Family member visiting a K-1 beneficiary in the US

[jeanieCZ 228]

Hi everyone, I'm not sure whether I'm posting in the right forum. 

While still waiting for my K-1 interview, I am aware of the fact that I won't be able to travel for a while after I will have moved to the US. So it would be nice if my mother could visit me there. And of course, I would like her to see what my new life looks like!

Does anybody have experience with helping a non-Englishspeaking family member to come visit in the US? (Just to make things clear: I am NOT planning to have my mother come live in the US, only to visit.) My mother is 60+, speaks no English and while eligible for ESTA, she's not much of a globetrotter... Of course I am aware of the option that I could fly with her, but that would make the trip more expensive... And wouldn't that give the CBP the impression I'm trying to bring her in and have her overstay or stay illegally?

How does someone who doesn't speak any English pass the interview with a CBP? 

 

Any insight and particularly experience would be appreciated

[Dashinka 23,208]

People that do not speak English go through CBP checkpoints all the time.  Depending on the language, CBP may be able to handle it themselves, or in some cases, they may seek help.  What I do not fully understand is when in the process you want your mother to come for the visit.  Is it after you yourself come over and are awaiting your AOS?  If so, personally, I would wait until you have your own travel documents as someone who doesn't travel much and does not speak the language of the country they are traveling to could certainly use some assistance especially if she has to navigate a connecting airport.  Since you cannot legally petition for your mother to adjust status in the US until after you become a US citizen, I don't think you traveling with her would be a huge issue.

 

Good Luck!

[jeanieCZ 228]

@Bill & Katya Well, I'm not planning to ever petition for my mother  

 

I don't have any plans as to when I'd like her to visit. I understand your point about traveling together but then again, I'd have to pay double travel costs 😬 

 

How does a CBP handle a person who don't speak English? My mother only speaks Czech. 

[Dashinka 23,208]

54 minutes ago, jeaniecz said:

@Bill & Katya Well, I'm not planning to ever petition for my mother  

 

I don't have any plans as to when I'd like her to visit. I understand your point about traveling together but then again, I'd have to pay double travel costs 😬 

 

How does a CBP handle a person who don't speak English? My mother only speaks Czech. 

I can only tell you what I witnessed.  While waiting at international arrivals in Detroit for a flight from China, I saw CBP officers come out to the waiting hall multiple times to ask for a family member,  My assumption is that they were asking for communication assistance and most likely the person arriving was moved to secondary inspection.  So if your mother's POE will be her destination airport, you might want to contact the CBP office at that airport and ask them how they would handle a person arriving that only speaks Czech.  Maybe they have a few officers there that speak it, who knows.

[Ontarkie 13,904]

~~MOved to Tourist Visas, from Moving Here and YOur New Life- THe OP is asking about a parent  visiting~~

 

 

Mod hat off

 

I've seen members mention writing a letter with all your information down for your mother. 

Name

phone #

Address

how long they would be staying

 

All I can remember atm. 

[jeanieCZ 228]

thanks for your help!

[ElDiablo 95]

What interview? You said she is eligible to fly under the VWP so she should apply for an ESTA. No interview.

[SusieQQQ 11,584]

14 hours ago, jeaniecz said:

@Bill & Katya Well, I'm not planning to ever petition for my mother  

 

I don't have any plans as to when I'd like her to visit. I understand your point about traveling together but then again, I'd have to pay double travel costs 😬 

 

How does a CBP handle a person who don't speak English? My mother only speaks Czech. 

How does she plan to fill in the answers at the entry kiosk? Do they have Czech as a language option?