Port of Entry (POE)

[Bismillahir 0]

I am hopping Inshallah end of May I will fly to USA.

Could you kindly let me know your experience or if you have any suggestions for easy POE, please share with me.

Thanks for your support

[UmmSqueakster 54]

assalamu alaikum wr wb,

I think most ports of entry are about the same. My husband came in through Chicago and made it through immigration fine. It was the airport itself that got him confused. He got lost and if it wasn't for a nice janitor who spoke arabic, we joke he'd still be wandering around O'Hare.

Just make sure that you print off a map of the airport before you go, so you can be at least somewhat familiar with it, if you have a connecting flight to another airport.

[myfellah 0]

My husband came through JFK 6/05 and said it wasn't bad at all. It took him almost 2 hours. I drove the 9 hours to pick him up to make sure he didn't miss a connecting flight. I've heard other people say it takes longer and for some it was short. But Abdou said the men who talked with him were very nice. I hope you have a safe flight home.

Doreen

[honeyblonde 0]

BBR, it is so good to hear you finally getting to ask that question. Your patience has been admirable.

Abdel came in through JFK. He struck up a conversation with other Moroccans while he was waiting in line, and since they had been here for years, they helped him a whole lot. When they realized he was in the wrong line, they called a customs officer over to help him find the right line. That lady got him where he needed to be, but he was still so far back in line he never would have made his flight. He explained this to the lady and she moved him up farther in line.

I guess what I'm saying is, keep an eye on your watch, and if you need help, speak up. They are concerned about making sure you make your flight.

In the end, customs put him on a golf cart along with a couple of others that were running late for their flights and ended up putting him on a flight to Boston! Luckily for Abdel one of the Moroccans he had talked to earlier was on that flight and asked him what he was doing on a flight to Boston if he was going to Savannah. Abdel was able to rush off the plane just before it took off and get to his own flight just in time.

I also found the security officers at JFK very helpful when I flew through there, and noticed they were fluent in other languages. I realize being Saudi you might be a little worried about drawing security's attention to you, but please don't worry. They really are there to help and are very nice.

Even the locals can be helpful if you are lost. I found New York way friendlier than the reputation it has.

The airtrain there is pretty easy to use(and free), and you can read about it online and figure it out a little before you get there so you don't feel so lost. It's safer to use the airtrain to get between terminals than to walk outside. Abdel had taxi drivers trying to pick him up because he just walked from one terminal to another. That's not such a good idea with all the traffic.

Also, in JFK you can get the temp work stamp if you're K1, but I think you don't have to worry about that, do you?

Welcome to the US!

[Jasman0717 9]

Claudeth had are really great experience at the POE in LAX. The officer was very kind and nice, she was really appreciative of his concern for her getting her luggage and out of the terminal.

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

Chicago was fast and efficient. The immigration folks were very courteous and helpful to my husband. The whole process took only a few minutes... he would have been through there in a flash if Air France hadn't lost his luggage.

Most important: Do not forget the brown envelope ! You will need to present it (still sealed) to immigration there upon arrival, along with your passport and visa. Otherwise, relax.

Best of luck wherever you decide to land, Brother Ahmed -- have a safe, smooth journey !

Salam

-MK

[frndly1 1]

Saoudi said this was the best experience dealing with the gov't since we have been dealing with the k-1 process...lol I think it took him all but an hour to get thru customs. He had his Temp Work stamp and all.

[kerewin21 2]

Majid came in through JFK and it wasn't a great experience for him. He and about 4 other Moroccans from his flight got pulled aside and had to stand off to the side for 2 hours while everyone else from their flight and all the flights after theirs arrived. When there was finally a lull in the arrivals, he got asked a whole bunch of questions (the same ones he got asked at the interview, what is your fiancee's name, how did you meet, etc.) and then they let him go through. He wasn't expecting to be "interrogated" again, and to him it was pretty upsetting. I think it didn't help that the other Moroccans in the line told him they might decide not to let him in.

But in the end he made it through, it was mostly just the wait, the lack of explanation of why he was waiting, and feeling like he was interrogated that caused a problem.

[cbd2cai 0]

Majid came in through JFK and it wasn't a great experience for him. He and about 4 other Moroccans from his flight got pulled aside and had to stand off to the side for 2 hours while everyone else from their flight and all the flights after theirs arrived. When there was finally a lull in the arrivals, he got asked a whole bunch of questions (the same ones he got asked at the interview, what is your fiancee's name, how did you meet, etc.) and then they let him go through. He wasn't expecting to be "interrogated" again, and to him it was pretty upsetting. I think it didn't help that the other Moroccans in the line told him they might decide not to let him in.

But in the end he made it through, it was mostly just the wait, the lack of explanation of why he was waiting, and feeling like he was interrogated that caused a problem.

Bummer!!! I hope that doesn't happen to Ahmed when he decides to come, .

[kerewin21 2]

Bummer!!! I hope that doesn't happen to Ahmed when he decides to come, .

I would say, just warn him that they might ask him some questions and to stay calm. I think Maj was just rattled up because of what the other Moroccans told him.

In the end, it's barely even a footnote to a wonderful happy beginning

[dollface41601 0]

sofyan was thru Ohare chicago in about 45 mins...it was easy and they were moving soooooooo fast

[iceyspots 0]

JFK.. Detroit... Chicago... Good.... Atlanta = Bad lol

[cbd2cai 0]

JFK.. Detroit... Chicago... Good.... Atlanta = Bad lol

My Ahmed will be coming thru DFW and I read another post somewhere that it is OK as a POE. After coming back thru immigrations/customs this past trip . . . my first in the new international terminal . . . all I can say is that there was no one in the "immigrations" line. There was a long line for USC and a long line for non-USC. And right in the middle was one lone guy holding down the "immigrations" line. LOL, there was another guy who was directing ppl to the various lanes so he made sure that guy didn't lack for ppl to check.

Edited April 27, 2006 by cbarrosmostafa