Overstaying in the US

[yankeegirl]

I was talking to a neighbor of mine yesterday; she had a question and assumed that I would know the answer since I'm American, but i don't. A friend of hers has been in he US illegally for the past 3 years or so. I think she went on the VWP initially. I'm not sure of her nationality; she is from Northern Ireland but I don't know if she travelled on an Irish or British passport. The only thing that I know is that after leaving she will be subject to the 10 year ban, which my neighbor said she was ok with. She apparently hasn't left yet because she was told (i'm thinking erroneously) by somebody that if she was caught at the airport the could hold her in jail for up to year before returning her home. Would the US detain someone if they are leaving voluntarily? My neighbor was wondering about the feasiblity of her driving into Canada and flying from there? It has probably been over 10 years since I've been at the US/Canadian border...how tight are the controls? She is currently in Boston. What would be the best thing for this girl to do? Just purchase a 1 way to Ireland and fly direct from Boston? Also, how does having a 10-year ban affect her visiting any other countries, if it does at all?

[darko]

I do not believe people that leave the US through international airpots even have to deal with immigration authorities.

You simply submit your I-94 (if you have one) to the airline personnel.

Why would USA spend money and jail people that overstayed when there is much cheaper solution: just not let them back in.

Wait for expert advice though.

[Marco 72]

Overstaying in the US is not a crime. If she wants to go back to the US some day she might find it useful to keep evidence of her leaving the US, since in 10 years' time it may well be up to her to prove that the ban has expired. You may want to post on this group and ask for more advice about this.

[yankeegirl]

Thanks guys