US immigration has reportedly failed to accurately log some outbound Australian passengers, which raises concerns over the efficiency of their exit checks for foreign nationals. This issue disrupted the holiday of Lismore resident Aaron Drooger, who, after returning to the US for the first time in 14 years this April, was informed that he had overstayed his visa by over 4,000 days. He suspect that his departure from Hawaii back in 2011 was never documented properly, leading to this misunderstanding. As a result, Drooger faced considerable financial loss and holiday disruption, being denied boarding for a flight he had booked after arriving in Canada from a cruise.
Similarly, Queensland couple Julie and Phil Lawton encountered difficulties after receiving notifications from US authorities that suggested they had overstayed their ESTA, despite being back in Australia for weeks. They reported needing to jump through multiple hoops to prove their timely return and remain fearful that they may never be permitted to visit the US again due to this administrative blunder.
Moreover, Vicki Robinson’s travel plans were derailed when her ESTA was cancelled unexpectedly while attempting to leave for a cruise. Despite a valid ESTA upon departure, she found herself forced to return to Australia prematurely, as her friends and husband continued on without her.
Legal experts indicate that these complications may arise due to inaccuracies in the Customs and Border Protection’s record-keeping, which often depends on flight manifests to log departures. Mistakes in recording travel for foreign nationals can lead to inaccurate ‘overstay’ claims, and this has been echoed by others who faced similar issues, resulting in lost money and altered travel plans.
Unfortunately, travel insurance policies may not cover such losses, as many classify these situations as avoidable visa issues. Immigration sources emphasise that travellers should remain vigilant and prepared for potential inconsistencies that can arise in their documentation, especially when travelling to the US.
Given these recurring problems, individuals have reported ongoing complications, with notices of overstays continuing to appear long after they have returned to Australia. Despite reaching out to authorities for clarification, many affected travellers, like the Lawtons and Robinson, express frustration and uncertainty about rectifying these mistakes.
In conclusion, the lapses in US immigration’s tracking system have adversely affected several Australian travellers, leaving them grappling with serious administrative issues, financial losses, and fears over future travel to the US.