Is not knowing English going to be a problem at POE?

[dm559 34]

When someone enters the US on an immigration visa obviously not every immigrant is going to know English. How is this handled? Is there something their (English speaking) American families need to do in advance?

Edited February 3, 2013 by dm559

[TimeTravel 78]

When someone enters the US on an immigration visa obviously not every immigrant is going to know English. How is this handled? Is there something their (English speaking) American families need to do in advance?

First thing, it would delay their entry. It is not assured if they may arrange the translator for your language there. It is best to write down everything on paper, and phone number in case if POE official have to call to get the info.

[Andrea&Henry 311]

Well, if you read POE reviews you can see how hard immigrants officer can get, with immigrants who doesn't know english. I arrived through Miami POE. Everybody knows that Miami has one of the biggest latin communities in the States. Most of the immigration staff were cubans and puerto rican (they speak perfect spanish between themselves so I recognized their accents) but when they started working with the public, they stop doing it even when they realized, some of the tourist didn't know a word of english. I remember while a was waiting in line to got my passport checked, a peruvian couple were desperate trying to explain to the immigrant officer, that they dont know english. This officer was very very rude with them, stamped their passport and ask them to leave. When I got to that point i started speaking english, his entire body expression change and he told me he was happy that finally someone speak english to him. When I was done, he started joking with another officer in SPANISH I was like seriously? Once I got inside the white immigrant room, I'd to wait maybe 1 hr 45 min while they were checking my k1 package. Most of the almost 12 staff members were hispanic but they refuse to speak in spanish. They were very rude with non english speaking persons. Thank God I knew how to speak english so they treated very well, it was a huge difference and everybody noticed. My personal experience was excellent. They were kind and gentle with me. But I guess if you asked the same to the people who waited with me, they won't be agree. That's just me and ut was at Miami's poe. Maybe other's poe are different. Read the reviews here in vj! Good luck

[Andrea&Henry 311]

If the person who's coming to the states doesn't know how to speak english my advice would be to ask for a translator. Most of the POE have this service. If they can't have one, try to remain calm and dont get nervous. Try to learn a few basic words before coming to the states. Also, most if the officers, in order to be understand, they start using their hands to make signs and gesture. Signs are a universal language, so if you are calm and pay attention, you will understand, what the officers is requestion from you. My grandma doesn't know a word of english and she visit the States twice a year. Officers normally arr gentle with elderly people but she always try to do her best. She remains calm, smiling and paying attention to every single gesture.

[dm559 34]

Thank you all for your replies. I should add that they are arriving on CR1 & CR2 visas (immediate relative of USC).

[Asia 2,499]

You can also write some basic informations for them and have them printed it beforehand - to present it at the POE. Like 'we don't speak English'... like who are they coming to... put your phone number there and so on... just everything they need to introduce their whole situation to the POE officer without stressing too much...