Puerto Rico as a port of entry

[Xtrife 0]

I finally received my Cr1 visa and visa packet, everything went well and I have my flight booked with Orlando, FL as my destination. However, my flight stops at San Juan, Puerto Rico first, where I'll have to wait and board the next one that will take me to Orlando. 

 

My question is, is Puerto Rico considered a port of entry? do I hand my visa packet there or am I supposed to keep it and hand it over at Orlando? 

 

If PR is indeed a POE, would that make things more difficult? I understand they would then have to ship my documents in order for me to receive my green card later. 

[igoyougoduke 1,676]

Yes Puerto Rico is POE. Green card will be sent to your physical address in USA not Point of entry 

[Just Paul 4,595]

Your POE doens't matter.  Puerto Rico, Guam, NMI, American Samoa are all ok.  CBP has preclearance locations in other countries,   Ireland, Canada, the the Carribean and even die Dubai.

 

Just make sure you have plenty of time to process between flights.  Less than 2 hours woud be cutting it short.

[Allaboutwaiting 2,503]

Green card production won't happen unless you pay the fee, so pay as soon as possible, before departing.

There are many factors that contribute to delays, but which port of entry you use is not one of them. 

Edited June 6, 2020 by Allaboutwaiting

[Ryan H 3,834]

Moved from Progress Reports to Process & Procedures.

[HRQX 4,145]

5 hours ago, Paul & Mary said:

American Samoa

"American Samoa is a U.S. insular area that operates its customs and immigration programs according to its own laws and independent of the United States. As such, U.S. agencies, such as U.S. Customs and Border Protection, have no roles in operating the customs or immigration programs in American Samoa." https://www.gao.gov/assets/310/305412.html

https://www.cbp.gov/contact/ports

[Xtrife 0]

Thanks everyone. I already paid the immigrant fee, just wanted to make sure about Puerto Rico. Is there a section that details the POE/Visa packet process? I hear the agent there is gonna be asking me questions and being rejected is still a possibility at that stage. Also, I need to apply for my SSN next but it seems SSAs are closed due to the pandemic?

 

@Donald120383 @Paul & Mary @Allaboutwaiting

[HRQX 4,145]

4 minutes ago, Xtrife said:

I need to apply for my SSN

What did you select for "Do you want the Social Security Administration to assign you an SSN (and issue a card) or issue you a new card (if you have an SSN)? You must answer "Yes" to this question and to the "Consent To Disclosure" in order to receive an SSN and/or card." on the DS-260?

[Xtrife 0]

1 minute ago, HRQX said:

What did you select for "Do you want the Social Security Administration to assign you an SSN (and issue a card) or issue you a new card (if you have an SSN)? You must answer "Yes" to this question and to the "Consent To Disclosure" in order to receive an SSN and/or card." on the DS-260?

I didnt request a SSN in my application because most places I read said it was not recommended as it can take longer and many times the SSN is not processed at all and you have to go the SSA route anyway. But I've only found out now that the SSA centers are closed

[HRQX 4,145]

10 minutes ago, Xtrife said:

it seems SSAs are closed due to the pandemic?

They are closed for in-person services. Technically, you could mail your SS-5 application with all required original documents to the local SSA office. But, I don't recommended it because of the risk of losing the original documents.

[Allaboutwaiting 2,503]

13 minutes ago, Xtrife said:

Is there a section that details the POE/Visa packet process? I hear the agent there is gonna be asking me questions and being rejected is still a possibility at that stage.

You hand the packet, the CBP agent verifies certain information -your name, type of visa, address, etc.- and stamps your passport. 

[JacobP 186]

50 minutes ago, Xtrife said:

I didnt request a SSN in my application because most places I read said it was not recommended as it can take longer and many times the SSN is not processed at all and you have to go the SSA route anyway. But I've only found out now that the SSA centers are closed

It's possible your local SSA office will set up a special appointment for you to submit an application in-person if you explain your circumstances (new immigrant, don't want to mail in pasport, etc). It sounds like a few members here have done it successfully. I would call whatever your local SSA office will be to see if it's possible.