Getting through Customs For my girlfriend

[Harsh_77 718]

First, there are very distinct differences with customs allowances if you are or are not a US citizen or LPR. So, it does matter. You can read this in the CBP "Know before you go" publication.

USC's get harassed during immigration all the time; I am one of them. I've been secondaried more a few times. It's not pleasant or welcoming.

With the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, Customs was taken from the Treasury and placed under DHS. Some of the INS roles were then combined with it and given to a new agency called Customs and Border Protection. CBP plays both hats at both lines, even though I agree it doesn't make breaucratic sense--but I can see where it would make practical sense. This is a different discussion, but, nevertheless CBP now does both and agents have to know and are tested on both systems.

Altough I agree that the OP is making a symantic error, we all know what he's talking about--no need to call symantics on this one.

Yes what your are talking about is the allowances are different, there is not seprate lines to process USC or anyone else. Customs agent takes care of these rules while applying penalty.

I have never heard a USC put stopped for secondary inspection during immigration (unless they have something against their reocord that tips the officer otherwise). This someting could also be unusal number of trips to certain country duration of trips etc, there is lot that goes in this equation but in general USC /LPR clears immigration pretty easily.

On other hand someone holding visa has to have all the supporting documents to show the purpose of the visit how long they would be here, who is paying for the trip and why would they return back to their home country.

[CC90 90]

I have never heard a USC put stopped for secondary inspection during immigration (unless they have something against their reocord that tips the officer otherwise). This someting could also be unusal number of trips to certain country duration of trips etc, there is lot that goes in this equation but in general USC /LPR clears immigration pretty easily.

On other hand someone holding visa has to have all the supporting documents to show the purpose of the visit how long they would be here, who is paying for the trip and why would they return back to their home country.

Right, but the point is that citizens and LPRs can very easily be secondaried at will. Unlike non-citizens, US citizens have nothing to gain by waiving their 5th amendment rights, though. There's no question about a citizen's admissability, just their activity--to which the citizen has a right not to answer and still be admitted.

I apologize if I read your post incorrectly.

[bennyb86 0]

you're right. I am confused. I should not be talking about CUSTOMS, I should be talking about IMMIGRATION.

Glad that all got sorted

and fyi Yes, I have been hassled going through IMMIGRATION coming into the USA. The last time they interviewed me in a closed room because I was off by one month telling them how long I had been traveling for (I had been living abroad for 1 year and then traveling 5 months, I said traveling for half a year, and they flipped and wanted to know why I lied blah blah blah) It was a wonderful welcome back to the US for me.

[CC90 90]

I said traveling for half a year, and they flipped and wanted to know why I lied blah blah blah) It was a wonderful welcome back to the US for me.

They're absolutely insane. I know exactly how you feel.

[Harsh_77 718]

you're right. I am confused. I should not be talking about CUSTOMS, I should be talking about IMMIGRATION.

Glad that all got sorted

and fyi Yes, I have been hassled going through IMMIGRATION coming into the USA. The last time they interviewed me in a closed room because I was off by one month telling them how long I had been traveling for (I had been living abroad for 1 year and then traveling 5 months, I said traveling for half a year, and they flipped and wanted to know why I lied blah blah blah) It was a wonderful welcome back to the US for me.

Cool you got sorted it out...I meant was in most cases when majority of USC return from like 4 -6 weeks vaccation they would normally not be given any hard time.

Also it depends on where you are returning from, if you returning from country where drug smuggling is high or they think the route you took to return was not usual then yes they would take u in secondary questioning.

Wht I have been trying to tell you in past posts is when someone calls in like you wanted to for your gf ahead of her arrival, it makes them think otherwise as its not the usual approach.

[bennyb86 0]

True, call me old fashioned but I would rather talk to the source then spend 3 hours searching the CBP or USCIS website looking for an answer.

But I guess I should just give up on my hope for humanity haha

[Boiler 46,012]

How do you know who will be interviewing her?

[bennyb86 0]

thanks!

I had her take a signed document vouching for her with my passport info scanned as well on it. Apparently this helped her a lot because they looked up my information and found I had visited her in Venezuela and we have been traveling together throughout the last 2 years.

THIS was the type of info I was looking for; what type of things will help her get through much more smoothly.

Anyways, with her very limited English and many interrogations she made it through! YAY!

Thanks again you all.