Getting ready to cross the border

[sashitaski 3]

Finally, the wait is almost over! My husband will be immigrating next Sunday!

Anyway, he doesn't speak much English, so I'm trying to prepare him for possible questions they might ask, but it looks like there aren't many, if any at all. At least, that's what it looks like from reading JFK POE reviews. The only thing he has to worry about is that his visa says it is CR/1, but actually he should get an IR/1/permanent greencard, because our second anniversary recently passed. I will make sure he makes a point of reminding the officer of that fact. Other than that, anything else I should do to prep him?

Thanks!

[mox 298]

There's really nothing to prepare him for. Unless he's on a terrorist watch list, they're going to ask him a few rote questions about the visa he's traveling on, and let him through. If he got through the interview in Moscow, he's golden.

[SuperDuper! 230]

Finally, the wait is almost over! My husband will be immigrating next Sunday!

Anyway, he doesn't speak much English, so I'm trying to prepare him for possible questions they might ask, but it looks like there aren't many, if any at all. At least, that's what it looks like from reading JFK POE reviews. The only thing he has to worry about is that his visa says it is CR/1, but actually he should get an IR/1/permanent greencard, because our second anniversary recently passed. I will make sure he makes a point of reminding the officer of that fact. Other than that, anything else I should do to prep him?

Thanks!

Besides having fresh breath, It's important that he answer the officer's questions simple and direct, with eye contact, and volunteer no further info. Oh, and a "thank you, and have a nice day" is socially appropriate.

[mox 298]

Besides having fresh breath, It's important that he answer the officer's questions simple and direct, with eye contact, and volunteer no further info. Oh, and a "thank you, and have a nice day" is socially appropriate.

Even all that's unnecessary. These people realize you've probably been on an airplane for the better part of the last 24 hours, that you're tired, probably a little confused, and you're just not going to be at the top of your mental game, especially if your command of the English language isn't that good. Don't try to be too slick. The surest way of looking suspicious is to go out of your way to look natural. He just needs to hand the agent his passport, answer any and all questions to the best of his ability (agree with not volunteering anything, but always remember that he has nothing to hide), and move along.

POE is an area where so much needless worrying happens. By the time you make it to POE, you've been vetted by DHS and the State Department. You've had a medical, a background check, and been subjected to all the ####### that comes with a marriage visa. These guys know this, so the only way they're going to mess with you is if you're acting in an obviously suspicious manner, if the "don't open" envelope is open, or if something doesn't obviously jive. They won't detain you if your breath stinks to high heaven--maybe it'll even get you moving through faster.

Edited August 3, 2009 by mox

[sashitaski 3]

they're going to ask him a few rote questions about the visa he's traveling on

What types of questions might these be? Just, "What is the purpose of your visit?" and "What type of visa do you have?" ? Anything else?

Thanks guys, I appreciate your help. And yes, I do realize that there's really nothing to worry about. For his self-confidence though, I'd like to give him a short list of possible questions, if anyone remembers what they are.

[mox 298]

they're going to ask him a few rote questions about the visa he's traveling on

What types of questions might these be? Just, "What is the purpose of your visit?" and "What type of visa do you have?" ? Anything else?

Thanks guys, I appreciate your help. And yes, I do realize that there's really nothing to worry about. For his self-confidence though, I'd like to give him a short list of possible questions, if anyone remembers what they are.

Yeah, they're going to ask something like the purpose of his visit, and does he understand the terms of his visa. They probably won't ask him what kind of visa he's traveling on since it'll be right there in his passport, but they will ask if he understands the requirements of the visa. For example, if he were traveling on a k1 they would ask if he understands that he needs to be married within 90 days. I'm not familiar with the IR1, so just make sure he understands the limitations of his visa.

You might want to take a look at POE reviews too. I'm a little hesitant to point you there since most people will only post a POE review if it's been a bad or at least eventful experience, but maybe it'll give you an idea of any questions that might pop up. But mostly just tell him to relax.

[SuperDuper! 230]

Besides having fresh breath, It's important that he answer the officer's questions simple and direct, with eye contact, and volunteer no further info. Oh, and a "thank you, and have a nice day" is socially appropriate.

Even all that's unnecessary. These people realize you've probably been on an airplane for the better part of the last 24 hours, that you're tired, probably a little confused, and you're just not going to be at the top of your mental game, especially if your command of the English language isn't that good. Don't try to be too slick. The surest way of looking suspicious is to go out of your way to look natural. He just needs to hand the agent his passport, answer any and all questions to the best of his ability (agree with not volunteering anything, but always remember that he has nothing to hide), and move along.

POE is an area where so much needless worrying happens. By the time you make it to POE, you've been vetted by DHS and the State Department. You've had a medical, a background check, and been subjected to all the ####### that comes with a marriage visa. These guys know this, so the only way they're going to mess with you is if you're acting in an obviously suspicious manner, if the "don't open" envelope is open, or if something doesn't obviously jive. They won't detain you if your breath stinks to high heaven--maybe it'll even get you moving through faster.

It is NEVER unnecessary to have proper social skills, particularly when going thru a POE on an immigration visa.

Just realize that when you read the fine print, and all the good news is there, as we know, that your visa only gives you the privilege to come and say hello to the POE officer you walk up to and get his approval to let you in the USA. He can single-handedly deny you entry into the US, after all your approvals and waiting and hoop jumping, and send you home packing!

It's complete balderdash to say that you don't need to be careful in how you interact with this POE official who has all authority over your life and all that you have worked for at this point.

Why would you want to engage in freestyle conversation with him, or otherwise shoot the breeze? You simply answer his questions directly and succinctly and with the respect due. No flippant answers or sarcasm. They really don't have a sense of humor.

So be on your best and most aware behavior. You don;t know what up-to-the-minute risk assessments they are doing. THey may have gotten a tip on a suspect passenger that matches your description. Every question they ask is important.

So forget the Lazy Larry's here that will tell you just to go thru the POE interview with a casual attitude. You can let your hair down, have a single-malt scotch and laugh about it later, that you got thru this final immigration hoop. Congratz, and welcome to the USA.

[mox 298]

http://www.ecto-web.org/~spookcentral/gb1_audio12.mp3

[sashitaski 3]

Thanks, guys, for your help!

[johnj 0]

At JFK POE, they will direct citizens and green card holders to one line and others to a different line. He needs to be in correct line or will be subject to longer wait. It is also possible he will be subject to the "butt sniff" as they occasionally bring the dogs to search for contraband; don't bring any food-that is contraband and the dog will find it-he will be delayed

Edited August 4, 2009 by johnj

[SuperDuper! 230]

At JFK POE, they will direct citizens and green card holders to one line and others to a different line. He needs to be in correct line or will be subject to longer wait. It is also possible he will be subject to the "butt sniff" as they occasionally bring the dogs to search for contraband; don't bring any food-that is contraband and the dog will find it-he will be delayed

Good points, ol' boy! Plus, if he holds the prized brown envelope in view when getting in line,and not just keeping it inside his bag, there is a chance an official will see it and invite him to move up, or direct him to the correct line. Wow, so no Big Macs kept in the carry on, or Fido will think it is snack time. No eating on duty for the Butt Sniff Patrol!

Edited August 4, 2009 by itzallgood

[johnj 0]

At JFK POE, they will direct citizens and green card holders to one line and others to a different line. He needs to be in correct line or will be subject to longer wait. It is also possible he will be subject to the "butt sniff" as they occasionally bring the dogs to search for contraband; don't bring any food-that is contraband and the dog will find it-he will be delayed

Good points, ol' boy! Plus, if he holds the prized brown envelope in view when getting in line,and not just keeping it inside his bag, there is a chance an official will see it and invite him to move up, or direct him to the correct line. Wow, so no Big Macs kept in the carry on, or Fido will think it is snack time. No eating on duty for the Butt Sniff Patrol!

Indeed, it is very common for Russians to carry on their own food items or save part of their served food from the plane.

[Brad and Vika 129]

At JFK POE, they will direct citizens and green card holders to one line and others to a different line. He needs to be in correct line or will be subject to longer wait. It is also possible he will be subject to the "butt sniff" as they occasionally bring the dogs to search for contraband; don't bring any food-that is contraband and the dog will find it-he will be delayed

Good points, ol' boy! Plus, if he holds the prized brown envelope in view when getting in line,and not just keeping it inside his bag, there is a chance an official will see it and invite him to move up, or direct him to the correct line. Wow, so no Big Macs kept in the carry on, or Fido will think it is snack time. No eating on duty for the Butt Sniff Patrol!

Indeed, it is very common for Russians to carry on their own food items or save part of their served food from the plane.

I don't think I have ever seen a long delay caused by the dog patrol finding food. In dozens of customs adventures, the usual scenario is that the dog finds the food, alerts, the CO takes the food, and the passenger proceeds on his/her way. Three minutes tops.

[m&k 0]

We had a pleasant experience at JFK. The officer was extremely nice and I chatted with him. He told me a little about the job he does, some stuff that "you'd be suprised" happens, and we joked around while he looked for documents inside the envelope. Great first impression: ) Then he directed us to a room. Some officers were sitting behind a desk, occasionally they looked at us, and after about 3 minutes they called her name, gave her her passport and away we went. Easy, pleasant (although the room was a little intimidating). Customs just collected our cards and we passed through. Yeah, don't bring any fresh food, I've seen people have problems with that on other flights.

[johnj 0]

We had a pleasant experience at JFK. The officer was extremely nice and I chatted with him. He told me a little about the job he does, some stuff that "you'd be suprised" happens, and we joked around while he looked for documents inside the envelope. Great first impression: ) Then he directed us to a room. Some officers were sitting behind a desk, occasionally they looked at us, and after about 3 minutes they called her name, gave her her passport and away we went. Easy, pleasant (although the room was a little intimidating). Customs just collected our cards and we passed through. Yeah, don't bring any fresh food, I've seen people have problems with that on other flights.

M&K, congrads on your visa and enjoy your time together!