having an alternative look while going through immigration

[VisagirlNJ 0]

This may sound crazy but I'm worried about fiance making it through immigration on Wednesday. Everything is done and he has his brown envelope and visa in hand.

What does worry me is that he has a crazy look; wears goth type clothes and has crazy hair with plastic in it. Could this affect an officer's decision to let him in??? I would hope not. I told him it might be best to just look normal that day, but all that hair stuff he recently did cost some money.

a bit worried.

[Kez/JWolf 6]

It should not make any diffrence...... but if he looks undesirable they my give him a hard time... can he tone it down for traveling?? If it was me I would not want to give them any reason to make things harder than they already are...

hope all goes ok and he get in with little peoblems as poss....

Kezzie

[Jaylen Brit 0]

People make value judgements based on appearance and Im sure POE officers are no different.

If it was ME I might keep the hair but wear so-called 'normal' clothes - then he doesnt have to compromise his expensive do if its important for him to keep it. Is he a musician? If so just saying that to any odd looks will probably smooth things over - used to travel with a Muso who had a mohawk and it always got him attention (not the good kind) at airports - but the words 'Im a musician' out of his mouth caused knowing smiles and nods and that was it, lol

Edited April 28, 2006 by Jaylen Brit

[Jasman0717 9]

People make value judgements based on appearance and Im sure POE officers are no different.

If it was ME I might keep the hair but wear so-called 'normal' clothes - then he doesnt have to compromise his expensive do if its important for him to keep it. Is he a musician? If so just saying that to any odd looks will probably smooth things over - used to travel with a Muso who had a mohawk and it always got him attention (not the good kind) at airports - but the words 'Im a musician' out of his mouth caused knowing smiles and nods and that was it, lol

[keltic 1]

also, consider your fiance's point of entry...

according to your nick... i would think probably JFK or philly international...

philly is tough... my husband (then fiance) has long hair, eyebrow and ear piercings... on his first visit, he came thru philly and was detained for an hour and 45 mins, questioned by 6 ppl, and had luggage searched before he was allowed to come thru

when he got his K1, he came thru JFK and it took just a few mins with no questions, searching or anything... just gave him his temp EAD stamp and sent him on his merry way

i would agree also that maybe he could try to conform to a bit more of the expected for his trip, just to save him some trouble... i wouldnt do anything that would cost a significant amount of money to change... just chalk it up to one more thing in the red tape of getting here

oh, and the idea telling them hes a musician is a great one (provided that he is, of course)

best of luck!

[Fuzzness 2]

I agree. he should dress more appropriately when going through the POE, if he wants to avoid any unnecessary hardships.

[Kajikit 65]

Tell him to lose the goth clothes for the trip... if he has to go out and buy something not black and not with mottoes on it he should! It's a small investment into his future....

[Jasman0717 9]

[Reba 2]

I used to go thru wearing a long black PVC coat, or my black cloak and boots, never had a problem. You have to take the coat off anyway to put it thru the x-ray, so they can immediately see there's no sawed-off hiding under it or in my jeans pocket. And its not likely they'll figure he's got a sawed-off hiding in his hair.

Its a pain in the ####### tho when they ask you to remove footwear, and you're wearing lace up boots

Its a comfort/judgement call. I used to wear my boots all the time when I was travelling because they don't fit well in my suitcase, but now I have to stuff them in the suitcase because its such a pain when they ask (everyone) to remove shoes when going thru security now. I still wear my cloak tho if its cold, I use it as a blanket

[crashandcari 0]

You also want to make sure he looks like his passport picture... That would bring up a whole other set of problems.... He doesn't need to compromise himself but tone it down so he's not as noticeable... Best of luck!!

[KarenCee 3]

I used to go thru wearing a long black PVC coat, or my black cloak and boots, never had a problem. You have to take the coat off anyway to put it thru the x-ray, so they can immediately see there's no sawed-off hiding under it or in my jeans pocket. And its not likely they'll figure he's got a sawed-off hiding in his hair.

Its a pain in the ####### tho when they ask you to remove footwear, and you're wearing lace up boots

Its a comfort/judgement call. I used to wear my boots all the time when I was travelling because they don't fit well in my suitcase, but now I have to stuff them in the suitcase because its such a pain when they ask (everyone) to remove shoes when going thru security now. I still wear my cloak tho if its cold, I use it as a blanket

I hate having to remove my shoes...so I wear my Birkenstocks (slides right off) most of the time. I have to agree with everyone else about toning it down...its not a case of not being able to express himself...its about getting through the CBP and home to you!

Edited April 30, 2006 by KarenCee

[Fandango 1,439]

What's more important? the hairdo or a swift poe?

*shrug*

[Aymerlu 3]

He can just tone it down for a day and go back to being himself when he is with you.

[iceyspots 0]

Yes!! Try to look as much as like the passport photos... but.. go a little bit more formal on the clothing (I assume the passport pictures don't really get much of a glimpse on the clothes)!

[VisagirlNJ 0]

thanks for all the advice. I will pass it on to him and let you all know how it goes on Wednesday