Travelling to American tomorrow with my wife. PLEASE HELP

[jebckr]

My wife and I live in South Korea. She, a Korean citizen and me a US citizen. We are legally married in both Korea and the US and we have begun the greencard process (filed I-130 and approved, we will set up interview date later).

My question (which could not be answered with confidence by the Embassy when we called) is will a tourist Visa be safe for her to use for our 6 week trip. In the past, she is always asked what her intentions are, to which she's always replied visiting friends. Now, I guess our marriage and pending greencard can be easily found. What does she need to say/do when she goes through customs? Should she just explain that she's married and in the process of getting a greencard and give our case ID?

Any info would be much appreciated. And I really hope for objective answers because I don't want to leave anything to chance.

[rayb]

You run a big risk of your wife being denied entry at the Port of Entry when she reports her marriage and pending immigrant petition.

--Ray B

My wife and I live in South Korea. She, a Korean citizen and me a US citizen. We are legally married in both Korea and the US and we have begun the greencard process (filed I-130 and approved, we will set up interview date later).

My question (which could not be answered with confidence by the Embassy when we called) is will a tourist Visa be safe for her to use for our 6 week trip. In the past, she is always asked what her intentions are, to which she's always replied visiting friends. Now, I guess our marriage and pending greencard can be easily found. What does she need to say/do when she goes through customs? Should she just explain that she's married and in the process of getting a greencard and give our case ID?

Any info would be much appreciated. And I really hope for objective answers because I don't want to leave anything to chance.

[jebckr]

What should she say?

So, do they have information showing our marriage or pending immigration? If not, it certainly seems easier to fabricate a different reason for entry. If this is considered illegal and/or inappropriate for this site, just remove the post.

[rayb]

Hypotheticaly speaking, your gal can lie to the Immigration Officer at the Port of Entry, but they are trained to detect fabrications during interviews. If suspicious, his next step would be to search her purse and pockets and call any phone numbers she has. If found to have lied, she will be barred entry andm ay receive a 10-year bar from reentry. She could also be charged with "lying to a Federal officer" and/or immigration fraud.

The risk to you is minimal (for any legal problems). But the risk to your wife could be quite serious. Do you want to risk her future by a minor fabrication when entering the U.S.?

--Ray B

So, do they have information showing our marriage or pending immigration? If not, it certainly seems easier to fabricate a different reason for entry. If this is considered illegal and/or inappropriate for this site, just remove the post.

[jebckr]

Travelling to American tomorrow with my wife. PLEASE HELP

Well, our flight is tomorrow. We've sunk a lot of money into wedding plans, honeymoon reservations and the plane tickets. Canceling at this point is not an option. So, under the assumption that we will travel tomorrow, what would you recommend as the best course of action. Hypothetically.

[rayb]

Jebckr,

Please advise your wife to not lie to any direct questions, and to not volunteer information unless asked.

If the subject of marriage or eventual immigration comes up, she should answer honestly.

--Ray B

Well, our flight is tomorrow. We've sunk a lot of money into wedding plans, honeymoon reservations and the plane tickets. Canceling at this point is not an option. So, under the assumption that we will travel tomorrow, what would you recommend as the best course of action. Hypothetically.

[jebckr]

Travelling to American tomorrow with my wife. PLEASE HELP

Thank you. That is helpful. Out of curiosity, what happens if she acts likes he can't speak English? I assume major airports have translators, but do they really have the ability to conduct an interview in any language?

[rayb]

If a translator is not available, they may expect someone accompanying her to translate.

--Ray B

Thank you. That is helpful. Out of curiosity, what happens if she acts likes he can't speak English? I assume major airports have translators, but do they really have the ability to conduct an interview in any language?