiday and spend my hard earned money, for something trivial I did 16 years ago. Especially given the crooks that are currently in power'. Personally I would go elsewhere and sod them, but thats just me!

[bordergirl]

Thanks for your replies. you would think after 16 years it is something I could forget about and warpig I hear what you're saying about going elsewhere, the trouble is it's not just about me and the rest of the family want to go, so it's down to me to make a decision. If it was just about me I wouldn't go near the place, having said that, surely after 16 years you would think I could move on!

[JonnoGenie]

You would have thought that you face justice, and then can move on. But this is not the case with the US and visas.

Then again this kind of no-crap attitude is why you will feel safer on the streets on New York than you do in London.

P.s. Do me a favour on the politics. If you don't like the country don't go. Reminds me of the story of the 20 million anti-capitalists who all shop at Tesco's each week...

[gazebo]

Went to NY from OZ last year and regretfully only spent 6 days there. Id put more time into NY and forget the rest of America.