Parents want to visit

[nane1104 146]

My parents have finally decided to visit me here in the US. They are both german citizens and will be using the VWP. No problems here.

The only problem I can see come up is, they do not speak english at all and we all are a bit worried how they will do going through Immigration and Customs. I know I have seen translators at some airports but I don't know if that is standard.

They will be coming in to Chicago International Airport (O'Hare?).

So I thought I'd type up a letter for them to show to the officer at Immigration in case there is nobody to translate and I hope I covered it all: Destination, purpose of travel, time of return, no intend to work,...

Here is what I wrote, what do you think? Is anything missing, is it to much?

To whom it may concern:

My name is H.KXXXXXX, I am a german citizen and I would like to enter the United States of America under the Visa Waiver Program.

The purpose of my stay is to visit my daughter, who is a permanent resident in the USA, and my two grandsons who live in Minot, North Dakota while her husband and father of her children is deployed with the United States Air Force.

I intend to stay for 3 weeks until May 13, 2013 and then return to Germany. I do not intend to seek employment of any kind during my visit and I do not intend to stay beyond the time authorized by DHS.

My wife, who is traveling with me, and I will be staying at our daughters house. The address is xx xxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx

In case of any questions or concerns, please allow me to contact my daughter to answer any questions that may arise. Her name is XXXXXXXXXX and her phone numbers are xxx-xxx-xxxx or xxx-xxx-xxxx.

Thank you.

Respectfully,

THe last part about contacting me in case of problems I am thinking of not including because it may sound like there is reason to believe something could be wrong? Or am I thinking to much?? I just had one really bad experience while entering on the VWP, secondary inspection and all and I felt so helpless despite speaking english. I can't imagine my parents going through that while not understanding a word and not knowing at all what is going on. What do you guys think?

This is their very first trip to the US and I want it to be going really smoothly for them:)

Thanks for any input and advice!

[kdude1 3]

The letter is probably a good idea, at least as a backup, just make sure they know what it says. Surely your parents can show strong ties to Germany as they have lived there, they probably have house, car and family?

There is also the issue of filling out the little form when you land, that form is in English so not sure how non-English speaking people fill it out.

[Dave&Roza 748]

My parents have finally decided to visit me here in the US. They are both german citizens and will be using the VWP. No problems here.

The only problem I can see come up is, they do not speak english at all and we all are a bit worried how they will do going through Immigration and Customs. I know I have seen translators at some airports but I don't know if that is standard.

They will be coming in to Chicago International Airport (O'Hare?).

So I thought I'd type up a letter for them to show to the officer at Immigration in case there is nobody to translate and I hope I covered it all: Destination, purpose of travel, time of return, no intend to work,...

Here is what I wrote, what do you think? Is anything missing, is it to much?

To whom it may concern:

My name is H.KXXXXXX, I am a german citizen and I would like to enter the United States of America under the Visa Waiver Program.

The purpose of my stay is to visit my daughter, who is a permanent resident in the USA, and my two grandsons who live in Minot, North Dakota while her husband and father of her children is deployed with the United States Air Force.

I intend to stay for 3 weeks until May 13, 2013 and then return to Germany. I do not intend to seek employment of any kind during my visit and I do not intend to stay beyond the time authorized by DHS.

My wife, who is traveling with me, and I will be staying at our daughters house. The address is xx xxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx

In case of any questions or concerns, please allow me to contact my daughter to answer any questions that may arise. Her name is XXXXXXXXXX and her phone numbers are xxx-xxx-xxxx or xxx-xxx-xxxx.

Thank you.

Respectfully,

THe last part about contacting me in case of problems I am thinking of not including because it may sound like there is reason to believe something could be wrong? Or am I thinking to much?? I just had one really bad experience while entering on the VWP, secondary inspection and all and I felt so helpless despite speaking english. I can't imagine my parents going through that while not understanding a word and not knowing at all what is going on. What do you guys think?

This is their very first trip to the US and I want it to be going really smoothly for them:)

Thanks for any input and advice!

I asked this of the CBP in Denver as my MIL speaks Russian or Kazakh. I thought about the letter, but I just let her go thru on her own. I was told thy can call a translator if needed. She had no problems. The only isue she had was when we visited NYC and the flight attendant heard her mumbling about the annoying kid in front of us who could not stop bothering his traveling mates for the first 1.5 ours of the flight. She stopped to ask my MIL what the problem was and my MIL went off in Russian. The flight attendant looked at me and all I said indicating the kid in question that he was being annoying.

Your parents will be fine. You can give them the letter if you wish, but it is not necessary. Of course my MIL did not go thru O'hare. I did complete the I-94 and customs declaration form for her and e-mail her a copy she could follow.

Good luck,

Dave

Edited February 21, 2013 by Dave&Roza

[Lainie B 465]

There is no I-94 to be filled in on the plane by VWP entrants anymore - it is all done electronically now (via ESTA).

There will be a customs/quarantine form to fill in

[Boiler 45,467]

They are not exactly unused to dealing with tourists who are not English speakers.

[nane1104 146]

They are not exactly unused to dealing with tourists who are not English speakers.

I know. Knowing my parents though, I want to make things as easy for everyone as possible, including the poor officer who will have to deal with them as my parents are known for making even the easiest process very difficult and complicated, LOL!

Generally, should they also bring evidence of ties to Germany? And if yes, what? They don't have any mortgage or anything, they outright own a home and both are retired, so in theory prime candidates for "extended stays".

[Boiler 45,467]

You are over thinking.

The vast majority of visitors, well bringing docs would never occur to them.

They are used to obeying orders? They should be fine.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

I think the letter is fine, but I don't see the need to say "I won't be working illegally." Your contact info is good,but maybe word it differently, say "if there are any questions" instead of "in case of concerns."

[nane1104 146]

You are right, I am probably overthinking the whole thing. Thank you for the feedback!