Cisco Business Owner, Australian Citizen Claims Harassment by Customs Agents
By: Josh Berry
Updated: March 12, 2012
A Cisco business owner claims he's been harassed by US Customs coming in and out of the country, simply because he's an Australian resident.
His unique business brings in millions of dollars into the local economy but that could be threatened.
He said he's been treated like a terrorist at the airport.
A mistake, or what a US customs agent deemed a lie on a form, started it all for Mike O'Sullivan.
He and his girlfriend were traveling back into the states when they tried to get through customs. However, it wouldn't be a simple process at all.
He had all his paper work but the customs agent threatened to tear it out of his passport.
"I wouldn't ever be allowed back in America," O'Sullivan recounted what he was told.
His girlfriend, who's he's recently asked to marry, had it worse.
They took her into an interview room and according to O'Sullivan, treated it like an interrogation.
Customs agents wouldn't allow her into the country because of apparent problems with her Visa.
She was also told that once she was sent back to Australia, the customs agents could make it to where she would never be allowed back.
"He said that he could make it that she'd never leave Australia again."
Companies that O'Sullivan works with overseas are holding out on his business, Supermarine, and multi-million dollar contracts till his immigration status is worked out.
O'sullivan said he wonders why there appears to be nothing in place to help a business man like him who is bringing money into the country.
As far as US Customs is concerned, they said behavior like this is not something they expect from their agents.
"We do strive to provide a very professional service to arriving visitors," said Customs and Border Protection Representative, Paula Rivera.
Often, US Customs Agents are the first face immigrants, tourists and business owners see coming into the country.
That encounter for O'Sullivan was anything but professional. He said he was treated like a terrorist.
"Absolutely insulting and I'm sure the powers that be wouldn't not approve of it and I'm quite happy to go on record," he said.
He's working with the city of Cisco to get this situation and his immigration status straightened out.
"The town people here couldn't have been better," he said. "They are the people that lobbied me to come over."
Now they're trying to keep him here. They said they're ready and willing to write letters and visit with anyone necessary to expedite O'Sullivan's process.
If something like this happens again, the repercussions could be drastic.
"If they don't want me here I'll go home."
US Customs and Border Protection has provided websites for people in O'Sullivan's situation to contact and compliment or complain.
His unique business brings in millions of dollars into the local economy but that could be threatened.
He said he's been treated like a terrorist at the airport.
A mistake, or what a US customs agent deemed a lie on a form, started it all for Mike O'Sullivan.
He and his girlfriend were traveling back into the states when they tried to get through customs. However, it wouldn't be a simple process at all.
He had all his paper work but the customs agent threatened to tear it out of his passport.
"I wouldn't ever be allowed back in America," O'Sullivan recounted what he was told.
His girlfriend, who's he's recently asked to marry, had it worse.
They took her into an interview room and according to O'Sullivan, treated it like an interrogation.
Customs agents wouldn't allow her into the country because of apparent problems with her Visa.
She was also told that once she was sent back to Australia, the customs agents could make it to where she would never be allowed back.
"He said that he could make it that she'd never leave Australia again."
Companies that O'Sullivan works with overseas are holding out on his business, Supermarine, and multi-million dollar contracts till his immigration status is worked out.
O'sullivan said he wonders why there appears to be nothing in place to help a business man like him who is bringing money into the country.
As far as US Customs is concerned, they said behavior like this is not something they expect from their agents.
"We do strive to provide a very professional service to arriving visitors," said Customs and Border Protection Representative, Paula Rivera.
Often, US Customs Agents are the first face immigrants, tourists and business owners see coming into the country.
That encounter for O'Sullivan was anything but professional. He said he was treated like a terrorist.
"Absolutely insulting and I'm sure the powers that be wouldn't not approve of it and I'm quite happy to go on record," he said.
He's working with the city of Cisco to get this situation and his immigration status straightened out.
"The town people here couldn't have been better," he said. "They are the people that lobbied me to come over."
Now they're trying to keep him here. They said they're ready and willing to write letters and visit with anyone necessary to expedite O'Sullivan's process.
If something like this happens again, the repercussions could be drastic.
"If they don't want me here I'll go home."
US Customs and Border Protection has provided websites for people in O'Sullivan's situation to contact and compliment or complain.
