Non English speaker parent Arriving to the United States

[whateverd 15]

Hello everybody,

 

My mom got her IR5 visa approved and she is landing in Chicago next month. She does not speak English very well and she is traveling alone. Does anybody know what do they ask or do after arrival? Since the application was electronically processed she does not have sealed package.

 

if you went through this, how long usually it takes? What is the process? Again her visa is IR5 immigration visa.

 

 

thank you

 

much appreciated 

[Mike E 11,739]

If CBP needs translation it will try to find a translator.

 

What language?

 

Will you be at ORD to pick her up?

 

 

[top_secret 2,418]

I would guess Chicago has a very diverse selection of foreign language speakers both in CBP ranks and others they could ask for language assistance. I'm thinking unless it was some very obscure language you wouldn't have much trouble.

 

At LAX I have often heard PA announcements asking if a specific airline could send a foreign language speaking employee to assist one of their passengers at an immigration station so I assume that is also something CBP commonly tries.   

[Adventine 3,196]

You could also prepare a sheet of paper with short phrases in both English and her native language, so that she can point to the relevant phrase when she needs to.

 

Info could include things like:

"Sorry, I do not speak English. I speak X language."

"I need a translator, please"

"My son/daughter's contact info is XXX"

[whateverd 15]

Language is Arabic. And yes I will be outside to pick her up. 
 

Does anybody know what is the procedure for IR5 upon arrival? Do they take fingerprints for example? Do they ask for specific paperwork? What documents to carry with her?

[Mike E 11,739]

3 hours ago, whateverd said:

Language is Arabic

100 percent chance there will be an Arabic translator at ORD. 

 

3 hours ago, whateverd said:

Does anybody know what is the procedure for IR5 upon arrival?

CBPO stamps her visa and she becomes an LPR

3 hours ago, whateverd said:

 

Do they take fingerprints for example?

yes. And photo. Every alien pretty much.

3 hours ago, whateverd said:

 

Do they ask for specific paperwork?

everything embassy gave her

3 hours ago, whateverd said:

What documents to carry with her?

A sheet of paper that has her address in the U.S.  

[Chancy 6,241]

*** Moved from Bringing Family of USC forum to Moving to the US forum, where similar topics about POE procedures are discussed ***

 

[JeanneAdil 6,498]

we came thru Chicago

when Adil arrived they asked him in Arabic if he needed  to use Arabic

it will be formal Arabic not berber or one of the many dialects but she should be able to understand

and if she has your cell #,  the CBP can contact u 

 

elhamdo lellah  ours is Darija dialect

 

she''ll be  good /tell her to not be nervous /CPB should treat her with utmost care

[whateverd 15]

22 minutes ago, JeanneAdil said:

we came thru Chicago

when Adil arrived they asked him in Arabic if he needed  to use Arabic

it will be formal Arabic not berber or one of the many dialects but she should be able to understand

and if she has your cell #,  the CBP can contact u 

 

elhamdo lellah  ours is Darija dialect

 

she''ll be  good /tell her to not be nervous /CPB should treat her with utmost care

Thank you! How long did it take to finish the process in Chicago?

[JeanneAdil 6,498]

5 hours ago, whateverd said:

Thank you! How long did it take to finish the process in Chicago?

he landed after 9pm so not during heavy business hours and i waited an hour for him after plane landed

most of the wait was for lugguage to come on carasoul

I had landed in Chicago month ahead of him

i  think chicago is easy

Dont be afraid to ask for wheelchair assistance when purchase the ticket/  we did that for Adil's mom and it helps