Pryme57

UPDATE: Mother drove to the border today (she did not notify anyone at the consulate of plan to travel) with my sister.  She'll be flying next week, but wanted to try this out to identify if there were any issues with her paperwork so we could address before her flight from Toronto.
 
Once at the border, the CBP agent in the booth asked for the packet, and my sister stated they didn't get a separate packet, just the passport.  They were told to go inside and deal with them at the desk.
 
Once inside, the CBP agents asked for the sealed packet, where they explained that they didn't receive a packet.  Mother had all the supporting papers anyway, CBP went through it.  Mother also showed them the blue letter from the consulate that stated everything was now online.  The CBP agent went to a back office with the blue paper, discussed with another agent, who shook his head.  The other agent came out, looked something up on the computer, then stamped the passport and said welcome to America!
 
Original CBP agent from booth came into the office and asked if everything was settled, told him everything was good, gave her a high five!  
 
Total Processing time at CBP: 20 minutes
 
It appears that this really is a new process and that it hasn't been communicated to all CBP agents.  I would still keep a copy of your supporting documents, with you just in case, but overall this seems to be a more secure and efficient method for handling the final IV Packet.  Thanks for all the replies!
 

Yes, this was with the Montreal consulate, so they're definitely making that push.  What's interesting is (although anecdotal since I wasn't in the interview), the consulate handed my Mother the letter stating everything is electronic but also said my mother will receive her passport and a sealed packet!  The last statement is really what threw us off.  Anyway, the CBP agent looked something up on their computer, so not sure if the consulate sends something or if they just pull up an electronic file.  In this case, we didn't give anyone any prior notice about the POE.  I'm assuming at this point that the supporting documents would be accessible at any POE.
 

I don’t think that’s correct.  It’s about making it entirely electronic.  Available at all POE.

I think it’s a great development, remember feeling very stressed in case we lost or damaged our packets!

UPDATE: Mother drove to the border today (she did not notify anyone at the consulate of plan to travel) with my sister.  She'll be flying next week, but wanted to try this out to identify if there were any issues with her paperwork so we could address before her flight from Toronto.
 
Once at the border, the CBP agent in the booth asked for the packet, and my sister stated they didn't get a separate packet, just the passport.  They were told to go inside and deal with them at the desk.
 
Once inside, the CBP agents asked for the sealed packet, where they explained that they didn't receive a packet.  Mother had all the supporting papers anyway, CBP went through it.  Mother also showed them the blue letter from the consulate that stated everything was now online.  The CBP agent went to a back office with the blue paper, discussed with another agent, who shook his head.  The other agent came out, looked something up on the computer, then stamped the passport and said welcome to America!
 
Original CBP agent from booth came into the office and asked if everything was settled, told him everything was good, gave her a high five!  
 
Total Processing time at CBP: 20 minutes
 
It appears that this really is a new process and that it hasn't been communicated to all CBP agents.  I would still keep a copy of your supporting documents, with you just in case, but overall this seems to be a more secure and efficient method for handling the final IV Packet.  Thanks for all the replies!
 

Interesting, this process does make more sense.  The visa actually states all IV docs in CCD, which I am assuming is a database the consulate uses.  I told my mother to head over to the US Border, tell the CBP agent that she never received the packet, and that she was told everything was online.  I'll post an update whenever she heads over.
 

UPDATE: Mother drove to the border today (she did not notify anyone at the consulate of plan to travel) with my sister.  She'll be flying next week, but wanted to try this out to identify if there were any issues with her paperwork so we could address before her flight from Toronto.
 
Once at the border, the CBP agent in the booth asked for the packet, and my sister stated they didn't get a separate packet, just the passport.  They were told to go inside and deal with them at the desk.
 
Once inside, the CBP agents asked for the sealed packet, where they explained that they didn't receive a packet.  Mother had all the supporting papers anyway, CBP went through it.  Mother also showed them the blue letter from the consulate that stated everything was now online.  The CBP agent went to a back office with the blue paper, discussed with another agent, who shook his head.  The other agent came out, looked something up on the computer, then stamped the passport and said welcome to America!
 
Original CBP agent from booth came into the office and asked if everything was settled, told him everything was good, gave her a high five!  
 
Total Processing time at CBP: 20 minutes
 
It appears that this really is a new process and that it hasn't been communicated to all CBP agents.  I would still keep a copy of your supporting documents, with you just in case, but overall this seems to be a more secure and efficient method for handling the final IV Packet.  Thanks for all the replies!
 

CCD = consular consolidated database 

Interesting, this process does make more sense.  The visa actually states all IV docs in CCD, which I am assuming is a database the consulate uses.  I told my mother to head over to the US Border, tell the CBP agent that she never received the packet, and that she was told everything was online.  I'll post an update whenever she heads over.