Boarded a flight and flew to the US with no visa, is the airline liable? [duplicate]

I have a Canadian Student Visa. I did not know that I am supposed to get a C-1 visa for a stopover in LAX for 2 hours. I did not need to change airport so I thought that a visa was not required. I booked with Japan Airline with a connection at LAX to Canada. However, I was detained in LA and the officer told me that I would be deported back to the Philippines where I came from. Luckily, I explained to them my situation and they made me just pay a visa waiver fee of $585. They also told me that Japan Airlines (the airline that I took) would be penalized for allowing me to board the plane without checking if I had a transit visa.

My question is: is Japan Airline liable for allowing me to board their plane without checking?

Best Answer

JAL is liable to the USA, but not to you. There is no chance that JAL will refund the amount you paid and they might even attempt to get back the money they paid as fine to USCBP.

For the USA, there is no sterile airside transit like in many other countries. Every person transiting has to clear the passport control and customs before catching their onward flights. This probably has something to do with the US policy of not having exit immigration controls.

Regarding penalty, yes. You should have been denied boarding by JAL. Due to their mistake, you are allowed on board. Like every country, the airline will be penalized for allowing you on board. You are just lucky that they didn't deport you, as is generally the case.

There might be consequences for your future flight with JAL.

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Can you fly within the US without a visa?

Domestic Flights. All travelers flying on a domestic flight must present a valid (unexpired) photo ID issued by the state or federal government. Undocumented individuals may use the following forms of ID accepted by TSA: State photo identity card.

Why an airline might deny boarding to US visa holder?

If you are traveling on a tourist visa, the airline might stop you from boarding based on its suspicion that CBP will deny you entry because you don't intend to return to your home country or you intend to work in the United States.

What is denied boarding compensation?

This is called \u201cdenied boarding compensation\u201d or \u201cDBC\u201d for short. Most bumped passengers who experience short delays on flights will receive compensation equal to double the one-way price of the flight they were bumped from, but airlines may limit this amount to up to $775.

What is the passenger bill of rights?

The new law, called the Airline Passengers' Bill of Rights, increases passenger compensation, restricts high airline fees, and requires the refund of baggage fees for lost or delayed baggage, among many other provisions.

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