is it necessary to fill in immigration arrival/departure card while on Transit?

[noe]

Hi there

My parents will be transiting in Los Angeles for 2 hours. They have ESTA visas. Would they need to complete an immigration form on arrival/departure from Los Angeles while on transit?

if so, anyone knows where can I get hold of the spanish version of this so I can make it available to them. They do not speak English and are very anxious about not understanding the process.

Cheers

[mickey_mouse]

ESTA is not a visa. Is an authorization to travel - if your parents belong to one of the VWP countries, they don't need a visa, just the ESTA authorization. And if they have an ESTA authorization, they don't need to fill an I-94W form.

The implementation of the ESTA program allows the Department of Homeland Security to eliminate the requirement that Visa Waiver Program (VWP) travelers complete an I-94W prior to being admitted to the United States. Customs and Border Protections (CBP) has transitioned to paperless processing for VWP travelers arriving by air or sea who have obtained a travel authorization. Traveler's entering the U.S. under the VWP who have an approved ESTA do not need to fill out the I-94W form nor be given a green I-94W departure card in their passport. Note: The paper form CBP I-94W will continue to be required for VWP travelers arriving without an approved ESTA.

Make them print and carry with them a copy of the ESTA authorization, if that would make you feel better.

[noe]

Thank you for prompt response!