Entering USA with my new passport

[speedbird187]

I have a criminal record for an offence that I deeply regret leading to a convition in 2002 for serious assualt on my then best friend. Hence I am NOT going to get a visa. However my new employer is unaware of this and as I have a new name and passport, will I be stopped at Immigration and deported. According to the UK website my passport contains : Passport Number
Surname
First Name(s)
Date of birth
Place of birth
Gender
Validity
Digitised image (photograph)
Signature

There is no link to my old name on the PNC. So the question then becomes, does the fingerprint check have a link to the UK Police database that will flag me up. I have been told to go and I obviuosly will lose my job if I get arrested. Heads up anyone.

[tigwig]

this question has been answered many many times. US immigration DO NOT have access to UK police records unless it is anything really really serious like drug traffiking or terrorism. Do not worry and just fill in the visa waiver form and tick no to any convictions.

[speedbird187]

Yes I know I've done the reading but what has changed is the ability to link via the fingerprint. My query is will the passport flag as a name change and then I will be stopped etcetc OR does the fingerprint link automatically to the checks on the UK Police National Computer. Sorry to repeat myself but I couldn't find an answer to these two particular queries.
Thanks.

[Buenchico]

While the UK authorities do pass on specific information about certain individuals (e.g people convicted of, or suspected of, offences relating to drug-smuggling or terrorism), EU privacy laws prevent them from opening up their entire criminal database to other governments. So the finger print scan can't be linked into the UK PNC.

There is no information stored electronically on your passport which isn't visible in print. So, if you can't visually read anything about your name change, the US authorities won't be able to read it electronically.

Chris

[munchie63]

they certainly can't link US customs security equipment straight to our police computers.

The Border control take a finger print in order to confirm it's you entering/leaving.
Also, it obviously helps them if someones flagged on Interpol's list, or the USA's watchlist. And if crimes are commited, then they're vuilding up their own huge database of fingerprints.

They fingerprint everyone on entry.....imagine evry country in the world allowing access to police records - most wouldn't have the technology to allow this - but if they did, it would take longer than your holiday for the match to come back.

What you should remember though, is that if you go now and tick the waiver box, you'll have to blag it the same way if you ever wish to return to the US.

[jno]

as far as I know they basically take your fingerprint to check against their own files; if this is your first visit, there shouldn't be a problem. Good luck with your new life and, obviously, stay out of trouble.

Oh and of course don't have anything whatever on you or in your luggage that identifies your past - they do still check luggage, mainly at random.

[dzug]

Assault is not always a crime of moral turpitude and a conviction MAY not debar you from a visa waiver anyway. It's more the intent, and whether a deadly weapon was used, that determines moral turpitude, not the seriousness of any injuries caused.

Have a read here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moral_turpitude

[speedbird187]

Thanks to all who replied. Cheers guys.

[Dee Sa]

just do what everyone else does, lie, tick the box for no convictions, dont worry, they dont have the access they say they have this is to deter undesirables.

[jno]

incidentally, you do have all the right permissions to work? They're very tough on anyone working without.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/weekend/story/0,,222 2973,00.html

[JonnoGenie]

It sometimes amazes me how the 'resident experts' here waive through UK criminals into the US. 'Oh you're a criminal, that's ok, just break the law again'

The US don't want criminals visiting their country. Simple enough isn't it?

[biologist]

Jonnogenie you prick. People can make mistakes in life and regret it. These people including myself can turn their life around and never make a mistake again. It's what the ROO was designed for. Narrow minded people like you need to get a reality check, not everything in life is black and white.

The fingerprint check is ONLY for their own purposes and people that have broken immigration laws, i.e someone with a stolen passport or someone who tried to get asylum in Britain but was declined. His/her fingerprints are taken and then sent to the other participating countries incase they try their luck there. It's not to check the PNC! All this is to deter the BIGTIME criminals from entering the USA.

[tylers]

I know this one is old however, does the same advice apply to Australia/New Z.? i.e. say nothing.
Thanks.