Hi guys,
I've read this entire forum and many others and the general concensus is to tell the truth about your crime, even though I know people who tick no with a criminal record, on the ESTA and get in every time.
My question is, those people I know who lied and got in, how did they do this? I've heard the ESTA system does an auto criminal check, shouldn't they have been denied instantly? And what of all this talk about being denied at the port of entry? One person has been repeatedly caught with possession and intent to sell marijuan_, the other stole multiple times from stores and committed fraud, stealing $3500 from my bank account, he recently uploaded pics of meet and great with Britney Spears in Vegas and I KNOW he did NOT do the right thing and go to the consulate for the long haul truthful process, he is and always will be a con artist.
I don't understand how the system can and can't catch certain people, the whole thing confuses me.
I was found guilty of theft by deception (took out phone plans for me and my friend, didn't pay the bills, I was employed at this telco company at the time). I just don't see the DHS approving me as it was done 4 times but sentenced once (I was very naive and stupid and trying to "buy" friendships), I was sentenced without conviction in 2012 and did my community hours.
What are the chances of going to the consulate, being honest, showing them my police record (which will show nothing), explaining that I've changed my ways and being approved? I did Europe this year and would love to see the USA.
Should I just write it off as a never to be seen place for me? It all seems so futile