What's the best thing to say at the Port of Entry….please help

[Drguy 1]

I have a girlfriend from Colombia coming with her son in July to visit me for the summer on a B2. They will be returning home as her son needs to finish his schooling.

The tickets were expensive, so I don't want her to be denied entrance at the POE.

I told her to say she coming to visit family friends and not a tourist as she is here for nearly 2 months. Any thoughts and what she should say or not say?

I keep hearing conflicting things about "it's ok" saying I'm a boyfriend or it's not ok and she shouldn't say anything about it?

Wish I could get a clear answer in what to say or do.

Appreciate any feedback

[nightingalejules 678]

Never lie to POE officers. If they find out she didn't tell the truth she will get banned. However, she should only answer the specific questions she is asked. Also, if she has proof of employment - that she has to go back in September, and proof that her son is enrolled in school in the fall, and/or a continuing lease on an apartment or whatever, she should bring that with her.

But most importantly, don't ever encourage her not to tell the truth. It's a way bigger deal, even, than getting refused at the border.

[wazajg 1]

I am visiting my GF soon in USA. I am going to say im here on holiday and visiting my GF. l have read people saying

"just say you are here to visit a friend." lm not going to do that. The problem with that is, say if the officer say's, "is she a GF?."

He then could say "Why dident you say GF before." Its going to make you look bad. Tell the truth.

[Drguy 1]

In truth, girlfriend and friend are really vague terms…I've dated women who would introduce me as her "friend" not her "boyfriend"

Your not lying if you say your visiting a friend, after all, aren't we all friends with people we date. Being a fiancee is something completely different of course.

I think saying you are visiting your Girlfriend, it may trigger more questions.

[Teddy B 17,252]

In truth, girlfriend and friend are really vague terms…I've dated women who would introduce me as her "friend" not her "boyfriend"

Your not lying if you say your visiting a friend, after all, aren't we all friends with people we date. Being a fiancee is something completely different of course.

I think saying you are visiting your Girlfriend, it may trigger more questions.

A single woman from Colombia traveling with her son will come under enough scrutiny by POE officers just on face value alone. Why make it even more difficult on her by mincing words? If you two are in any way romantically involved, she is considered your girlfriend. Just be truthful.

[RhettVoe 282]

the more she tries to hide the truth, the more apparent it will be to the CBP folks, and they will likely haul her into secondary, ask more questions, compare what she is saying now with what she said when she applied for the visa (yes, CBP can access any notes made by the CO), open her luggage, etc...and when they discover she is trying to be clever, guess what happens next?

[pauli 49]

If she says she's going to visit family friends, then how will she answer if they ask for their names, address, and phone number? And if they call to verify? This could potentially happen if she's taken to secondary. It's never a good idea to lie. If she gets caught her visa could be cancelled and future attempts to come to U.S. could be jeopardized.

[Pitaya 2,577]

What's the best thing to say? The truth.

[Camelot13 63]

My boyfriend visited me for 3 month increments twice and 1 month stay once in the span of a year and a half. He always said he was visiting his girlfriend and they never gave him much of a hard time, but I know it's totally up to the individual and the circumstances of that entry. Just in case he brought a ton of evidence to show he was returning home.

[mrszorak44 7]

NEVER LIE. That's it. I lied - next thing happened was me being on the next flight home and my tourist visa cancelled. The POE Officers can check what she told the consul during her tourist visa interview - if that matches, they will still further check. If she tells POE that she'll visit relatives, they will call relatives and verify.

Just be honest. Nothing wrong in visiting you as her boyfriend / fiancé.

[RhettVoe 282]

how about.......the......truth??????? Wow....what a concept!

[Ketsuban 1,034]

how about.......the......truth??????? Wow....what a concept!

You don't need to be rude. OP is worried his girlfriend will be denied entry for telling the truth, and that is totally normal behaviour. That being said, she mustn't lie. OP, your girlfriend will need to honestly state her intention when she arrives. Whether she is allowed in or not is up to the officer she speaks to, but being caught in a lie can result in a worse result than just being denied entry.

[RhettVoe 282]

which is what I said....yet, for some reason, you did not like the way I said it...which was....direct...don't lie....how is telling it like it is considered 'rude?'...you said the same thing...therefore, you must be rude as well.

[RhettVoe 282]

It is amazing that people 'worry' about telling the truth, yet are unconcerned if they (or their SO) tells a lie...as if telling a lie is justified because telling the truth might not get exactly what they want, so...lie instead...then act outraged when the lie is not believed...sounds like circular logic to me....tell the truth..live with the consequences...decide to lie...live with those consequences as well.

So, perhaps a show of hands might help....how many out there think it's OK to lie (or for your BF or GF to lie) in order to gain admission to the United States?....ok....so...next question...

WHY IS IT OK TO LIE?

[Zergrush 2]

The best thing to say at POE is ... the truth.

I visited twice. And both times answered truthfully when asked, that I was visiting my fiancé. I had no problems getting into the US.

Don't over complicate things. Always go with the honest answer. Good luck.