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Member since 04 February 2023

Michael9025Member04 February 2023 13:51:42

Good evening all, I'm an American and have been living here since October of 2017. I recently went to immigration and am dealing with a major mistake, on their part, and am seeking some help/advice. To put it in the simplest terms possible, they mistook me for someone else. A little more information on that. I went there to pay overstay fines. Even though I told them my name and wrote and signed it, several times, I was sent home with someone else's paperwork and am supposed to pick up my (the other persons) passport and ACR card in a few days. I did not have to pay anything before I left and was told I only have to pay yearly, since the other person has a 13a, I only have and have always had a tourist Visa, which I had also told them. I want to avoid any problems because I want to stay here permanently. I honestly don't feel I should have to pay any past fines or ones that will continue to build up, while I try to get this mess sorted, as it was no fault of my own. So, if anyone else has experienced something similar or could offer any advice/suggestions, I'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks for reading and thanks in advance, for any help.

kristopherryanwatson Philippines Advisor

Member since 14 November 2021

kristopherryanwatsonPhilippines Advisor04 February 2023 15:20:10

421

@Michael9025

Wow, what a scenario of misunderstanding. Definitely problematic for your intentions to stay here, to say the least.

is there any possible way you can track down the person you have been mistaken for ?

danfinn ViP

Member since 05 February 2022

danfinnViP04 February 2023 15:36:05

1522

@kristopherryanwatson I might contact a visa consultant like JRC who had internal contacts to work this out. Might cost a few pesos but worth it considering language barriers etc..

Michael9025 Member

Member since 04 February 2023

Michael9025Member04 February 2023 18:10:14

@kristopherryanwatson I don't even know if the person is still here or even alive, I hate to think that. But considering they're almost 20 years older than me and I just turned 53...

In their paperwork that was given to me, there is a lawyer's name that they apparently used. I have thought about trying to contact them. Someone else had also suggested that I take the paperwork to the US Embassy and explain everything to them. I've already dealt with so many problems here in the almost 6 years that I have been here and this is really disheartening. And I'm disabled so it's been getting harder and harder for me to travel much, I have a fractured vertebrae and bulging discs in my neck, from a car accident, 20+ years ago.

Michael9025 Member

Member since 04 February 2023

Michael9025Member04 February 2023 18:11:37

@danfinn I will certainly look into this, as well. Thank you for the information.

danfinn ViP

Member since 05 February 2022

danfinnViP05 February 2023 00:48:12

1522

@Michael9025
Wow, what a scenario of misunderstanding. Definitely problematic for your intentions to stay here, to say the least.
is there any possible way you can track down the person you have been mistaken for ?
-@kristopherryanwatson

This looks like a simple mixup. I think BI would understand that they made the mistake and not make it problematic for Michael at all. Either go to a professional visa agency to resolve it, or a lawyer or go talk to a supervisor at the BI office. They will not penalize him for their own mistake.

Bhavna Team

Member since 01 June 2015

BhavnaTeam05 February 2023 14:42:46

40419

Hello everyone,

Please note that some off-topic posts were removed from this thread due to some misunderstandings.

Regards

Bhavna

kristopherryanwatson Philippines Advisor

Member since 14 November 2021

kristopherryanwatsonPhilippines Advisor05 February 2023 19:28:54

421

@Bhavna

Thank you Bhava for your stepping in.

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