Need info on POE from CDJ

[Liz&Nate 23]

Hi. I am wondering if any VJ'er who has used one of the CDJ Ports of Entry (especially if it's the Ysleta (Zaragoza) bridge can help me. I have checked out the other threads before but I haven't seen the something similar to my case. I am hoping to cross into El Paso, TX on Saturday from the Ysleta bridge on CDJ on a K1. I have used both bridges before as a regular CDJ/ELP commuter, which is why I have the following concern: In the past whenever I use the pedestrian bridge to cross into the the CBP offices to request an I-94 permit, you will be asked to go back to the pedestrian line for inspection, even though you were inspected before being admitted to the offices. This has been worrying me because the K1 is a single entry visa (in the past, I have just used my multiple entry BCC to just go back to the line and be re-inspected) and I am afraid that after getting my paperwork stamped I won't be allowed to be re-inspected. I have read the few POE reviews there are and none seem to deal with this issue, so on the one hand maybe it is non-existent, since they obviously deal with single entry crossers all the time. On the other hand it is terrifying to think I'll be stuck on some kind of bridge limbo after getting my I-94. Has anyone used CDJ as a port of entry? Can anyone pleas, please please reassure me on this?

[Liz&Nate 23]

I can see this was a tough and confusing question. When the POE review time comes I'll just have to include the answer. I do see that I might be paranoid, since obviously if this were an issue there would be a lot of warnings about it (duh, feel silly now), but I won't be able to breathe easy until I know I am able to be with my guy for good I guess. Thanks anyway!

[xxdreamer 1]

Last minute paranoia, happens all the time!

Wish I had info, but just came in here to say Good Luck!

[Liz&Nate 23]

Thanks. That's actually pretty reassuring in and of itself!

[TBoneTX 46,276]

I recall reading here, not long ago, something from a Mexico poster about the POE's being assigned. I can't find or verify the post.

I went through Ysleta once as a tourist (USC), and I have no memories of any untoward treatment.

It would be tempting to achieve POE at one of the smaller ports, for example a bit downriver at Fabens. I've recommended that prospective K-1 entrants phone ahead to the port office (of smaller POEs) to give them a time-range of when the entry might be, and to ensure that they have adequate and proper personnel to process the entry. The CBP agents would appreciate this greatly, for sure, and it would probably ease the immigrant's entry -- not only from a logistical but also a public-relations standpoint! A couple of assigned agents trying to process a mile-long line of cars on a 100-degree day are not going to be in good humor if they're faced with unexpected, time-consuming extra work. I don't know how they maintain their composure as well as they do in those circumstances anyway, let alone when they're dressed in those thick black uniforms in Texas heat. But regardless...

For a firm answer to your question, call the Ysleta port office directly and express your concern. Per the CBP website, their phone number is (915) 872-3424, and they're open 24 hours a day, si man, so you can call at any hour. Let us know not only what they say, but what your actual experience is!

[Liz&Nate 23]

Thanks TBoneTx! Actually, I'd had enough experience crossing Ysleta to more of less figure out what the best walking crossing times are (on weekends, Sunday after 4 pm but before 7. Or at night, if you want to risk it) and that the people inside the administrative offices are pretty nice so long as you don't catch them on peak days when the lines for I-94's are insane. The POE itself doesn't faze as much as the fact that I've never had to cross with a single entry visa and I do seem to recall being inspected twice at least one when applying for an I-94 because I literally turned left instead of right at one of the exit doors. So in this crazy time of trying to do everything right I got very frazzled by that memory.

After talking with my fiance, who is El Paso based and also has experience using that POE we just worked out that obviously, since the Juarez consulate does assign bridges (they do state in the welcome letter that you can use any port of entry, but if you cross from CDJ you should use the bridge indicated on the visa packet), the people at POE should know how to handle K1 people pretty well and from this and other forums it is apparent that getting stuck on the wrong side of POE isn't a common occurrence (Nathan had to laugh at my fear of being trapped in the administration offices like in the movie "The Terminal"! And I have to admit, it was a funny thing after all!) so I ended up dismissing this fear as a bit of irrational pre-POE jitters. Still, I'll try to write a detailed review after entry, just in case someone else gets the bit of paranoia that accompanies those last-step butterflies in the tummy!

[TBoneTX 46,276]

Sounds like you'll be in good shape, C-Bone, si man. Thanks for agreeing to provide a report!