I flew to London-Heathrow a week ago on my way to Glasgow, Scotland where I was to give a 2-dayworkshop, a day of consultation and a seminar. The University of Glasgow was to pay for my expenses and services and 41 grad students, post docs, and faculty were registered for the workshop. I was detained at Heathrow by the UK Border Agency for nearly 5 hours. During this time I was searched, questioned, fingerprinted, photograhped and moved from one secure room to the next -- like a criminal. My carry-on suitcase and leather bag with my workshop materials were emptied and searched, along with my wallet. I asked on 7 different occasions to be able to call the US Embassy -- these requests were denied! At the end of this long process the agent announced that I was to be deported the next day! They claimed that I did not have a special visa or a "certificate of sponsorship." Indeed, I had neither; I had never heard of such requirements for a US citizen. I have spent 42 years working in academic/science and have travelled to many foreign countries. I have never experienced such detention and deportation.
UK universities, travel agents, immigration attorneys, my US Senator's office and others are now trying to unravel exactly what papers are actually required. This search has proven to be difficult for a number of reasons. This matter is important as all the UK universities have academic visitors arriving daily for conferences, symposia, workshops, and seminars, etc., etc. with countless agreements concerning reimbursments and honoraria. It seems that special documents are now required or one faces deportation and all the related expenses. I will post agian if I learn more; in the meantime, professionals going to the UK should make every effort to obtain the "required" documents.
