A B.C. firefighter says he was denied entry into the US, the place he was going to participate in a contest for First Responders from completely different international locations world wide.
Jamie Flynn posted on social media on Thursday to element what occurred to him when he was en path to Birmingham, Alabama. He mentioned he was purported to signify Vancouver firefighters within the Jiu Jitsu class on the
World Police & Fireplace Video games
. He described the video games as an “worldwide occasion uniting frontline responders by means of sport,” in a put up on Instagram.
“Being denied entry to the US is deeply upsetting,” he advised Nationwide Publish in an emailed assertion on Friday.
“I misplaced my flights, my time away, and my alternative to compete on the World Police & Fireplace Video games in Alabama — an occasion I had skilled extensively for.”
A put up shared by Jamie Flynn (@jamieflynnbase)
Flynn mentioned he’s a British citizen dwelling in Canada as a everlasting resident.
He’s a firefighter in Vancouver and volunteers with Squamish Search and Rescue. He has served within the British Parachute Regiment (SFSG) and has additionally served alongside U.S. forces beneath Joint Particular Operations Command.
“I operated beneath U.S. command, wore the American uniform, and fought beneath the American flag. I’ve at all times felt a powerful bond with the US,” he advised Nationwide Publish. “I’ve no felony document and no identified points that might justify this denial.”
In his put up on Instagram, he mentioned he skilled for the competitors within the U.S. for months. “And nonetheless, I’m grounded — sidelined not by harm or lack of effort, however by forms and silence,” he wrote.
Flynn supposed to fly to Alabama from Vancouver Worldwide Airport on Wednesday. He by no means made his flight as a result of his Digital System for Journey Authorization (ESTA) had expired and wouldn’t be renewed,
. He mentioned he obtained an replace on the ESTA app that mentioned, “Journey not licensed.”
ESTA is an automatic system used to find out the eligibility of holiday makers to journey to the US beneath the Visa Waiver Program, in response to U.S. Customs and Border Safety. It’s legitimate for 2 years, or till a passport expires, and permits for a number of entries.
If a traveller receives a “journey not licensed” response to their software, CBP says on-line that they will look into making use of for a visa in the event that they nonetheless want to enter the nation. The denial solely prohibits journey beneath the Visa Waiver Program and doesn’t decide eligibility for a visa, per the company.
Canadian residents travelling with a Canadian passport
.
Flynn mentioned that he didn’t obtain a proof from anybody on the U.S. border, the U.S. consulate or the ESTA program.
“This appears like a clerical error,” he mentioned, and, he added, it’s value him 1000’s of {dollars}. “I’m gutted. I’m offended. And I need solutions.”
He ended the put up with the road: “We have been ok to struggle their wars — however not ok to cross their borders.”
Flynn advised Nationwide Publish that he’s wanting ahead to having the ability to go to the U.S. once more within the close to future. He has since submitted a visa software.
Sadly, he mentioned, the earliest obtainable appointment is Feb. 11, 2027.
College of Toronto legislation professor and Rebecca Prepare dinner Chair in Human Rights Legislation Audrey Macklin mentioned her recommendation for travellers going to the U.S. is to keep away from it altogether “except completely needed.”
“Even at the perfect of occasions, states usually deal with non-citizens arbitrarily, and don’t really feel obliged to elucidate their actions,” she advised Nationwide Publish over e-mail.
“That is generally justified on the bottom that non-citizens wouldn’t have a proper to enter, and due to this fact don’t have any standing to complain about how a choice to confess or exclude is made. Because the rule of legislation is in free fall in the US in the meanwhile, the arbitrariness is extra excessive, extra coercive, and extra frequent. That’s the reason travellers ought to keep away from the US if they will.”
U.S. Customs and Border Safety Public Affairs Officer Jessica Turner mentioned in an emailed assertion to Nationwide Publish that “CBP can’t touch upon specifics concerning travellers’ ESTA denials.”
“U.S. Embassies and Consulates aren’t capable of present particulars about ESTA denials or resolve the problem that induced the ESTA denial,” she mentioned. “Embassies and Consulates will course of an software for a non-immigrant visa, which, if accredited, would be the solely manner {that a} traveler whose ESTA software has been denied can be licensed to journey to the U.S.”
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