What counts as US soil?

[Kevin- 13]

I'm curious, when I bring Bel over here, what is the actual first step on US soil? The first step on the airport ramp thing? Exiting the immigration section? Stepping outside the airport? Heheheh. I just think it will be fun if I can get pictures of each of those, and more fun to know which one is the official first step.

Also, the Portland POE is a bit odd in this regard. We will get off the plane into the ramp thing, head over to the immigration area, then exit the building and board a bus that then takes us over to the main baggage claim area (which is in the same building as where the bus departs from - go figure.

Will I be allowed to take pictures during the POE procedures? heheh.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

You could dig a hole in your bag yard and ship the soil to Thailand and . . . voila! . . . they have US soil there.

Even the airspace above Portland is US soil. The captain of an airplane could marry a couple while getting ready to land. For immigration purposes, however, the immigrant steps on US soil when having been admitted. Illegals are entering US soil once having crossed the imaginary line dividing the northern and southern part of the Rio Grande.

Edited October 13, 2010 by Just Bob

[Zen Den 18]

I'm curious, when I bring Bel over here, what is the actual first step on US soil? The first step on the airport ramp thing? Exiting the immigration section? Stepping outside the airport? Heheheh. I just think it will be fun if I can get pictures of each of those, and more fun to know which one is the official first step.

Also, the Portland POE is a bit odd in this regard. We will get off the plane into the ramp thing, head over to the immigration area, then exit the building and board a bus that then takes us over to the main baggage claim area (which is in the same building as where the bus departs from - go figure.

Will I be allowed to take pictures during the POE procedures? heheh.

all POEs are pretty much the same so she'll have to get in line at the immigration first (give her yellow envelope to the officer) then get her baggage and if she doesn't get randomly chosen for luggage thorough check, she then goes to her connecting flight. i don't think though that there's a way for you to take pictures at immigration point. but when she collects her luggage you can join her already. good luck and god bless =)

[Kevin- 13]

all POEs are pretty much the same so she'll have to get in line at the immigration first (give her yellow envelope to the officer) then get her baggage and if she doesn't get randomly chosen for luggage thorough check, she then goes to her connecting flight. i don't think though that there's a way for you to take pictures at immigration point. but when she collects her luggage you can join her already. good luck and god bless =)

Well, I will be with her on the flight, so I don't have to wait outside And there's no connecting flight to worry about after the POE. I guess I'll snap pictures as she steps off the plane, and again as she checks through immigration, and at baggage, and probably lots and lots between, before, and after. Maybe I should just take video instead

[Amyyduck 20]

Well, I will be with her on the flight, so I don't have to wait outside And there's no connecting flight to worry about after the POE. I guess I'll snap pictures as she steps off the plane, and again as she checks through immigration, and at baggage, and probably lots and lots between, before, and after. Maybe I should just take video instead

Thats so cute!

[sara..... 371]

i dont know about the pics at that point.......but when we brought my brother in law back from Egypt in aug of this year..(was his first trip to the USA)......immigration was fast they approved him but......took three hours to get someone to give the man the ok to stamp his passport he had to wait on a phone call.....maybe the officer was new or maybe there is a new rule at Portland airport....

sara

Edited October 15, 2010 by sara.....

[cartaverde 12]

Technically US embassies are considered US soil too, so she already was on US soil at the interview.

I'd count the first step 1) out of the airplane, 2) after getting admitted in immigration, and 3) when physically actually walking on bare soil (or road). So 3 kinds of first steps, plus the embassy.

[Kevin- 13]

Doh, didn't get the pictures at the embassy, haha.

Thanks all.

[yohino 22]

As far as I know you are NOT allowed to take pictures in the "immigration line waiting area".

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[sachinky 465]

As far as I know you are NOT allowed to take pictures in the "immigration line waiting area".

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True. One woman answered her cell and the customs agent yelled at her and came running towards her. The poor woman dropped her phone in fright.

[texas-gal 3]

When coming through immigration and customs you're not allowed to take pictures and the Dallas-Ft Worth airport even has signs that you're not allowed to have your cell phone out.