Galper

The Border Agency officials called Galper's friend in London, who mentioned that he was due at the charity poetry event that evening.

Overseas artists boycott Britain in protest at visa clampdown 2011

Galper also received an invitation from a London-based theatre company, the Gruntlers Arts Group, to appear for no fee at a fundraising gala night.

Overseas artists boycott Britain in protest at visa clampdown 2011

"I knew all these people had been waiting for me in London," said Galper.

Overseas artists boycott Britain in protest at visa clampdown 2011

However, when Galper flew back to Luton from Germany, he was questioned by border officials who were suspicious that he could not show them an onward ticket for travel.

Overseas artists boycott Britain in protest at visa clampdown 2011

But they put me in the deportation room, said Galper this weekend from New York.

Overseas artists boycott Britain in protest at visa clampdown 2011

Galper had, he said, made a booking for a return flight over the internet, but had no paper documentation.

Overseas artists boycott Britain in protest at visa clampdown 2011

Goldberg and Galper are partners at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, specializing in crisis management and public strategies.

Where Huawei Went Wrong in America Adam W. Goldberg 2011

They told us that their heavy-handed treatment of visiting artists was a thing of the past, but that message has clearly not filtered through to the airport officials who treated Alex Galper so appallingly.

Overseas artists boycott Britain in protest at visa clampdown 2011

After making a phone call to the event organiser, David Parry, Galper was held in a cell overnight before being deported back to Germany the next day.

Overseas artists boycott Britain in protest at visa clampdown 2011

As a result, it was ruled that Galper had been deliberately deceptive and had intended to work in Britain.

Overseas artists boycott Britain in protest at visa clampdown 2011