POE Houston - Your Experiences?

[speedwell 224]

Hey everyone! My husband's interview is in London on the 14th and I am THINKING POSITIVE!!! We are already looking at plane flights but of course we won't get anything until he gets his stamped passport back.

We're trying to decide whether we want him to go through the port of entry in Dublin or in Houston. We are thinking Houston will be easier because they process so many folks.

Did you enter through Houston? How was it? What did they do?

Thanks!!

[canadian_wife 1,822]

http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/poereviews.php?poe=Houston&dfilter=0

Try the POE reviews

Good luck!

[speedwell 224]

Nothing really recent there. I was hoping for someone who entered recently.

[domwardbound 73]

Well, coming in as a US citizen is tough enough, and I even have Global Entry. Passed through customs in Houston many times, and more times than not, feel like I've done something wrong when I walk out of there.

Hopefully they treat our new immigrants better, but I expect the worst and can't be disappointed!

However, I will say that my wife has come into Houston on B1/B2 many times, and never had any trouble.

Edited June 11, 2013 by domwardbound

[TBoneTX 45,289]

Knowing only about Houston and nothing about Dublin, I'd suggest Dublin.

Houston has treated me (USC) like a criminal several times. They've harassed my family members. They nearly made my pregnant-at-the-time wife cry. The next time they're rude to me, I'll be tempted to say "It seems that we need your supervisor out here with a blank complaint form. Please call him or her immediately."

I once had the opportunity to do the POE stuff on the "front end," in Canada, and it was wonderful to be able to hop off the plane in the U.S. and just GO.

Submitted for your consideration.

[speedwell 224]

Fair enough. As a frequent business traveler and USC I've come through Houston myself many times, and had nothing but pleasant experiences, even when I brought way over the limit in duty-free Scotch and even when I innocently brought back sausage from Germany! I guess I just look "nice". That's why I wanted some more balanced opinions. Thanks. We'll continue to consider Dublin.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Neither of us or our British guests have ever had anything but nice treatment at IAH. For some reason, I would want my important POE documents turned over on this side of the pond, but Dublin may be just as efficient in getting them to the National Records Center. And Houston changed over to the paperless I-94 the first week of the phase in, so maybe has it down pat by now.

[The Mean Lady 604]

Nothing really recent there. I was hoping for someone who entered recently.

Could be worse.

My POE spot?

Review #513 for Entry on: 2005-03-31

[TBoneTX 45,289]

Out of respect to the subsequent respondents, add to my earlier post that "your experience may differ."

[KLB 3]

Hey everyone! My husband's interview is in London on the 14th and I am THINKING POSITIVE!!! We are already looking at plane flights but of course we won't get anything until he gets his stamped passport back.

We're trying to decide whether we want him to go through the port of entry in Dublin or in Houston. We are thinking Houston will be easier because they process so many folks.

Did you enter through Houston? How was it? What did they do?

Thanks!!

Hi Speedwell,

Both myself and my daughter came through Houston 2 weeks ago on a K1 & K2 so it may be a little different for you. What can I say about our experience, it wasn't great ... but ... it wasn't horrendous. It was very busy, make sure you have a long lay over if you have an internal flight. We of course had to go to secondary and we were caught up in there for over 3 hours. They had very few staff on ... well 2 to be exact! There seemed to be an attitude of distain by the Border Entry Officers towards some of the people waiting to be processed, however they were extremely polite to us, and when all is said and done they have a job to do.

There were a number of questions asked, one being ... "What is your reason for entering the US"! the rest just general, where will you be reside etc.

Nich-Nick is correct the I-94 is now done electronically and you will be able to print a copy after 24 hours.

[NikLR 13,227]

All the US/Canadian POEs are now under that heading... it's hard to find them for the specific land or air crossing.

[The Mean Lady 604]

All the US/Canadian POEs are now under that heading... it's hard to find them for the specific land or air crossing.

Under what heading?

You seem to have forgotten how to quote last night!

[Ryan H 3,812]

And Houston changed over to the paperless I-94 the first week of the phase in, so maybe has it down pat by now.

Nich-Nick is correct the I-94 is now done electronically and you will be able to print a copy after 24 hours.

CR-1 visa holders do not complete an I-94 (electronic or otherwise) so this is not relevant.

[KLB 3]

CR-1 visa holders do not complete an I-94 (electronic or otherwise) so this is not relevant.

It may not be relevant for a CR-1 but another K-1 may read this thread and it will be relevant. You will also see in my post I am a K-1

[The Mean Lady 604]

It may not be relevant for a CR-1 but another K-1 may read this thread and it will be relevant. You will also see in my post I am a K-1

Regardless, I'm glad Ryan said something because me, who is not a K1, was very confused by your post.

I thought I was missing info for my POE.