CR1 Entering USA POE without Spouse Present?

[triterp80 1]

This is a strange situation that could of course only happen to me (facepalm), but if my wife who has her CR1 immigrant visa and the sealed/unopened packet enters the US for the first time without me present, would that pose any issues? She speaks English so that wouldn't be an issue. Would the immigration officer have any justification to refute her entry and send her back to China on suspicion of the fact that her spouse wasn't there with her?

In case it matters...

I'll explain the situation very briefly -- she and her mom both have visas and want to travel quickly to the US because her mom's husband has an illness and wants to take care of him and she wants to accompany her. This is also the reason her mom would come here without her petitioner spouse. Meanwhile I am not ready for multiple reasons - one moving to a new home and two studying for a major licensing exam taking place in early October. So the plan was for her to drop off her mom with her mom's husband and stay there about a week or so until I finish my exam and then I go down there to meet them once I finish the move and the exam. I feel like a shmuck but the situation has forced me to consider this possibility.

So any thoughts on whether there is cause for concern if both her and her mom would't have their petitioner spouses present? It feels very shady... but I wanted to check.

Thanks!!

[Amadia 711]

Hi,

I do not think that your wife will be refused entry since her visa package is legit but they may question her and her mom while going through the visa packet and its contents; which is regulatory. All in all, there shouldn't be any issues if they are without their petitioning spouses through the airport.

[triterp80 1]

Thank you so much for such a quick reply!

[Boiler 45,488]

You are in the US?

[LBeachey 44]

You are in the US?

I would echo this, the only issue would be is if you are outside the US and have not established residency in the US where the immigrant visa was issued on the basis of you intending to reestablish residency.

[triterp80 1]

Great point - thank you for clarifying. I'm in the U.S. without any intention relocate.

[Operator 1,927]

Your wife and her mother are both entering on a CR-1 visa?

[Boiler 45,488]

I assumed the mother was visiting.

[triterp80 1]

My wife is entering with CR-1 and her mother on IR-1.

[Operator 1,927]

That's pretty cool.

Most immigrant visa holders handle the entry on their own anyhow. It should be no problem.

Hope mom's husband recovers quickly and also congratulations!

[Eric & Idalia 56]

Answering your question: She will not have problems entering the country without you.

I entered the US by myself and I didn't have any problem. The petitioner does have to move/be in the US before the beneficiary enter. But there's no rule about entering the country together.

I speak English, but the immigration officer who processed the package spoke to me in Spanish. They were all extremely nice in Houston airport.

[triterp80 1]

That makes me feel a lot better - thank all of you so much. This is truly a great forum.

[Adil & Jeanne 296]

i will not be in Chicago when my husband comes in

[Shanelle 21]

I, too, in all likelihood, will be entering the USA w/o my husband......

[Amadia 711]

Same goes for me and my kids....my husband will be picking us up at the Fort Lauderdale Int'l airport so we'll be doing this on our own as well.