shumway1756
Difficulty:  | Review Topic: Port of Entry Review
My wife and I landed in Atlanta around 8:30pm. I am the USC and my wife is the beneficiary entering on a CR1. We both went into the non-citizens line together.
We were told that customs declaration forms are no longer required (that was a nice surprise, one less step to worry about). We waited for our turn, then approached the officer. This particular officer must have had pickles for breakfast because he was as apathetic and unwelcoming as they come. I was ashamed that this was my wife's first interaction on American soil.
We gave the officer our passports. He looks at them both, and asks my wife "where is your visa?" We kindly answer that it's on page 3 of her passport. He looks at it, and then says "No, where is your visa?" We just looked at him confused. Then he says "Your visa packet, the sealed envelope, where is it?" So I informed him that our case was online processing and that the embassy doesn't give sealed envelopes for these cases since all files are in the computer. He seemed confused by this (I mean, really? This is your job all day long and you're telling me you've never seen this before?).
He then takes my wife's fingerprints and picture. He stares at his computer, types slowly with 1 finger for a minute or two, then stands up and walks out of the booth. We were confused. Do we follow him? Do we stay where we are? We received no instructions. Then, as if we were stupid, he waves at us to follow him.
We then go to the tripod area. At this point things get better, as we're no longer dealing with Mr. Grumpy Pants. The rest of the officers were very nice and friendly and fully explained everything to us. We waited for about 10-15 minutes before we were called up. The officer explained to us what the CR1 meant, the requirement to remove conditions, etc. He then had both of us sign a piece of paper acknowledging that we understood these requirements. He showed us the stamp that he put in my wife's passport, explained to us that it was just as legally valid as any green card for a period of 1 year. We were then free to go.
Overall I wouldn't say it was difficult, it was just unpleasant. I was amused and disappointed that I had to teach a CBP officer about electronic processing.
The officers never once asked any questions of us regarding our relationship, what we were bringing into the country, etc.
(updated on September 24, 2018)
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Port of Entry Member Review #16718
Entry Date: 2018-09-19