DCF'er traveling to States with non USC and baby...advice?

[jaremedios 1]

Ok, I asked in another forum, but I think you fellow DCF'ers will have better input, and there has got to be somebody who's been in my situation.

I am USC. Hubby is Mexican. We live in Mexico and are doing DCF. We have a daughter together but she has her CRBA.

I am literally just starting to file the I-130 petition with the Mexican Embassy. We're leaving in 2 weeks for a vacation to the States to visit my parents and to baptise our daughter there. We're all going together. Hubby has had his tourist visa for 3 years now, and this is his 3rd time to the States. However, this is our first time entering US on the same date, married, and with child. He has always gone separately and lined up in visitor's line. This time, we're not sure what to do, especially now with the baby.

I've been told that him entering with me will cause suspicion and it is possible that he can stay and do an AOS. That is not our intention as we are doing DCF but how can I prove that or get agent to trust me? Should we not enter as a family? If so, and I'm traveling alone with baby, I'm under the impression that I need a permission from her father. But won't that cause even more suspicion if father is on another line?

aggghhhh! Totally stressed out!

[canadian_wife 1,823]

Since you both live in Mexico, I suspect you have strong ties to Mexico correct? Like a job or a mortgage/lease?

I suggest you travel together and bring strong STRONG ties that you both indend on returning to Mexico. But yes, you are right. It will be awfully tricky having your husband travel with his USC wife and baby to the US. The stronger ties you have the better.

Good luck.

[jaremedios 1]

Since you both live in Mexico, I suspect you have strong ties to Mexico correct? Like a job or a mortgage/lease?

I suggest you travel together and bring strong STRONG ties that you both indend on returning to Mexico. But yes, you are right. It will be awfully tricky having your husband travel with his USC wife and baby to the US. The stronger ties you have the better.

Good luck.

Thanks for the tip. I am currently a stay-at-home mom so I personally don't have ties. He owns his own business and has his papers from there. We also have a lease until Feb. 2011. Anything else you can think of? Oh man, it sucks hearing that others think my situation is tricky too even though I know it's the honest truth.

[txladykat 1]

While having ties to the country are always good, I can only speak from personal experience. We entered the US twice while ours was pending, and they never even asked! We entered together through the visitor line. The only thing they asked is how long he would be here, and that was it.

[jaremedios 1]

While having ties to the country are always good, I can only speak from personal experience. We entered the US twice while ours was pending, and they never even asked! We entered together through the visitor line. The only thing they asked is how long he would be here, and that was it.

Yeahhh! Now that's the positive story I needed to hear. Thanks! I hope I have the same experience.

[crosi 0]

I am currently visiting the US with my hubby (US citizen.)

I was taken to the secondary questioning room at the Philadelphia airport. They thought I came here to live permanently without obtaining the visa. Just to talk to an officer, it took 70 minutes. I had some documents with me which were sent from US Embassy in Paris about my IR1 filing, I showed other documents I prepared for the upcoming Embassy interview, and I explained the situation. Took another 10 minutes until I was called. Then I received my passport, no problem. There was nothing to hide but boy! I was very nervous!!!

Luckily we had total of 2 hrs layover time to catch a connecting flight, but people were anxious to get out to catch their flight.

I strongly recommend to take any documents you can think of to prove that your hubby IS returning to Mexico. I've lived in the US total of 12 years with different visas, I've never taken to the secondary room before.

Good luck

[Adichiwa 0]

I'm EXACTLY in the same boat and sweating bullets! but this is what I can share from my extensive research just this morning....

I'm living in Canada and waiting for my packet from Montreal (filled through DCF) to come through. My husband is a US citizen with a job contract already lined up for June. Whilst he'll be going back to the US in June, I'm scared that I won't be allowed to visit him until my visa is complete (8 mths or so who really knows). We're obviously going through all the legal steps, but it's crazy to think that my future lies with whatever good or bad day the officer is having.

This morning I spoke to the supervisor at the Pearson International Airport US Customs & Border Protection Agency who assured me that as long as I show intention of returning to Canada (i.e. flight, etc.) with strong ties I should be "just fine". I TOO am a homemaker (no kids yet) with no ties to employment, so I'm concerned that proving ties may be difficult. Having said that... not everyone has a job.

An immigration lawyer also confirmed that it's really up to the officer at the gate to determine my admitance.

At this point, I am keeping my fingers crossed and will take the plunge when the time comes.

Anyone else living away from their spouse ??????

[jaremedios 1]

I'm EXACTLY in the same boat and sweating bullets! but this is what I can share from my extensive research just this morning....

I'm living in Canada and waiting for my packet from Montreal (filled through DCF) to come through. My husband is a US citizen with a job contract already lined up for June. Whilst he'll be going back to the US in June, I'm scared that I won't be allowed to visit him until my visa is complete (8 mths or so who really knows). We're obviously going through all the legal steps, but it's crazy to think that my future lies with whatever good or bad day the officer is having.

This morning I spoke to the supervisor at the Pearson International Airport US Customs & Border Protection Agency who assured me that as long as I show intention of returning to Canada (i.e. flight, etc.) with strong ties I should be "just fine". I TOO am a homemaker (no kids yet) with no ties to employment, so I'm concerned that proving ties may be difficult. Having said that... not everyone has a job.

An immigration lawyer also confirmed that it's really up to the officer at the gate to determine my admitance.

At this point, I am keeping my fingers crossed and will take the plunge when the time comes.

Anyone else living away from their spouse ??????

Well, I'm the USC and my Mexican husband will be traveling with us(me and my USC baby) TOMORROW. I'm taking a lease, my marriage cert, his papers from his business, and registration for a fest that we're attending, plus return ticket. I'll let you know what happens.

[jaremedios 1]

My hubby, daughter and I all went in the visitors line at Houston. We got this officer who was in a great mood...singing and everything. He was so nice and asked my husband jokingly, When are you going to get your LPR? He stamped everything, took fingerprints, etc and told us to have a great day. No need to show any ties!

[Marisol73 0]

My hubby, daughter and I all went in the visitors line at Houston. We got this officer who was in a great mood...singing and everything. He was so nice and asked my husband jokingly, When are you going to get your LPR? He stamped everything, took fingerprints, etc and told us to have a great day. No need to show any ties!

WOW ! congratulations !! That sounds easy..but I know all the worries you had. Thank God all went fine.

[txladykat 1]

Another note, although we didn't need it, we brought a copy of our completed application that was submitted along with receipt of the payment showing we had indeed file our application - with the intent of saying "look, we are going the legal route..." but again, it was not needed. We entered once in NY and once in Houston, both were smooth sailing, very friendly officers.

[Adichiwa 0]

Gee, that almost sounds too easy. The thing is... my husband will be moving back to the US in June to start a job. I will obviously wait until I get my visa to permanently move there. He will be DRIVING down in June and I will go with him. I will obviously bring a return flight to show that I'm coming back to Canada and any ties that I have here.

Has anyone had any experience crossing the border by car?

[txladykat 1]

Crossing by car may be a bit harder. With an airline ticket, at least you can show a return flight, which is important as they did ask how long he would be in the US.

[Adichiwa 0]

Crossing by car may be a bit harder. With an airline ticket, at least you can show a return flight, which is important as they did ask how long he would be in the US.

Thanks for your feedback. HE will be staying there permanently but I will already purchase a return flight and will need to show that at the border.

Does anyone know what's the maximum length of time that I would be able to stay with my husband in the US before I'm forced to return to the mother land?

[Harley10 0]

Ok, I asked in another forum, but I think you fellow DCF'ers will have better input, and there has got to be somebody who's been in my situation.

I am USC. Hubby is Mexican. We live in Mexico and are doing DCF. We have a daughter together but she has her CRBA.

I am literally just starting to file the I-130 petition with the Mexican Embassy. We're leaving in 2 weeks for a vacation to the States to visit my parents and to baptise our daughter there. We're all going together. Hubby has had his tourist visa for 3 years now, and this is his 3rd time to the States. However, this is our first time entering US on the same date, married, and with child. He has always gone separately and lined up in visitor's line. This time, we're not sure what to do, especially now with the baby.

I've been told that him entering with me will cause suspicion and it is possible that he can stay and do an AOS. That is not our intention as we are doing DCF but how can I prove that or get agent to trust me? Should we not enter as a family? If so, and I'm traveling alone with baby, I'm under the impression that I need a permission from her father. But won't that cause even more suspicion if father is on another line?

aggghhhh! Totally stressed out!

I'd just like to say that when I travelled to the states with my then 4 month old son and my USC husband in 2008 I didnt give immigration another thought cos I wasn't intending to emigrate to the states at all, we were only going for a couple of weeks so our son could meet his grandparents. We entered in Newark, flew to Houston and then finally landed in Seattle.

Infact I would have been really suprised and mystified as to why I was being asked about ties to Ireland etc.

Maybe going through this whole process of obtaining an immigrant visa and reading about other folks applying for visas,and theres so much info on here about every aspect of immigration has made people paranoid, unless theres something I'm not understanding here?

I'm not saying you are paranoid Jaremedios, ofcourse I'm not and apologies if it comes across like that. I'm just trying to get my head around why anyone would be randomly questioned when innocently going on holiday .

Edited March 10, 2010 by Harley10