JFK POE Experience

[ELW 5]

My guy is a first time traveler (never been on a plane before!). He came from Hyderabad, India to Dubai to Hamburg to JFK. Next day he came to LAX and then last flight to Fresno, where I picked him up. Four plane changes and total of over 52 hours flight & waiting time. (Note: he had asked for vegetarian meals but was served fish on the flight!)

He landed in JFK, went in the correct line and an Immigration Officer (IO) took the mysterious brown envelope and his passport. He opened the envelope and went through all the paperwork inside, one by one. He asked, “Are you here on K1 visa? How much money did you bring in? How did you meet? What is her name? Are you nervous?” (He answered, No!) And a few more questions. As the guy continued to look carefully at the photos, my guy OFFERED the info that I was older. Then the IO asked what both our ages were, then looked at his body up and down and asked while chuckling, “Did you pump her?” (Sounds like an illegal question to me!) While he used finger motions demonstrating. My guy remained silent at that insult. Then he asked, “Is she your fiancé?” and made the statement in a warning-type of voice, “You will get married within 90 days.” The IO gave the papers and passport back to my guy and sent him to another department.

In the other department he was asked to sit down (only one other person waiting) and the brown package was again taken and gone through, carefully, paper by paper, again and again. He then said, “You will get married within 90 days, OK?” My guy then asked for the EAD stamp, and this IO showed him that it was already stamped on his I-94 form. (Note: It was a stamp that said, “NYC 36 EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZED” with date stamp, but had no mention of expire date or any validity period.) He asked, “Is your fiancé there waiting for you?” When my guy said no, I'm in CA, the IO asked, “Do you want to go there?” and DUH my guy said yes, and showed him the ticket for the next morning. The IO then instructed him what terminal to go to for that flight.

All in all my guy was somewhat traumatized by the way and tone he was interviewed in, which was not smooth like the interview but somewhat nerve wracking.

My guy said Emirates was a very comfortable and pleasant flight (Hyderabad-Dubai-Hamburg-JFK) but United Airlines (JFK to LAX and Fresno) was a really bumpy ride, especially take offs and landings.

Anyway the long journey is OVER now and we are settling in finally together! THE WAIT IS OVER WHOOHOO! I'm sure the AOS process will be much more pleasant cuz we can do it together. Yea!

[JODO 2]

Then the IO asked what both our ages were, then looked at his body up and down and asked while chuckling, "Did you pump her?" (Sounds like an illegal question to me!) While he used finger motions demonstrating.

Well I'm sure that was uncomfortable,but I am happy he made it safely. Gosh and I complain about 16 hour flights to Cairo. That was a long time for him to fly..Bless his heart.

[broma25 2]

Wow it certainly seems like they gave him a hard time for some reason....happy he is here though

Happy Reunion

[Aymerlu 3]

It amazes me how rude these people can be. Congrats on his safe arrival and best of luck to you both.

[~Jackie~ 30]

Thank you for sharing the story of his arrival. and a big WELCOME TO AMERICA!

Jackie & Mohammed

[Marry American 0]

My guy is a first time traveler (never been on a plane before!). He came from Hyderabad, India to Dubai to Hamburg to JFK. Next day he came to LAX and then last flight to Fresno, where I picked him up. Four plane changes and total of over 52 hours flight & waiting time. (Note: he had asked for vegetarian meals but was served fish on the flight!)

He landed in JFK, went in the correct line and an Immigration Officer (IO) took the mysterious brown envelope and his passport. He opened the envelope and went through all the paperwork inside, one by one. He asked, "Are you here on K1 visa? How much money did you bring in? How did you meet? What is her name? Are you nervous?" (He answered, No!) And a few more questions. As the guy continued to look carefully at the photos, my guy OFFERED the info that I was older. Then the IO asked what both our ages were, then looked at his body up and down and asked while chuckling, "Did you pump her?" (Sounds like an illegal question to me!) While he used finger motions demonstrating. My guy remained silent at that insult. Then he asked, "Is she your fiancé?" and made the statement in a warning-type of voice, "You will get married within 90 days." The IO gave the papers and passport back to my guy and sent him to another department.

In the other department he was asked to sit down (only one other person waiting) and the brown package was again taken and gone through, carefully, paper by paper, again and again. He then said, "You will get married within 90 days, OK?" My guy then asked for the EAD stamp, and this IO showed him that it was already stamped on his I-94 form. (Note: It was a stamp that said, "NYC 36 EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZED" with date stamp, but had no mention of expire date or any validity period.) He asked, "Is your fiancé there waiting for you?" When my guy said no, I'm in CA, the IO asked, "Do you want to go there?" and DUH my guy said yes, and showed him the ticket for the next morning. The IO then instructed him what terminal to go to for that flight.

All in all my guy was somewhat traumatized by the way and tone he was interviewed in, which was not smooth like the interview but somewhat nerve wracking.

My guy said Emirates was a very comfortable and pleasant flight (Hyderabad-Dubai-Hamburg-JFK) but United Airlines (JFK to LAX and Fresno) was a really bumpy ride, especially take offs and landings.

Anyway the long journey is OVER now and we are settling in finally together! THE WAIT IS OVER WHOOHOO! I'm sure the AOS process will be much more pleasant cuz we can do it together. Yea!

Sorry he had such a bad experience. Better times ahead

[misslady 0]

My guy is a first time traveler (never been on a plane before!). He came from Hyderabad, India to Dubai to Hamburg to JFK. Next day he came to LAX and then last flight to Fresno, where I picked him up. Four plane changes and total of over 52 hours flight & waiting time. (Note: he had asked for vegetarian meals but was served fish on the flight!)

He landed in JFK, went in the correct line and an Immigration Officer (IO) took the mysterious brown envelope and his passport. He opened the envelope and went through all the paperwork inside, one by one. He asked, "Are you here on K1 visa? How much money did you bring in? How did you meet? What is her name? Are you nervous?" (He answered, No!) And a few more questions. As the guy continued to look carefully at the photos, my guy OFFERED the info that I was older. Then the IO asked what both our ages were, then looked at his body up and down and asked while chuckling, "Did you pump her?" (Sounds like an illegal question to me!) While he used finger motions demonstrating. My guy remained silent at that insult. Then he asked, "Is she your fiancé?" and made the statement in a warning-type of voice, "You will get married within 90 days." The IO gave the papers and passport back to my guy and sent him to another department.

In the other department he was asked to sit down (only one other person waiting) and the brown package was again taken and gone through, carefully, paper by paper, again and again. He then said, "You will get married within 90 days, OK?" My guy then asked for the EAD stamp, and this IO showed him that it was already stamped on his I-94 form. (Note: It was a stamp that said, "NYC 36 EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZED" with date stamp, but had no mention of expire date or any validity period.) He asked, "Is your fiancé there waiting for you?" When my guy said no, I'm in CA, the IO asked, "Do you want to go there?" and DUH my guy said yes, and showed him the ticket for the next morning. The IO then instructed him what terminal to go to for that flight.

All in all my guy was somewhat traumatized by the way and tone he was interviewed in, which was not smooth like the interview but somewhat nerve wracking.

My guy said Emirates was a very comfortable and pleasant flight (Hyderabad-Dubai-Hamburg-JFK) but United Airlines (JFK to LAX and Fresno) was a really bumpy ride, especially take offs and landings.

Anyway the long journey is OVER now and we are settling in finally together! THE WAIT IS OVER WHOOHOO! I'm sure the AOS process will be much more pleasant cuz we can do it together. Yea!

Sorry he had such a bad experience. Better times ahead

Congratulations. Glad he made it through that POE hurdle. I hope the rest of the process goes well for you both.

Take care.

ml

[doc_cute 0]

dear eillen

happy reunion to u both

n wish u safe n nice journey ahead

Mala

[rebex05 1]

What a long journey for him, well both of you really. Congratulations on being together again and your life together!!!

[Nikita2Charles 32]

Congratulations!

Welcome to California, we are in the south bay San Jose, If anything just drop us an IM. Sorry for having met a Jerk at the POE, glad to made it home safe to be with your love one.

[Karri 0]

whoo hooooooo!

[^KK^ 3]

thanks for sharing your story. Congrats on the EAD!!!! That's very important.