Baby summoned to US embassy after grandfather ticked box saying youngster was terrorist

A 3-month-old baby was summoned to the US embassy in London for an interview after his grandfather ticked an incorrect box on a visa application. Photo / 123RF

A 3-month-old baby was summoned to the US embassy in London after his grandfather accidentally ticked a box claiming the youngster was a terrorist.

Factory owner Paul Kenyon, 62, had planned to fly his family to Florida for a holiday to his villa in Orlando, but made the mistake on the ESTA form (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) needed for entry into the country.

It meant little Harvey Kenyon-Cairns's application was refused and he was asked to attend a grilling from US officials in London.

Mr Kenyon travelled down with his daughter and Harvey's mother, Faye, from his home in Poynton, Cheshire, to the embassy in Grosvenor Square just three days before their flight, but the Visa failed to arrive in time.

He admitted the whole affair cost him an extra £3000 ($5400) as he had to pay for extra flights so that Faye, 27, her partner John Cairns, 31, and Harvey could still come with them.

In the meantime he flew out with his wife Cathy, 57, and Faye and John's eldest child Ava.

He said: "I had filled in the first five forms all correctly, but it was taking some time.

"I had no idea I had made a mistake on the baby's form until Harvey's travel was refused to the USA.

"I couldn't believe that they couldn't see it was a genuine mistake and that a 3-month-old baby would be no harm to anyone.

"Harvey was even summoned down for an interview to the US Embassy. I really couldn't believe it.

"I went down with him and his mum and took him in for the interview, but he can't even speak as he's so young.

"We went down on the Monday and flew on the Thursday, but sadly the Visa didn't come in time, so half of us went and baby Harvey came a couple of days later with his parents and the whole sorry business cost me an extra £3000."

He added: "It was a very expensive mistake, but I was hoping the US Embassy would realise that it was just a simple error without us having to jump through all the hoops.

"If you are a terrorist -I suspect you'd not be ticking YES on the ESTA form anyway."

The ESTA question that Paul inadvertently ticked Yes on by mistake asks: "Do you seek to engage in or have you ever engaged in terrorist activities, espionage, sabotage, or genocide?"

He went on: "Baby Harvey was good as gold for the interview and never cried once - I thought about taking him along in an orange jumpsuit, but thought better of it.

"They didn't appear to have a sense of humour over it at all and couldn't see the funny side.

"He's obviously never engaged in genocide, or espionage, but he has sabotaged quite a few nappies in his time though I didn't tell them that at the US Embassy."

All eligible international travellers who wish to go to the United States under the Visa Waiver programme must apply for authorisation under the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation.

- Originally published in Telegraph UK