Entering the country immigration issues, I was stopped and my phone taken, so worried

[itsalwaysyou]

Hi LFAD,
I've been around here ages, I read posts all the time and used to read almost every day. Was wondering if you had any thoughts about what happened to me, and I basically want to know if either of us is screwed for the future. So here is the deal. I live in the USA, him in the UK (he is a British and Irish passport holder-- relevant later). Relationship started about 2.5 years ago. I was studying in the UK when we met. He then came to the US to see me in Jan, I went to UK in March, he came to US in summer. After that summer I moved to Ireland on a working holiday VISA and we lived together for a year. Then I moved back to US (and him to UK), he came to see me in US in Nov last year. Now, I am in Ireland for 1.5 weeks visiting. We wanted to meet back in Ireland not the UK bc we lived there.

Now, I think I really messed up with immigration. I used to print out all documents every time and be really worried about it, but I've never had an issue so I guess I got complacent. I landed in London first and UK immigration was fine. Told them I was on a working holiday in Ireland before just going to visit friends. They said fine and gave me a 6 month stamp! But then I got to Ireland. Said same thing. Lady was not having it. Asked to see my return flight. Pulled up on phone since nothing was printed. Asked where I was staying. Said Airbnb which is true but I was flustered... Asked to see reservation says 2 people. Asked who 2nd person was. Said it was my friend (guy's name, I'm a girl). Started grilling me about him. Asked about his citizenship said he had both, just told the truth don't know what I should had said but I was so scared. I've never done anything wrong or overstayed.

Then she said she had to take my phone. Made me sit to the side. Read through my texts for TWENTY MINUTES at least. Thought I was going to die. We have fought a lot recently. Most of recent texts were quite unpleasant between me and him. Not a reason to kick me out of the country I know. But I was so so embarrassed and horrified she read all that personal stuff. Also had tons of inappropriate pics and vids (some I took some he did). She definitely looked at my pics as well bc it was open to a different part.

Finally she called me back. I was terrified. But she was like okay you can go. But she asked me his full name. I was too scared to say anything but the truth. She DEFINITELY made some note in my record about it. What could she have written? Am I/are we screwed for the future. Please.... Any advice or similar experiences....

[differentcountries]

It sounds like she read through you and found out that you are boyfriend/girlfriend and strictly speaking not friends as you claimed. They also react very much to people who don't print their return flight tickets as it simply looks dodgy, as if you have no plans returning. When SO visited and had forgotten to print his return tickets, the airport got not only immigation but the airport POLICE involved and held him in some sort of custody until I forwarded SOs return ticket to the police through the mail. And even when I visit my neigbouring country without a visa, they refuse to let me fly home on electronical tickets. I am not sure why, but they find it suspicious somehow.

As you worked together with the immigration on this occation, I don't think you wil be in trouble, just take a mental not to always print your tickets and everything else you can think of.

[honeybunny]

Accidentally deleted my post while trying to edit. Anyway I was wondering why you couldn't say you are a couple? Does it cause problems? And dual nationality shouldn't be a problem. I have it. UK and my dad's country. It's never caused me any issues.

[sasad]

And what's wrong with electronic tickets?? that's the ONLY way I have my tickets sent anymore... Or is it just a US thing??

[Miasmata]

There's nothing wrong with electronic tickets, but immigration officers can be very strict, so it's better to have the ticket printed out just in case.

[sasad]

Thank you. I was totally unaware of that.

[MissingMyDutchLove]

I don't know, I have traveled a lot and I have never had any problems with electronic tickets. Maybe I just got lucky, but it seems stupid considering you have a return flight booked already. I also find it hard to believe that the lady had any business looking through your phone. That seems so incredibly unprofessional and sketchy. You aren't going to find any proof by looking through my text messages and pictures!

[Miasmata]

You'd be surprised what immigration officers are allowed to get away with under the guise of protecting the country. Of course they have very important jobs and safety is key, but they get a shocking amount of leeway with which they can do more than often necessary or healthy.

[itsalwaysyou]

To be honest in reply to someone who asked above, I've always said friend instead of boyfriend in large part to horror stories I've read on here... Particularly between the US and UK I think it can be difficult. I never in a million years thought I'd have trouble entering Ireland.

So... Do you think I'll have some trouble coming back here after this? Or be okay as long as I have my tickets/lease/job info (everything I should have had this time ) ready?

[whatruckus]

To be honest in reply to someone who asked above, I've always said friend instead of boyfriend in large part to horror stories I've read on here... Particularly between the US and UK I think it can be difficult. I never in a million years thought I'd have trouble entering Ireland.

So... Do you think I'll have some trouble coming back here after this? Or be okay as long as I have my tickets/lease/job info (everything I should have had this time ) ready?

Personally, I've never gone through this, but I think you should be okay. You were pretty honest, the only thing you didn't mention was that he was a boyfriend instead of a friend. But, like others have said, definitely have everything printed next time. Just because. I'm sorry you went through that, you must've been terrified and so worried.

[Lille]

Anyway I was wondering why you couldn't say you are a couple? Does it cause problems?

Well they might question you further, how long you've been together, weather you are planing to marry during your visit etc. because in some countries you have to do the paperwork for your wedding before entering the country or proove that you werent planing to marry when you flew in. or any number of other silly regulations.

However you can not be blamed for calling him/her a friend instead of your gf/bf.
there is no legal difference and no documents to proove it.
Even the texts, the pics and vids dont really prove anything because there is no law against sending those to a friend.
If you are married you of course have to say so, because its in your papers and your legal relationship to that person has changed. but before your marriage it doesnt matter what you call it. boyfriend, friend, friends with bennifits, significant other or fuck buddy might be names you use to define your relationship, but dont matter at all legaly and are frankly none of the authorities business.

Also i think you dont have to provide your phone in that situation. (it would have definitly taken you way longer to get through the border, but i doubt you not printing your return ticket would count as probable cause for searching your phone.)

[dizzyupthemeg]

I don't think I would stress about this too much. She let you in the country. If there was an issue, she wouldn't have. I wouldn't worry about the future unless I had been denied.