any experiences with immigration in atlanta?

[JeffA]

We're trying to decide where Luisa should enter the US... on Cali Vet's advice, I found out that she can enter direct from Bogota to Atlanta. I'm unsure of difficulties in Atlanta, but just the size of the lines in Miami might be intimidating, let alone any questions or the third degree...
anyone have info? f you odn't want to start a thread, just email me in private... thanks

[Richard]

... in response to any experiences with immigration in atla..., posted by JeffA on Nov 27, 2001

I beileve that Avianca flies non stop Bogota to JFK.  There are some reports on using JFK as a port of entry on the Russian Board.  There have been some reports of fiance's clearing customs quickly, but some have reported longer waits (1.5 to 2 hours).

What have you heard about Miami other than long lines?  I have an option to bring my fiance' into Miami from Ukraine and am interested in hearing about Miami.  On the Russian board, nobody seems to have used Miami.

[Georgina]

... in response to any experiences with immigration in atla..., posted by JeffA on Nov 27, 2001

I don't know how useful this can be since it happened two years ago but I used Atlanta as my port of Entry. I got there one day before new year and the lines weren't long but it took like one hour to get through immigration. They were issuing the Authorization to Work at the time but I think they are not doing that anymore besides of getting the sealed envelope they gave me in the Peruvian Embassy after my interview and that I had to carry with me like a treasure. I think that since they are not longer issuing EAD at the Port of Entry (it is my understanding) she would have to wait less.

She has to make a line then they will instruct her to go to an office where she would give them her sealed envelope.

The officials there were nice. I don't know if it really works but the three times I have gone to immigration I have preferred to treat with a male official than a female and in the three cases they were nice. In this case, I wouldn't care to much about it because she has a fiancee visa and she doesn't have to prove she is not gonna stay in the USA.

That is my experience.