Chinese national worried about entry into USA

[marcalan 2]

Hi,  My wife's sister, 64 years old, has her 10 year B2 tourist visa. She's reading all the horror stories from others that probably read them from someone else and before you know it you try to enter USA they'll throw you in a small black room and interagate you and then send you back to China!! I know chances of this are miniscule and only if you're caught telling lies or some other thing you're not supposed to be doing. 

 

All that said, any words of support for how easy it actually is to visit family here and going through customs (Los Angeles) would be greatly appreciated. My wife wants to arrange for us to accompany her through customs just because she doesn't speak any English. My thinking is that it happens hundreds if not thousands of times each day where people dont speak English.

Are there things she should carry with her like invitation letter, itinerary etc. 

Thanks sorry for the long post. Have a great day!!

[Vickys_Mom 267]

Itinerary.  Copy of her return ticket.  Information on where she will be staying.  Who could be contacted if there was some sort of emergency (e.g. your information). 

 

When was she here last and for how long?  (They have this information on their computer screen...they want to make sure she knows it too.)

 

Invitation letters are not needed for B2 visas.  She already qualified to come here.  B2 visas are based on her status...not who she's visiting.

 

If you've filed any sort of immigration visa paperwork for her, she should expect additional scrutiny.  You should also consider how often she's visiting and how long she's staying.  If it looks like she's spending most of her time in the U.S. then she's not a visitor.  She'll get additional questions about that.

 

I'm assuming her English speech and comprehension is good.  My mother-in-law's English is poor so my wife would travel to Jakarta and escort her back.  I realize most people don't have the money or initiative to do that.

 

They won't send her back unless she gives them a good reason.  It sounds like she's fine.

 

Regards,
Vicky's Mom

 

[marcalan 2]

Thanks for the reply!!

She's never been to America.  B2 expires in 2027. She was going to come over prior to this but covid.

Her English is non existent. So if they ask her any questions she'll be lost. They will allow my wife to accompany her through customs by what we understand. We may do that.

Will they need an itinerary of where we will visit? She'll stay with us at our home unless we're playing tourist.

Thanks again!!

[Crazy Cat 44,604]

No one can guarantee she won't be sent to secondary inspection or that she won't be questioned.  Major airports have people who speak Mandarin. Good luck.  I hope she has an event free entry. 

[JeanneAdil 7,098]

Airports are pretty good at knowing what countries the planes are coming from

chicago

i flew in from paris -my layover- and was asked if i needed to speak in French 

many Chinese also there and they had interpreters

coming from China to our west coast i am sure you'll find she can interview at POE in her language if needed

 

and help her relax -the horror stories are fed by media for the impact of scaring people 

when is the last time any reporters were seen to actual witness what they write

if its not a sports figure or entertainer coming in to the country ,  the media is not around

 

there is no little black  rooms are airports ./  all personal interviews are done in rooms  painted quite light colors as they are interior rooms with no windows 

Edited July 25 by JeanneAdil

[PGA 333]

My number 1 recommendation: DO NOT BRING FOOD IN. This draws extra scrutiny; a lot of people like to bring food in from their home countries and though some items are allowed, it's really not worth the risk. If bringing food is a must make sure it complies with the rules, have a list of food items ready, and be sure to answer YES when they ask if you are travelling with any food items.   

[marcalan 2]

Thanks for all the info and replies. 

 

Doesn't matter now as propaganda and social media spooked her and she cancelled her once in a lifetime trip. Sad. I was excited to have her see America and realize it isn't the hell hole some make it out to be.

 

But ya know what? If not for all the misinformation and negativity on social media she never would've been concerned. Now she'll be one of those that spreads the fear instead of being able to remember and tell of all the good positive memories.

 

Thanks again!!

Edited July 25 by marcalan

[Dashinka 25,898]

6 minutes ago, marcalan said:

Thanks for all the info and replies. 

 

Doesn't matter now as propaganda and social media spooked her and she cancelled her once in a lifetime trip. Sad. I was excited to have her see America and realize it isn't the hell hole some make it out to be.

 

But ya know what? If not for all the misinformation and negativity on social media she never would've been concerned. Now she'll be one of those that spreads the fear instead of being able to remember and tell of all the good positive memories.

 

Thanks again!!

Too bad she fell prey to the propaganda.  Maybe things will calm down in the next year or so.

 

Good Luck!

[Crazy Cat 44,604]

27 minutes ago, marcalan said:

Thanks for all the info and replies. 

 

Doesn't matter now as propaganda and social media spooked her and she cancelled her once in a lifetime trip. Sad. I was excited to have her see America and realize it isn't the hell hole some make it out to be.

 

But ya know what? If not for all the misinformation and negativity on social media she never would've been concerned. Now she'll be one of those that spreads the fear instead of being able to remember and tell of all the good positive memories.

 

Thanks again!!

I'm sorry to hear that she cancelled.  It's too bad that people focus on outlier cases rather than the millions of visitors who enter the US every year.

[Boiler 47,526]

This was many many years ago, an English Lady, turned up at the Airport in Seattle with all her worldly possessions for a short holiday, refused admissions. She was most unhappy. Anyway there was some too and from as to what her pns were andif that was how the discussion at to PoE went well....

 

I thought her big mistake was bringing her cat.

[TBoneTX 47,547]

If mom-in-law changes her mind, she can always befriend someone on the plane who can act as her supporter and informal advisor.  Keep that in mind for next time, which I hope happens.