POE Questions!

[Lara826 2]

Hello!

So it´s finally almost here; our K1 Visa has been approved and his flight is on Tuesday! I have a few questions about the POE. Just to give some background info: He is a Moroccan citizen, and Spanish resident who got his visa from the consulate in Madrid. He will be travelling Madrid to Philadelphia to Cincinnati (POE Philly).

First question: He speaks English but it is not perfect and he has a heavy accent. And he will be very nervous. Would he have the option of having someone speak to him in another language if the situation gets to that point?

Next, when he applied for and was given the visa I was working at my old job. I started a new job in November. All of he info he has in his visa packet regarding my employment if from my old job. Do you think this will be an issue when they are asking him questions as he is passing through immigration? It is too late to mail it but would it be helpful to email him a scanned letter from my employer for him to take with him? Any other tips on how to handle this situation? I have also moved since then, and my old address will be on there.

Also, do you think it would be wise for me to contact the airport or immigration to let them know of the situation in advance? I tried to look for contact info but am struggling...

If there are issues with him, will they call me or let him call me?

Lastly can anyone who has been through this point already let me know some questions or what to expect? Especially someone who has gone through Philly.

I know this is a long post. Any help or advice will be greatly appreciated!

[UK-USA-K1 128]

I can't really help you out too much, but there is a place where people review POE locations here on the site. Here's the link POE Philadelphia

Hope that helps somewhat

[Sveta & Ron 23]

as far as contacting cbp to ask questions at poe go http://cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/contacts/ports/pa/1101.xml

[Linds&Youssef 56]

My SO came in through ATL and every POE is different. But I can tell you that they called me to ask me if I was expecting anyone from another country, what our relationship was, and a couple other questions. They probably won't ask about your work status. Everyone I've talked to has said that the POE was a couple of quick questions: who are you coming to see? (maybe also how'd you meet/how long you've been together?) where you're going to live/work? and welcome to America. Hope this helps!

[Shoot Em Straight 385]

NOT. Our POE was over 3 hours plus. In the end we were lucky enough to have the last flight out of Atlanta to LAX.

We went through the first counter with questions of how we met, what is my home phone number, spell your wife's name etc...

Then we got our bags which were tired of spinning and set aside by some kind stranger.

We showed our passports to the next officer and he redirected us to the left which ended up being secondary.

It was a lot of waiting then she asked me to come up to her search area

(I am shortening this for the sake of brevity but there was a friendly interrogation)

After thoroughly going through one bag with me standing by answering all her questions, he was next.

He too was told to stand a number of feet away, not to touch anything and keep his hands out of his pockets.

I could see the officer leaning in after her questions trying to understand or hear him.

Next thing I knew he was pulling that same bag and walking away from me to a 3rd area.

This one was separated by all walls of glass.

My heart sank. Where were they taking him? UUUUUUUgh. Would I get to say bye before he flies back????

About two hours into this he was taken into a private room with another officer. After a while she left the room and came back with another man in a suit. He looked South African? Somalian? He ended up being a translator, spoke French with my husband to finish up the session. He was asked to sign papers indicating he was treating fairly and with respect ....and we went back out to the second officer that originally sent us in. He said we had the wrong papers and walked with us to get the correct one he needed to collect.

They have their reasons to stop, inspect, suspect, question etc. Maybe it was my choice of being comfortable in wearing a jalaba? Or his black leather jacket? Who knows. Maybe it was a slow night cuz of Thanksgiving

I seen it in the others while I sat there. One man had loads of cartons of cigarettes that he was attempting to bring in (w/o paying tax?) Another South American who was intoxicated was proudly transporting homemade Chorizo. Another two that were laughing at the sausage maker had large amounts of Tequila in there bags and also were intoxicated. There was an older Indian woman with fruit in her handbag and a Russian Lady that was questioned about why she is coming to the U.S. She was feminine in her tight sweater and high heels and created a stir among the male officers.

But we will never

really know the reasons we were put through all this extra checking. It was a quick glance that the second officer made and decided to send us to the left instead of "your good and welcome to America" go straight on.

About your new work and address...I would just make sure your SO is well informed of the info if they ask.

IF he wants a translator I believe he has a right to have one, but he speaks English I am sure he can get through it on his own. Dont forget to make sure he knows your phone number in case they do need to speak with you.

My husband too is shy, reserved and was very tired/hungry by the time of POE so that did not help him. But his English is sufficient. Maybe he was too nervous. Again we can never truly know what alerts the officers to question some and let other glide through.

I hope it goes smoothly for him and congratulations on the approval.