Another week, another US deportation under questionable circumstances. This time, I’m not jumping to any conclusions, but I do find it another interesting data point that three members (out of four) of a British punk band who were vocally against President Donald Trump were denied entry to the USA. But there also might be a much more straightforward explanation.
Three Members Of British Punk Band Denied Entry to USA: Was It For Invalid Visa Or Anti-Trump Rhetoric?
Here’s a summary of what happened, according to one of the band members:
- Bassist Alvin Gibb, a member of the punk rock band UK Subs, flew to Los Angeles (LAX) on United Airlines with his partner, Roz
- His fellow bandmembers flew on British Airways
- At LAX, Roz was granted entry but Gibb was detained
- An immigration officer told him he didn’t have the right visa for entry and “there was another issue, which they wouldn’t disclose”
- Per Gibb, “I’m now wondering if my regular and less than flattering public pronouncements regarding their president and his administration were a factor; or maybe that’s just me succumbing to paranoia.”
- Gibb was “taken by two police officers to another part of LAX and escorted to a very cold holding pen where I discovered Stefan and Marc [fellow band members] along with some Columbian, Chinese and Mexican detainees.”
- His luggage, phone and passport were taken
- At 4:00 am (he had arrived at 7:00 pm the previous night), Gibb was interviewed by “a very sympathetic female immigration officer, who even kindly went out into the airport to see if she could find Roz to update her on my situation”
- He was held until 8:00 pm the next evening and escorted directly to the United flight back to London
- Stefan and Marc were also deported on British Airways while a fourth bandmember, Charlie, was allowed into the USA
- As an aside, he lamented he was denied alcohol on United Airlines as United has a “no alcohol” policy for deported passengers
Gibb now believes he will never be able to return to the USA again.
I’m Not Buying This One (Yet)
Last week, I wrote about the French scientist who claimed to be denied entry into the USA for making anti-Trump statements to his colleagues. This claim was made by a French minister. But a counternarrative emerged when a low-ranking US official alleged on social media that the scientist had removed privileged material from a top-secret test lab without permission. That issue remains unsolved, with both France and US refusing to provide any updates on the record.
Here, the visa issue cannot be ignored. Does an English band traveling to Los Angeles for a weekend concert need a work visa? (It appears the answer is yes and an O-1B or P-1B visa is needed). Were the band members simply traveling on an ESTA? What was the “second issue” used to deny entry? Why was that additional issue even brought up if the visa issue alone would have been enough to deny entry?
I do find stories–even allegations–like concerning and I take them seriously because I’ve seen poor treatment from US officials personally and from close friends. No matter your opinion on immigration, I would hope every American would want US officials to treat foreign visitors respectfully at US airports. That doesn’t mean agents cannot ask questions, but no one should be talked down to like a criminal at the initial point of entry. It feels like many immigration officers have been emboldened under the new administration to be much more aggressive in allowing Europeans into this country (and I know many are in support of such a policy).
This story is inconclusive and I make absolutely no judgment at this point. But if the band members had been traveling to the USA for years on a visa waiver and now suddenly need a visa, I wish the US would clarify that to avoid similar incidents in the future. As always, though, you are responsible for making sure you have a valid visa and a valid visa does not guarantee entry into the USA.
he deserves it. why would he want to come when others packed and left.
Just don’t visit the US – it just isn’t worth the risks right now.
It could be he had a prior drug arrest ( or something similar ) that was the issue. Needless to say things seem to be evaluated differently daily. I only suggest drugs because of his back in the day association with Iggy Pop. But who knows anymore?
Sounds like if they’re being paid by a US based source, even for one show, an ESTA isn’t valid. Though honestly, who could possibly fault them for assuming that. I have no idea what Schengen/CTA/Aus/NZ rules say about that, but you can bet I’d assume I’d be fine. What a shame, and what an unnecessary deportation.
Tell the Aussie’s you will work in any way on a tourist visa, they will deny entry. It’s a regular theme of Border Secutity (reality TV). Having posessed 23 Aussie ETAs, it is very clearly a condition. N. B. Some volunteer work is alliwed.
Yeah, if anything, Australia and New Zealand are much more strict with immigration laws than the USA.
And, don’t tell anybody, if you are born in Australia you’re not automatically an Australian citizen unless you have a parent who is a citizen or permanent resident. Children of people on student or tourists visas: not a citizen at birth. A child of parents who overstayed a visa or snuck in the country: not a citizen.
They need a P-1 Visa. They probably didn’t have one. Kind of bullshit to blame Trump when they messed up.
Oh the ego to think that customs give a damn what this jackass thinks about Trump. Get your paperwork right next time idiot!
We have seen the new go to, regardless of veracity. Anytime your are denied entry, it’s just be because you’re anti-Trump. It’s the new norm. Kicked off a flight? It’s because you’re (select all that apply): pro-Trump, anti-Trump, gay, straight, black, white, on and on.
@Matthew, I truly have no idea and I too am concerned about what is happening.
With that said, how do we right this ship?
Clearly, no amount of individuals are going to make a difference, the Congress, at least the GOP have zero spines, this is scary.
You were in Washington, what can be do if anything?
Also, I would like to email you a question, but I don’t have your email address, is there a way I can email you or is that not allowed?
I don’t have Social Media, so that method is out for me.
Oh the horror, the humanity ! A trans-Atlantique ‘fright’ without any alcohol to dull the pain !! At least UA can save a penny on that cuz they be gettin’ a fine ! \
This may be Charlie’s break on a solo career ! And what about poor Roz ? Did she stay or voluntarily returne to the UK with Alvin ? And if she stayed, can we trust her with Charlie ?
Inquiring minds need to know, can’t wait for the next chapter in this sordid drama !
Today De Santis advanced removing the child labor laws. Why ? Suddenly Florida figured out they need workers to replace the migrants. So now we will start to use children as young as fourteen to work overnight ( for less than minimum wage) to fill the gap. Maybe we should think twice about deportation.
I’ve been denied entry to Canada twice because my work visa wasn’t correct. I wonder if I should have went on Instagram & Twitter to blame my dislike of Trudeau as the reason (fwiw I have Nexus).
(the company goofed up on one, was for the wrong tasks, 2nd time was wrong dates).
This stuff happens, but sadly TDS is all over the media and socials – so anything to make the US look bad is at the forefront right now.
Were you deported and banned for five years?
…..Or in the case of some held in lockdown for weeks waiting for judge to sign off?
UK Subs have been touring in the U.S. for literal years. Curious that after all these trips over multiple decades that there would be Visa snafus on this occasion? Seems off. One? Ok? Perhaps. But the majority of them?
Interestingly, Hockey players at times deal with this. When players are traded between the U.S. of Canada (called up, etc) they experience issues on rare occasion given last minute filings. The difference? They are not deported with no recourse. They are typically told to wait and some hours later the issue is remedied.
Matthew reports to the secondary ” undisclosed violation ” . Anymore this could be anything. My guess it was a digging into the past interviews and memoirs released in the last few years. , The present administration is desperate to show numbers. Sad.
In case anyone is wondering what Clash lyric Alvin Gibbs was referencing as a conclusion to this ordeal?
“I’m so bored with the U.S.A.
I’m so bored with the U.S.A.
But what can I do?”
One of my top 100 Albums. And a very poignant song to capture the moment.
I buy the visa issue.
I do not buy the “some other issue which they would not disclose”. You have one side of the story—and heaven forbid that anyone would exaggerate and embellish on a story, particularly when it cannot be proven either way.
My view has nothing to do with any comments he may or may not have made prior to arrival. CBP has more important things to worry about than screening the thousands upon thousands of people entering the U.S. each and every day for comments they may or may not have made, and do so in the first few minutes of contact with said person.
Just my view from the cheap seats……
He wants deported, he was denied entry. Having errors like this makes your story lose all credibility. Obviously written with a bias in mind.
You are quibbling. Being deported means being legally forced to leave a country. You can argue he never entered the country, but it’s functionally equivalent.
Denied entry, held in immigration custody then put on a flight home sounds like deportation to me.
If they hate President Trump so much—-why would they want to come here?Keep your TDS at home.
He says. He said. He claimed. He alleged. Might as well go ahead and publish another one, Matthew. Click, click, click.