Ok my problem is that about a year and half ago I entered the US on a
J1 student work visa from Ireland. I stayed about 3 months. During my
time in Boston I got a phone out in my name and myself and my friends
ran up a bill of I would say around $500 - $1000. I?m not sure though
as I only ever got one bill of around $200. Needless to say I never
paid it (I left money to pay it with my friends who were staying
longer but they forgot and I never received any bill home to my Irish
address). I am now planning to renter the US this summer for a week?s
holiday in Florida. I am wondering will this unpaid bill cause a
problem on re-entry. The reason I ask is that I read a story in a
local newspaper about an Irish man who had an unpaid parking ticket.
This showed up when they scanned his passport on re-entry. His was
subsequently dragged off, Jailed for one month and deported. All for a
parking ticket. So will this unpaid phone bill show up when they scan
my passport. I have no problem paying the bill, but my house rental
company in Boston never sent it on to my Irish address as they would
have a copy of my passport, Irish phone number, address etc. So am I
safe to go on Holiday or should I try to find out how to pay this bill
(The phone company is Verzion). Any info on how to find out if your
passport is ok would be appricated too.

---

Clarification of Question by dan1842-ga on 22 Jan 2005 16:29 PST

Response to Comments

Ya I do feel bad, and I will pay the bill but just because the phone
account was in my name doesn?t mean I used it. There was around 12
other people using the phone and abusing my trust and when the time
came to pay the bill I was left to foot the charge. I have learned a
valuable lesson not to trust everybody and will pay the bill.
But my question still stands. Say Verzion contacted Immigration and
got a flag on my passport to say that I reneged on my phone debt. Even
if I paid the bill, I seriously doubt Verzion would straight away ring
Immigration again to get that flag removed. It would probably take
months, even years to get that kind of thing removed off your
passport.
So my question still stands that I have an outstanding phone bill in
the US. Even if I pay it will I have seriously problem at immigration
when I arrive in the states?

Hi, the government does not get mixed up in civil debts.  The reason
the parking ticket person got into trouble was that a warrent more
than likely got issured for the ticket he did not pay - and he got
arrested. Skipping out on a ticket, even a parking ticket is a crime
against the community or government.  And they really, really want
their money!

If you are really worried about this, pay it:

http://www22.verizon.com/CustomerSupport/ContactUs/Index/

If you aren't that worried about it - just be prepared with $$$ in
case something does happen.

Pay the bill.  Don't you feel bad about skipping out on a debt?

Ya I do feel bad, and I will pay the bill but just because the phone
account was in my name doesn?t mean I used it. There was around 12
other people using the phone and abusing my trust and when the time
came to pay the bill I was left to foot the charge. I have learned a
valuable lesson not to trust everybody and will pay the bill.
But my question still stands. Say Verzion contacted Immigration and
got a flag on my passport to say that I reneged on my phone debt. Even
if I paid the bill, I seriously doubt Verzion would straight away ring
Immigration again to get that flag removed. It would probably take
months, even years to get that kind of thing removed off your
passport.
So my question still stands that I have an outstanding phone bill in
the US. Even if I pay it will I have seriously problem at immigration
when I arrive in the states?

From what I have found you will have no problems when returning to
Amercia. But if you decided to live here from the choice you made. You
got the phone in your name so it is you who will be held liable. That
means if you choose to live here and pay off that dept you will not
have a good credit score for 7 years. Which means no loans or anything
to that matter that envloves you to have good credit.

Uninsured immigrants who fail to pay their medical bills are being
reported to immigration officials and warned that they could face
deportation under a new University Medical Center policy.

http://www.vivatucson.com/viva.php3?level=sub&category=health&subs=yes&subcat=article&id=2135

Under a 1996 federal law, sponsors of legal immigrants must sign an
"affidavit of support" promising to pay for public services before the
immigrant can enter the country.

http://www.thedesertsun.com/news/stories2004/state/20040823001820.shtml

Hi! Please visit my website www.utilityopt.citymax.com 
I am sure if you contact me, I can assist you with your questions. I
have been in the telecom business for years and the company that I
currently work has been in business for 12 years. They offer local
phone, long distance, wireless, DSL, dial-up internet, VoIP, and
energy (including gas and electric) for your home or business. Contact
me if you are ready to join the best low cost company around.

citimax sucks, as do all spammers.