This is one of the hardest things I’ve ever experienced, and writing about it feels surreal. My family was denied entry into the country while coming to visit me, and for a while, I thought it was entirely my fault.
It started with a call from an unknown number. Lately, I’d been getting nonstop spam and fraud alerts, so when this call came through claiming to be from the migration office, I was skeptical. They kept asking who they were speaking to without explaining why they were calling. Suspicious, I told them I didn’t know and hung up.
Hours later, my mother called me in tears. They weren’t being allowed into the country because of that call. My heart dropped. It felt like the ground had disappeared beneath me. They’d spent so much money and flown all this way to celebrate my birthday, only to be turned away at the airport.
I couldn’t stop crying. I couldn’t move. I felt like I’d ruined everything. Alone in this country with no one to turn to, I kept replaying the phone call in my head, wondering what I should’ve done differently.
Edit: After speaking with the consulate, I learned that what happened wasn’t technically a deportation it was a “denied entry.” I hadn’t even known the term before, and understanding the distinction didn’t make the pain any easier.
Update: Eventually, I managed to contact the consulate. Though they couldn’t assist with denied entry cases, they explained that many visitors had been turned away recently due to tightened entry regulations. It wasn’t just us it was bad luck.
Someone at the airport was kind enough to let my family make one last call to let me know they were safe and boarding a return flight. I tried asking about reattempting entry with more paperwork, but they warned it might seem suspicious.
So now I’m spending the holidays alone, but at least I know they’re safe. The consulate confirmed that even people with all the proper paperwork were being denied entry. It wasn’t something I could’ve prevented but knowing that only helped a little.
Comments That Helped Me Cope
The outpouring of support and helpful explanations from strangers online helped me breathe again.
Someone kindly explained: “It’s called denied entry, not deportation. Sorry this happened to you.” That simple correction helped me find more information when I felt lost and overwhelmed.
Another person reassured me: “They called you because they suspected your family might not return to their country if allowed in. That isn’t 100% because you didn’t take the phone call that just means you didn’t provide evidence either way. This isn’t your fault.” Reading that helped me stop blaming myself, even if only for a moment.
One commenter offered a legal perspective: “If they were punished with ‘expedited removal’ orders, it could mean a 5-year bar on reentry. But if they were allowed to withdraw their applications for admission, that’s different.” This insight helped me understand the process a little better.
Finally, someone wrote something that truly stuck with me: “You did what anyone would’ve done in your situation. This isn’t on you.” Those words still echo in my mind, reminding me that even though things went horribly wrong, I wasn’t entirely to blame.
Sometimes, life throws curveballs that leave you breathless with guilt and sorrow. But even in the darkest moments, compassion whether from loved ones or strangers can light the way back to hope.
