Adrisn

Hi!
Wondering if anyone has been on a similar situation that might be able to shed some light.

I'm on the final stages of the Immigrant visa process (counting the days to interview!), and now that the end is near, we are trying to figure out and plan the practicalities of our move (to Denver, Colorado).

So here is the situation:

I'm a Portuguese citizen (living in London for 14 years) and my husband is USC; we have been married for 10 years, together for 12 and have 2 children together, who they are both USC as well.

My husband is being transferred to US with his company and will have to move to the US before my visa interview at the London Embassy, and I'll stay behind with the kids.

The original plan was for us (me, plus 2 kids) to fly out to Denver, shortly after my interview at the London Embassy (and got the passport back, obviously), but after reading all the threads on POE woes, I'm re thinking this strategy!

So my question is: has anyone gone through POE on IR-1 visa with USC children?

My kids are very young (4 years old and 18 months by the time we move), so my doubts are:

Firstly, as they are US citizens, would they even be allowed into "secondary inspection" with me, should I be required to take that extra step?

Or even, would they be allowed to be "escorted" out of immigration part of the airport after their entry as USC, and into arrivals where my husband will be waiting for them?

My husband and I are trying to plan out flights, when to give notice on our flat, when to give notice at my job, kids nursery etc, and their own POE (as USC) is one major factor we can't find any information about...

I would like to try to avoid at all costs to have to keep them with me for hours on end (worse case scenario!) in Secondary inspection, so we might just plan for my husband to fly back to London to pick them up and fly to US with them, and I'll close up shop in London and fly by myself a few days later...

Any similar experiences?
Suggestions?
Ideas?

BenK91

First of all, upon your arrival welcome to Denver! I've lived here for a year now and it's a great place. If you have any questions or need any help with anything please feel free to ask. Boiler and a few others are also located here in CO.

You won't be in Denver secondary for very long I'd imagine. I had to go through recently and I was in there less than 5 minutes - obviously may be different with young kids but they would certainly be allowed to wait in there with you. There was a selection of magazines on a table in there too which may provide them some sort of entertainment

Rete

You will have to go to secondary. It is not a matter of if but must. In secondary is where your paperwork that you will be carrying in the large envelope from the Consulate will be opened and the paperwork processed.

The children can, of course, come with you.

Will Denver be your first stop in the US or is there a connecting flight to Denver from somewhere else in the US, i.e. New York, Newark, etc. If so, you will be processed at that port of entry.

A suggestion is that perhaps you might want to fly from Ireland where inspection will occur before you board the plane. Someone who has done this route should be along to tell you about their experience.

Adrisn

Yes, Denver will be my first and only POE - will take a direct flight from London to Denver.

Thanks for the tip about flying through Ireland! Will explore that option as well!

Adrisn

Thanks!

Really looking forward to living in Denver - have been going there every year for the past 10 years and definitely one of my favorite places in the US!
(always a shock to arrive back to the London weather after a few days in gorgeous Colorado!)

Rete

A close friend just flew back Monday after a week's visit there with her son who is in college in Denver. She loves it and is seriously considering moving there when her divorce is final and the community property sold.

S Folinsky

I entered in Denver last October. Although I am a US citizen, as a matter of professional interest I observed the operation. I will say I was impressed - they are very helpful in guiding people to the right place.

rpjs

I think we've seen some people recently report that at JFK all their immigrant visa processing was done at the primary inspection and they didn't have to go to secondary. I don't think anyone has reported that for any other POEs though.

rpjs

No direct flights from Dublin or Shannon to Denver. However connecting flights would be a bit easier as your flight from Ireland would be treated as a domestic, so for instance if your onward connection leaves from the same terminal you wouldn't need to re-clear security.

BenK91

We're full... Traffic is already LA-esque and property prices are going crazy with everyone moving here to get stoned

Also worth noting that the staff at DIA are extremely helpful and if you have any questions they should assist you (unlike most CBP officers where you may just get an unhelpful grunt in response to a question!)

RainyDays

Follow up question for Rete:

I've flown via Dublin a couple of times on an ESTA and will be doing so again over Easter for a brief visit to my USC husband. It's so quick and painless there. Are you saying that you can go through the whole immigrant thing (I'll be moving as an immediate relative in August if all goes well) in Dublin? That would be awesome!

Noorah101

Yes.

Rene

RainyDays

Thanks for quick reply Rene. I'll definitely be doing that then!

SteveSweet

I entered using an IR1 at Dulles (IAD) in October last year (2017). No secondary. A few minutes working out which queue my USC spouse and I should be in, then a few minutes longer as it was the non-USC queue, but no hours of delay.

Good luck!