Was really looking forward to taking my mother on the cruise, having her meet everyone. She was really looking forward to it too.
I can’t communicate with her yet because she’s still in secondary.
Going to stop for now coz quite numb.
Conversation
My mother hasn’t wanted to travel to the US—and hasn’t—for years. She was making an exception for me & this cruise where I could introduce her to my friends & colleagues.
15
8
173
Just to be completely clear about this.
At check-in, the agent said there was a problem with my mother’s passport. In front of us, she called Customs & Immigration, explained the problem, & after about half an hour said we were cleared to go through.
2
9
159
UA gave us boarding passes. I got to the gate, waited. I chose to miss my flight so we could rebook together.
THEN I was told—after asking, worried—that she wouldn’t be able to fly.
Like DHS just changed its mind.
5
14
169
The United Airlines employees were aghast, btw—this isn’t on them. If my mum had just been turned away at check-in this would be only 10% as shitty.
It’s like they let her through JUST so they could fucking trap her in secondary.
10
13
239
She’s still there. She’s been there for over two hours now. I’m waiting for her to come out. I’m evaluating whether or not to fly myself.
7
4
146
This is where we're at, because in general & in particular are the absolute indescribable best.
(small correction: my mum works in IT initiatives in support of passport modernization, not PO.)
Quote Tweet
We're flying Amal's mom to Roatan where she can join the cruise. "Fortunately" we knew that the TSA has held up Amal before, so we budgeted for a last minute flight that doesn't connect through the US. But what does it say that this is something we have to plan for?
Show this thread
12
33
418
Many thanks to everyone who's expressing support & anger. It genuinely means a lot, especially after the initial crop of white nationalist responses (which, do they have search alerts set up for bad airport experiences? Such a wealth of time, such a dearth of actual life).
12
11
390
My mother, by the way, came out of there so cool & wry. I'd been worried she'd be upset, but my mother is, unhyperbolically, a goddamn goddess.
6
7
462
She told me that her parting words to the border guards were "This is why people prefer Cuba."
& later, thoughtfully, after I told her I was worried she'd be upset: "it only hurts if you feel like you've lost something. I haven't."
My mother has seen so much worse than a bored fucking border guard, ultimately. So.
Thank you again for you all your kindness & rage. You're wonderful. Here's hoping the trip can still come together sidewise.
30
3
329
Appending a thread I RT'd elsewhere.
Quote Tweet
People should be able to enter my country. I shouldn't have to help friends coming here for work or for the weekend find immigration lawyers' contact info "just in case."
America fails, again and again, its moral duty of hospitality. twitter.com/MaryRobinette/…
Show this thread
4
22
135
Further update: the travel Valkyries have worked their fierce magic & my mother is on an alternate route that, if all goes well, should intersect with ours in Roatan.
My own route, meanwhile, has intersected with this G&T.
9
2
323
Deep, inarticulable thanks to , , Lisa H, & all of for working furiously to make this happen. I’m going to spend the next 10 days figuring out ways to express my gratitude.
13
3
251
Your mother is amazing. I am so furious and ashamed of my country.
1
6
