It is normale that the Department of Homeland Security wants to talk to me for wanting to buy property in the US?

[Anonymous]

After years of renting vacation cottages, last month I made up my mind of buying a nice vacation home in Cape Cod, Massachussetts. I found the ideal estate and started all the proper paperwork with the lawyers, realtors, etc. and today I find out that the DHS wants to arrange for me to visit and have a talk with them. The communication also stated the possibility of a tour and lunch at St. Elizabeth.

Honestly I'm concerned if I did something that might have triggered a red flag or it's standard procedure, because my relatives did purchase property on US soil (we even have two small factories) and I never heard them getting this treatment.

My (American) lawyer told me it happens and they just want to fill some dossier and paperwork, and my sister's father-in-law also told me he went through something similar when he bought home in NJ and it was just a formality and shaking hands.

American G@gers, what do you think?

[lightbulb27]

no idea. they have to watch out for the italian mafia, terrorists, russian and chinese spies, and other trouble makers.

if you said you were moving to chicago or detroit they wouldn't care, but cape cod... that is well protected where the well to do live. Ya can't get in there without passing the tests.

you'll be fine, invite us out when you get it.

[NathanDavis]

even I get the same... lol

aren't you supposed to be the president of who knows where region? lol... should be every day for you

[Asker]

I am the mayor of a very small town and provincial secretary, not really that important

[NathanDavis]

everyone who says I am not really that important... gets flagged automatically

I made the same mistake when telling them about something similar, lol...

[NathanDavis]

because it is the claim of every drug LORD... "I am just a farmer... leave me alone" lmao

[Asker]

I undestand.
I think it's more because of my family, we are honest industrials but maybe they are curious about me buying property there.

[NathanDavis]

every drug LORD has a vast network or honest working associates... yes, it is organized crime for a reason... and those are the top of the tree often, do happen to be politicians of all calibers well

[saraupstairs]

Pal, my cousin married an immigrant, and a year later the DHS called them in for an interview. They separated them and interrogated them. They wanted to make sure it was a real marriage. So the genius interviewer asked my cousin what he bought her for Christmas. OMFG.
Our dollars at work.

[saraupstairs]

I'm going to post a question about this. Do you want the link?

[Asker]

What did the Christmas gift have to do with it being a real marriage?

[saraupstairs]

I’ll explain it on my question and send you the link.

[Asker]

Sure

[saraupstairs]

I can't post links so search this

What would you have told him?

[SaoirseS]

It's probably because Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard are two places where former presidents either have property or frequently visit.

[Asker]

I guess that might be one of the reasons.

[OlderAndWiser]

Probably a harmless waste of time.

[Asker]

Do you think it's just a formality?
My (American) lawyer said this will probably be a short interview and some hand shakes.

[OlderAndWiser]

Yes, some low level bureaucrats are just completing their papers.

[Agape93]

It's fine. You're a foreign politician, they wanna see what you're all about and why you're buying it. That's all

[Asker]

Thank you for the info, I'm just the mayor of a 3000 town, didn't think I would warrant such attention. I hope they don't want to give me a security detail too...

[Agape93]

Nah they shouldn't. Anyone that could be an influence peddler or spy they're gonna check out an talk to. My guy and a late friend had to deal with similar issues. Long as you're not an issue they'll eventually just leave you alone

[Asker]

I undestand.
Seem weird they also invited me to lunch and on a tour, though. Might just be a gesture of courtesy/goodwill.

[msc545]

As long as you are white and you have money don't worry.

[Asker]

I was thinking of telling them I recently converted to Islam and see their faces

[msc545]

Probably better not to do that. I doubt any of them have a sense of humor...

[exitseven]

They think that you my be a Republican and they don;t like your kind.

[DryGermanGuy]

Do you have an Italian surname? ;-)

[Asker]

Hyphenated French-Italian surname, why?

[DryGermanGuy]

Well, since that infamous Apalachin meeting the feds are under pressure to keep Italian influence, money, people of a certain subculture out of the United States, capisce?

[Asker]

But we don't come from that part of Italy, we come from Piedmont

[DryGermanGuy]

The average grunt assigned to your case could not even find Italy on a map. They have their stereotypes and that's what they base their work on. I have been told this by colleagues with Italian names who were hassled by the feds for no reason other than their names.

[Asker]

Still seems strange they'd invite me to lunch too

[DryGermanGuy]

I guess from their point-of-view they are keeping their options open. :-)