2 weeks ago I visited America to attend a WIMA (Women’s International Motorcycle Association) International rally that has been 4 years in the planning. It was also the 75th anniversary celebration of WIMA’s founding in USA. I am the current elected International President of WIMA.
I arrived by hire car from Canada at the St Stephen crossing, I admit to being a white, 71 years old woman and British Citizen, now living in France; I have no criminal record, no criticism of USA or the President on my social media (at least not in the past year), no sharp objects, drugs or alcohol (except a part-used 100ml bottle of mouth wash).
I had originally applied, several months earlier, for and approved for a US ESTA visitor visa but this was not required as I chose to arrive by car, not by aeroplane.
When I stopped at the crossing the US officer took my passport then asked me to park up to one side, leave my car, jacket, purse, all luggage, contents of my pockets and keys and enter a building where I was told that I would be asked about a Russian visa stamp in my passport from 8 years ago.
I quickly realised that I had been separated from all of my identity, financial and personal items should anything untoward happen to me.
I then spent the next 45 minutes being questioned by an armed, uniform clad border official.
- Why am I entering US? – A) – to attend a WIMA annual international rally
- Where is this event? – A) – Poland, Maine at the Agassiz Village.
- Who was the organiser – A) – Michelle Lamphere, National President of WIMA USA.
- How long am I proposing to stay in US? – A) 7 days, Saturday to Saturday
- Why do I have a Russian Visa in my passport? A)- I was attending a WIMA International Annual Rally in Estonia in 2017 and decided to come home via St Petersburg, Finland and Sweden rather than back the way that I came.
- Why do I have a Moroccan stamp in my passport? – A) To attend a WIMA Rally in Morocco
- Why did I stop in Iceland and Canada on my way to America? – A) to meet with members of WIMA Iceland
- Do I have a job – A) No I am retired
- What was my last job before I retired? – A) – A charity manager with Citizens Advice Bureau
- What was my job before that? – A) – A charity manager with Victim Support Scotland
- What was my job before that? – A Vulnerable Witness Officer with Scottish Government, supporting vulnerable women and children who are victims and witnesses of sexual abuse and serious crime.
Each answer was carefully written down on a form attached to a clip-board.
My car, including my luggage, was examined whilst I was being questioned.
The officer would occasionally stop and leave the room before returning to continue the questioning.
I can only imagine what it must feel like for people who have something to hide. The whole process was, no doubt, intended to intimidate and strike fear in visitors to USA; in that respect it succeeded.
I was eventually given a visa stamp in my passport, valid for 3 months.
Ironically, the officer’s parting words to me were “Welcome to America”
My entry into Canada on both occasions took less than 5 minutes each time and on the final date, I could not wait to get out of America, to feel safe again.
Donald Trump on the other hand, who is a convicted criminal, proven liar and bully is welcomed to UK with open arms by the Prime Minister and the Monarch.
Zara Strange
28 September 2025
