What questions are asked at customs? Best Airport to go through customs?

[thedelight21 0]

We don’t have direct flights to or from El Salvador where my husband had his interview and IR1 visa issued.  What questions do they ask? What is the best airport to go through customs? We live in the southeast of the US.  

[canadian_wife 1,826]

You should look at the tab at the top that says "office reviews and info" and look for POE reviews.

Good luck 

[thedelight21 0]

1 hour ago, canadian_wife said:

You should look at the tab at the top that says "office reviews and info" and look for POE reviews.

Good luck 

Thanks..I checked it out but most aren’t recent or don’t have a lot of info.

[JeanneAdil 6,606]

Ft Laudrerdale is easier than Miami

[carmel34 3,650]

7 hours ago, thedelight21 said:

What is the best airport to go through customs? We live in the southeast of the US.

Cheapest airfare.  Best schedule.  Most convenient.  Shortest overall travel time.  I wouldn't worry about "best airport," because the experience at POE is very dependent on the CBP officer, and you have no control over that, or the mood they are in.  Most spousal visa holders have no issues entering the US.  Plan the travel that works best for you, with at least 3 hours of layover at the US POE airport.  Good luck and have a safe trip!

[pushbrk 13,035]

1 hour ago, carmel34 said:

Cheapest airfare.  Best schedule.  Most convenient.  Shortest overall travel time.  I wouldn't worry about "best airport," because the experience at POE is very dependent on the CBP officer, and you have no control over that, or the mood they are in.  Most spousal visa holders have no issues entering the US.  Plan the travel that works best for you, with at least 3 hours of layover at the US POE airport.  Good luck and have a safe trip!

Correct answer.  If you have an issue that would concern CBP, you will not avoid it by choosing a different airport.  The "customs" part is about what you are carrying in your luggage.  Follow the guidelines.  The Boarder Patrol part is about checking your passport and visa.  It's so rare for there to be any issues or tough questions to immigrant visa holders, it's really a non-issue.

[thedelight21 0]

58 minutes ago, pushbrk said:

Correct answer.  If you have an issue that would concern CBP, you will not avoid it by choosing a different airport.  The "customs" part is about what you are carrying in your luggage.  Follow the guidelines.  The Boarder Patrol part is about checking your passport and visa.  It's so rare for there to be any issues or tough questions to immigrant visa holders, it's really a non-issue.

There’s some airports that have shorter lines than others.

[pushbrk 13,035]

11 minutes ago, thedelight21 said:

There’s some airports that have shorter lines than others.

Yes.  How much extra airfare would you pay, and how much extra travel time would you endure to see those (probably) shorter lines?  

[Chancy 6,243]

*** Moved from IR1/CR1 Process & Procedures to Moving to the US forum -- topic is about POE procedures after the visa process ***

 

[arken 4,197]

21 hours ago, pushbrk said:

Yes.  How much extra airfare would you pay, and how much extra travel time would you endure to see those (probably) shorter lines?  

Agreed.

22 hours ago, thedelight21 said:

There’s some airports that have shorter lines than others.

 

In addition, one may step out of the same airpot in 30 mins or in 2 hours depending upon the plane size and seat location, number and size of the planes landing very close to each other and such. It's pointless to look for airports with sole intent to reduce the immigration wait time.

[TBoneTX 45,827]

Several variables apply.

 

For example, if your husband were to fly on Avianca (flight possibly operated by TACA) from San Salvador to Houston IAH, be aware that:

 

-- Most morning international arrivals land at IAH (Terminal E) before sunrise, simultaneously or consecutively.

 

-- Because of the above (long lines and waits in secondary inspection), it's crucial that your husband visit the first airport restroom that he comes upon after deplaning, even if he thinks that he doesn't really have to.  This is no laughing matter.

 

-- The CBP agents there are highly experienced with all visa types, including IR-1, but are often grumpy (at minimum).  Whatever is told to them, do not LIE.

 

-- Your husband would have many choices of connecting flights from IAH.  However, if he had to claim or claim/recheck his baggage, there may be delays because of the volume of flight arrivals, possible extra screening or hand-searching of baggage depending on CBP protocols that day, and the probable need to change airport terminals for the connecting flight.  His own flight might be delayed in arriving because of weather or mechanical issues.  Accordingly, ample layover time should be built in to his itinerary.

 

-- Finding Spanish-speaking help in any IAH terminal, from staff or fellow travelers, would be no problem.

 

The above are some specific considerations to supplement the excellent general advice given earlier by others.  Other airports would have their own benefits and drawbacks.  Let us know how you decide to proceed, and the outcome.

Edited March 31, 2022 by TBoneTX

[thedelight21 0]

7 hours ago, TBoneTX said:

Several variables apply.

 

For example, if your husband were to fly on Avianca (flight possibly operated by TACA) from San Salvador to Houston IAH, be aware that:

 

-- Most morning international arrivals land at IAH (Terminal E) before sunrise, simultaneously or consecutively.

 

-- Because of the above (long lines and waits in secondary inspection), it's crucial that your husband visit the first airport restroom that he comes upon after deplaning, even if he thinks that he doesn't really have to.  This is no laughing matter.

 

-- The CBP agents there are highly experienced with all visa types, including IR-1, but are often grumpy (at minimum).  Whatever is told to them, do not LIE.

 

-- Your husband would have many choices of connecting flights from IAH.  However, if he had to claim or claim/recheck his baggage, there may be delays because of the volume of flight arrivals, possible extra screening or hand-searching of baggage depending on CBP protocols that day, and the probable need to change airport terminals for the connecting flight.  His own flight might be delayed in arriving because of weather or mechanical issues.  Accordingly, ample layover time should be built in to his itinerary.

 

-- Finding Spanish-speaking help in any IAH terminal, from staff or fellow travelers, would be no problem.

 

The above are some specific considerations to supplement the excellent general advice given earlier by others.  Other airports would have their own benefits and drawbacks.  Let us know how you decide to proceed, and the outcome.

Thanks..We decided to go with Atlanta since it was convenient. It’s a 4 and a half hour layover there, so I’m not sure if that’s fine or if he will need more time.  He already knows English since he has DACA and went to school in the US, 

[TBoneTX 45,827]

Very good.  The layover seems quite ample.  Great that he's bilingual.  Good luck.