Advice needed for at the border after filing I-129F

[thatangela 134]

Hey all,

We just sent our I-129F to Texas by courier yesterday. I know there's still a lot of work to do (including praying to the gods we get sent to California Service Centre), but I'm giddy like a little schoolgirl!

I have been crossing frequently over the last three and a half years to visit my (now) fiance. Occasionally, the U.S. border guards will tell me that when we do decide to start the process, I should come in and get some advice on what to do next.

Is this a good idea? Has anyone done it?

[Boiler 45,516]

Be prepared to be misinformed.

[Flames9_RN 358]

I traveled almost monthly to DC from NS and never had a problem...my 2 cents is below in my signature

[thatangela 134]

It's good advice in your sig but it pretty much applies to anyone crossing the border at any time.

[Flames9_RN 358]

It's good advice in your sig but it pretty much applies to anyone crossing the border at any time.

Yes....and thats pretty much how it goes for people with cr-1/ir-1 or k1......I think many just make such a huge deal out of it......yes some people do get denied entry.....just like normal tourists get denied entry....One just has to be honest, and be prepared. I'm guessing most people doing the tourist thing don't bring nay evidence of ties to Canada with them...I know I never did. When I was coming back from Nicaragua in May....couple in front of me where from Latin America, she was a USA citizen and he was coming in as a tourist...I didn't hear all the details of course, but he got in,lol

Edited July 16, 2014 by Flames9_RN

[NikLR 13,227]

Really there isn't much of an issue as long as you work or go to school. It's an issue if you make it an issue and why would you do that if you have nothing to hide?

[Rob & Monika 87]

As long as you appear to be just visiting, you shouldn't have a problem. It's when people give the impression they are moving, either by what they say, or what they bring with them, or not having a return trip planned, or other circumstances, that makes the CBP think twice about it. We had no problems crossing, and there were a few times when we crossed together they asked how the other person was going to get back home. Heck even Greyhound operators would ask to see the return ticket before boarding, and if you didn't have it they would ask you how you were getting back home (I was driving a UHaul back :-)).

[twin810s 23]

When me and my now husband were engaged, neither of us had issues crossing. Just be prepared for a lot of questions once you say you are visiting your fiance. We found this triggered them to ask a lot of questions about or relationship...example: Who's moving where, when/if you filed the paperwork and/or where are you at in the process. Be honest and you should be good to go.

[mrs thb 331]

get nexus, it is so worth it!!!

[NikLR 13,227]

NEXUS also gets you TSA precheck and global entry. Precheck is totally worth it too in large airports. I got thru the TSA in Atlanta 20-30 mins before my husband. I didn't want to go ahead of him but he said, correctly, 1 ticket was cheaper than 2 if we missed the flight.

[thatangela 134]

I think you guys are missing the question. I'm not expecting trouble when I cross as I've gotten to know several of the guards at my usual POE.

What I'm wondering is if the border guards -- who have, in the past, offered advice on how to proceed with my immigration -- would have any useful information. Boiler answered it rather succinctly in Post No. 2.

[Boiler 45,516]

I think you guys are missing the question. I'm not expecting trouble when I cross as I've gotten to know several of the guards at my usual POE.

What I'm wondering is if the border guards -- who have, in the past, offered advice on how to proceed with my immigration -- would have any useful information. Boiler answered it rather succinctly in Post No. 2.

I was wondering what all the other replies were about. VJ posts often do go off in odd directions.

No harm having a chat, sounds like they mean well.

[mrs thb 331]

Hey all,

We just sent our I-129F to Texas by courier yesterday. I know there's still a lot of work to do (including praying to the gods we get sent to California Service Centre), but I'm giddy like a little schoolgirl!

I have been crossing frequently over the last three and a half years to visit my (now) fiance. Occasionally, the U.S. border guards will tell me that when we do decide to start the process, I should come in and get some advice on what to do next.

Is this a good idea? Has anyone done it?

I cross frequently too but none have offered advice on 'coaching' me so to speak, but then again, I never suggested I wanted it.

If you have the time, go for it. it might help....but then again, as Boiler suggests....hinder.

Edited July 17, 2014 by mrs thb

[thatangela 134]

I was wondering what all the other replies were about. VJ posts often do go off in odd directions.

No harm having a chat, sounds like they mean well.

For sure. Have seen it on many a discussion board.

I cross frequently too but none have offered advice on 'coaching' me so to speak, but then again, I never suggested I wanted it.

If you have the time, go for it. it might help....but then again, as Boiler suggests....hinder.

I think it's always very cute of them to offer. They seem to mean well. I cross at Osoyoos, B.C., so it's a pretty small spot, although it gets busy in the summer.

[Rob & Monika 87]

I think I remember a story on here where an attractive young lady was always getting pulled into secondary all the time, and it seemed there was no valid reason why they were doing it. She was under the impression they just wanted to flirt with her. Perhaps that is all these offers are.