Regional travel ban caused more harm than good
MARIOBO, ARG - 7/5/2017
The Mariobo Times met with victims of the
United Nations of Earthlings travel ban on
Taitung Pinyin nationals that was erected by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led by
TimeRocks. Nationwide protests erupting today, demanding that the Foreign Ministry apologize to
Taitung Pinyin and its nationals as well as the nations of the region.
Blockade of protesters on the arrivals hall of Argentinstan City International Airport's Terminal 3.
Ben Afleck, a Tai national, at the Connectarg Coliseum in Argentinstan City. "My mom moved to Argentinstan back in 2014 to get treatment at a cancer treatment center. She was diagnosed in December of 2013 with stage 3 breast cancer. In
Taitung Pinyin, the doctors told her to go to
Argentinstan where there was an excellent treatment program and center outside Argentinstan City. She entered Argentinstan on Montevideo status which got her the right to live, work, and study in the nation.
My biggest mistakes were my crimes which landed me jail sentences. That made me inadmissible to
Argentinstan on Montevideo status and I needed a visa. In May of 2016, my mom called from her treatment center and told me that she had end stage breast cancer and I remembered vividly that she said "I'm dying Ben, I'm dying." My mother did not sob or cry. It still warms my heart to this day. She was a strong woman.
I applied for a 90 day tourist visa at the Argentine consulate. I got a response about 3 weeks later and it was no because of my criminal record. I called the embassy in Gekan this time and they told me that of my criminal history, I may be permanently inadmissible to the country.
I read online that one, even with my record, could get a tourist visa. I contacted the guy who wrote it and they guy told me to fly to Vancouver where the consular officers are much more sympathetic and apply there. I took his advice and nearly used all my cash to book a one-way flight to Vancouver. With
Mjobsarous declaring Vancouver an open, international zone I got in with no formalities.
In March of 2017, I applied for a visa again due to the Argentine government's limits of the period you can apply for a visa once you've been denied. I showed up at my interview and explained by story to the consular officer. His face was sympathetic and he took my passport, and the documents I had brought and said the following words that I'll remember for the rest of my life.
"Mr. Afleck, I am granting you a 90-day tourist visa. May your mother recover and have a fulfilled and full life."
Two weeks later, my passport came to me via the hotel I was staying at. And inside, there was a piece of paper. And on that paper said "REPUBLIC OF ARGENTINSTAN," my details, and "90 DAY TOURIST VISA."
I booked a flight in June 2017 to Argentinstan City on Air Argentine that would depart late June/early July.
The night before, I got almost no sleep due to my excitement and that day until I got on the plane, I was, for the first time in a long time, happy. Onboard the flight, I slept all the way to Argentinstan City and when I woke up the plane touched down. I held my passport and my carry-on bag as I deplaned and lined up for immigration and customs.
However at the immigration/customs counter, the immigration officer took my Tai passport and scanned it, then checking for a visa. He saw the 90-day tourist visa and his face grew stern. I will never forget that face.
"Do you have a green card?" he asked me.
"No," I answered growing worried.
"You are inadmissible," he told me.
"What? I have a tourist visa," I told him, my worry level over the top.
"Yes you would normally be allowed in. But the foreign ministry of the region banned Tai nationals and we have to observe that."
I nearly broke down in tears. That moment, all my hopes were crushed.
"Please follow me."
I followed him to a room where they questioned me. Then they gave me the option of returning to Taitung Pinyin voluntarily or be deported. I chose to leave voluntarily of course and boarded the next flight back.
My mother died the next morning. It is saddening to see that the regional government ignoring what Tai nationals have and do in Argentinstan. We have things to get to and to do as well and I don't think the Foreign Ministry understands that."
-Ben Afleck
Ben later entered
Argentinstan after the ban was lifted.