simonschus
Difficulty:  | Review Topic: Port of Entry Review
I arrived from Madrid at around 2.00pm local time, a little earlier than scheduled. We appeared to miss the rush of flights had landed about an hour previous and were due to land 30 minutes later.
In the past, I have used the Global Entry line at the airport so I was expecting a very long line for visas. As such, I rushed off the plane and somehow found myself being right at the front of the line for visa entries behind another individual. The line behind me did not seem too long and progressed quickly too.
When I arrived at the desk, I was completed in about 4 minutes and my I-94 Arrival record was updated immediately. I checked the the record when in the baggage hall! The check of the Customs Declaration was also very quick although with a slightly longer queue that at the immigration border check. I waited about 2 to 3 minutes in a queue as it slowly progressed.
The issue of concern was that the CBP officer was quite formal. I am aware that they have an important job but I felt that the formality came off as quite rude. I have been greater by several CBP officers on monthly visits to the US over the past three years. I have never had a CBP office be so unwelcoming. The CBP officer simply asked for my documents, ripped open the package, and tossed the photograph of my fiancee at me. I would have preferred that the photo was politely handed to me. I was not welcome to the country and was simply told to be married within 90 days. I asked a question about when my I94 Arrival record would be updated or if he needed to provide me a copy; the CBP officer told me that I would have to answer that question myself and ushered me away.
Overall, it was an efficient process but was not a welcoming experience which is a shame as I have been through Boston a number of times under the VWP line as well as the Global Entry line. I have never felt as unwelcome as I had before. It certainly didn't feel overly courteous.
(updated on June 9, 2016)
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Port of Entry Member Review #16143
Entry Date: 2016-05-28