Hey Sudanim,
He flew to the UK with no visa, as we both learnt about the 6 Month American Visa Waiver. He explained that he was coming here to visit his boyfriend, me. He had all of the supporting documents asked of us. He had his own funds given by his parents, including their bank details as essentially his source of cash; despite this, we also made it abundantly clear that I would be taking on the financial responsibilities.
He was detained by the authorities. I was waiting in Terminal 1 for many hours. Confused and scared, I finally managed to get immigration to contact me, via the Information desk phone. A quick interview took place over the phone. I explained everything. He said he'll phone back.
3 hours later, more questions.
Another 3-4 hours and I got the call that he had been denied entry.
I waited at the Information desk for roughly 8 hours. BUT I begged and begged for at the very least, a phone call with my SO. The immigration officer reluctantly accepted, and gave me a number to call. I FINALLY GOT TO SPEAK TO HIM!!
We were both in tears on the phone. Heck, even the Information desk staff were holding back tears (I had been there all day, so we kinda all got to know each other).
I told him to not worry, that I'm done with the UK and that I'm coming to him. We had a good 10 min chat before a brummy in the background ordered him off the phone.
Bear in mind this: He is a 19 year old kid, and none of us knew what was going on. Including his parents. My mom was trying to calm his mom over Messenger, whilst trying to calm me and herself too. I think a new law should be put in place, to allow parents that are denied entry, a chance to see their SO at the airport, briefly, and heck even supervised if need be. It's kinda disgusting that this isn't general practice, knowing the 5000 distance is hard enough, and that the possibility of innocence really shouldn't be ignored.
I got a second call, later that evening. He said that he was due to be sent to a high security prison (wot). I laughed, thinking he was messing around. He was not.
He managed to call me the following morning, much to my surprise. We spoke some more, just before his flight home (to the wrong damn state, resulting in several days walk...) This phone call is also where he explained that plans changed, that he was sent to the City Centre for the night, as a fight or death or something happened at the prison, and the driver (now sacked) refused to send him there, in fear of his safety (high five dude!).
Obviously if he ever decides to come back, we will be buying a visa first. As a big FU to immigration. Visa granted. Let him in. However, before this he really wanted to visit UK, not only for me, but as he was really interested in the culture etc. He wanted to visit all the sights. But now he detests the place (as do I).
I can't even persuade him to come now (understandably), so it seems my original post is now moot, but I'll continue to explain as per your reply
I'm a boy! Haha. But yeah I hear you. He's unemployed, but he still has ties with his parents etc. A job alone means nothing anyway, you can easily quit while your over here. He has other assets that prove ties to a country. He literally just does not want to work. I bought him a return ticket (thus proving intentions to return home).
Asking about work is fine. Dismissing the financial documentation, proving that finances are not in any way a problem, from his parents documents and my own, is unreasonable. Also, the website clearly states that the visitor must prove that "you, OR your friend/partner/family member can prove funds for the visit". We did that. With his own family members and myself, his partner. Keyword OR.
The plan is moot as he just said he has no intentions on ever going back. Basically, I was told that the Irish are very nice to Americans (unlike the British) and that they are treated fairly at ports of entry. He would have all of the documentation required to gain entry to UK (again) and thus that should be enough to satisfy the Irish. That wasn't the plan. The plan was to take a ferry from Ireland to UK ONLY IF IT IS LEGAL TO DO SO. Hence the topic I started, to find out. Basically, are ferry terminals more lenient than airports.
Even if this would have proved a problem for future visits, that would have been fine by us. It would have been a 1 time event, coming here. Honestly, I don't think he would be granted entry, no matter what. I was so sure that the "American Visa Waiver" would work as we ticked every box, even the one stating "you OR your friend/partner/family member can prove funds".
Being blunt is fine
).
Border Force have a well defined complaints policy: