15 year old son traveling alone to USA very worried about immigration

[lynndy38 64]

Hey guys,

I got some wonderful news that my son would be coming over and spending Christmas with my husband and I, he visited for 3 weeks in July/August with my mum and dad too.

His father will provide a letter of consent like he did on the previous visit, he already has his ESTA from that visit too.

Heres what Im worrying about….

I had a few awful times with the immigration officers at RDU airport, Im really worried they give my son a hard time.

Are they able to question a minor without an adult present? Is there anyway I can meet him off the plane and walk him through the immigration process?

He has his return flight booked, and has to be back for school restarting…..would a letter from school help if I can get one?

I am here on a CR1 (arrived 17 months ago) My husband is a Chiropractor with his own office.

Has anyone had a similar experience?

Thanks guy

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

They gave you a hard time because you had a boyfriend/spouse who was a USC. They aren't going to do the same to a kid. Good luck.

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

Get a letter from the school confirming he is a student and when classes resume. He probably won't need it, but it's something to show a tie to home.

[Ortolan 381]

Don't worry about it. As long as he has his ESTA, his flight arrival card filled out, and that letter of consent from his dad for travel, he'll be fine.

If he's old enough to travel by himself then he has to go through the immigration area alone, you can't meet him and go through with him (if he was too young to travel alone, you'd have had to pay the airline for a 'authorized travel companion' from the airline). Just tell him to relax and tell the truth and he'll be just fine, no big deal.

[lynndy38 64]

Thanks guys,

Im concerned because obviously Im living here in the US, so I worry they will think Im trying to bring him here to stay…..that he won't leave.

His dad supports us maintaining our close relationship with lots of trips to see each other…..but his home will always be the UK with his dad ( besides…..he'd NEVER leave and miss the football season or girlfriend…..teen love!!!)

It will be his first trip alone and its going to be a bit of a challenge but he's a bright lad and very grown up, I just really don't want him getting pulled into secondary. Im looking all over the internet on the legal ramifications of a minor being questioned.

I was looking into getting a gate pass at RDU……but doubt that would ever be allowed!

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

He has visited before; I really think you are being over-anxious. Don't scare the kid! He'll be fine

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

Thanks guys,

Im concerned because obviously Im living here in the US, so I worry they will think Im trying to bring him here to stay..that he won't leave.

His dad supports us maintaining our close relationship with lots of trips to see each other..but his home will always be the UK with his dad ( besides..he'd NEVER leave and miss the football season or girlfriend..teen love!!!)

It will be his first trip alone and its going to be a bit of a challenge but he's a bright lad and very grown up, I just really don't want him getting pulled into secondary. Im looking all over the internet on the legal ramifications of a minor being questioned.

I was looking into getting a gate pass at RDUbut doubt that would ever be allowed!

Use this list to get the phone number for the Passenger Service Manager for his POE. Discuss your concerns with the head guy instead of searching the internet. http://www.cbp.gov/contact/ports/passenger-service-mgr

[lynndy38 64]

Thanks so much….Harpa, he came in July with my mum and dad, but they flew in and out of Washington Dulles. You're right though I don't want to scare him so I'll keep telling him it will be fine.

Nich-Nick I will certainly call that number you're a star thank you.

I know I worry Im afraid my mind is always full of what ifs…..I just don't want an immigration officer to be mean to my baby!!!

Wait until I have to file the next part of my CR1…..thats due in January

As usual you have been really helpful on here. Thank you again.

[kehills 217]

Kid visiting a parent legally in the United States, with a return flight and permission from parent with custody to travel? At Christmas?

You're overthinking. :-) It's by far the most common time of year for kids to be traveling alone, thanks to custody agreements.

[B & G 200]

Hey guys,

I got some wonderful news that my son would be coming over and spending Christmas with my husband and I, he visited for 3 weeks in July/August with my mum and dad too.

His father will provide a letter of consent like he did on the previous visit, he already has his ESTA from that visit too.

Heres what Im worrying about….

I had a few awful times with the immigration officers at RDU airport, Im really worried they give my son a hard time.

Are they able to question a minor without an adult present? Is there anyway I can meet him off the plane and walk him through the immigration process?

He has his return flight booked, and has to be back for school restarting…..would a letter from school help if I can get one?

I am here on a CR1 (arrived 17 months ago) My husband is a Chiropractor with his own office.

Has anyone had a similar experience?

Thanks guy

Maybe look into the unaccompanied minor service with the airline. Airline staff will escort your son from the aircraft all the way to you. Point being is that someone will be with him as he is entering. Plus, if you are looking for answers its alot easier to find an airline staff and ask your questions, they will know exactly who your son is, who is escorting him through POE and such.

[Boiler 43,429]

Presumably you will waiting and he has your Mobile number.

[cdneh 3,112]

My son flew from NZ to the East coast of Canada when he was 14, which would be about 25 years ago now. He was going home for Christmas, and he flew as an unnacompanied minor. He wasn't very happy with me at the time, but as it worked out, it was really very useful. He flew NZ to LA, to Toronto, and then to Halifax, then to Charlottetown PEI. He said the hardest and most confusing part was having to change terminals at LA (clean across the airport) and Toronto (International to Domestic). He was glad he had someone to get him from A to B. So he admitted in the end it had been a good idea.

Edited September 2, 2014 by cdneh

[Ketsuban 1,034]

VWP entrants rarely get harassed. I went in to visit my husband in August and had a friendly chat with the immigration officer about my plans to move there visiting family really isn't a big deal.

[sandra68 10]

Hi

My 15 year old flew on his own last may to Detroit, he had a letter of consent with him and the proof of the return ticket, all went fine. While I was anxiously waiting for a message that immigration went ok, he was making selfies while having lunch at Chillies!

no worries!

Sandra

[lynndy38 64]

Thanks for all the reassurance guys, yes I'll be stood right next to the arrival door waiting for him, he'll also have both mine and my husbands mobile number.

One particular officer at RDU always gave me a hard time when I used to visit my husband so I guess Im alot more cautious.

His father has already booked the ticket and has said he didn't think Lew needed the unaccompanied minor extra. He will stay with him at Heathrow until he feels theres enough time for him to get through security and down to the gate etc….

He'll have his letter of consent, his ESTA and I'll talk to him about the flight arrival card he'll have to fill out on the flight.

Oh and his passport……..Jeez best not forget that

I do think this will be good for him, its a great life skill to have and will help build confidence, if I could just get that damn IO out of my mind!!!!!