Questioned at port of entry regarding length of stay

[sonia1234]

My dad is currently visiting us and he had this return ticket for 6 months hence. He is retired and my mom (working) and brother are back in India. The immigration officer asked how long he would like to stay he said 6 months and showed his return ticket. The IO questioned the intent of his 6 months stay. They called me and asked me why my father was visting and if he intended to take up any job. I told the visa officer that we had no such intention and that he just wanted to spend sometime with me since we were moving to a new house etc. The IO grilled me for sometime about my visa status and why he wants to stay that long, before she hung up and finally they gave I-94 valid for 6 months. Their 5 year B1 visa is expiring next year and i would like them to apply for extension and i don't want this incident to jeopardize their chances of getting a new visa.

Is is better that my dad changes his return date and goes back after 2-3 months? Also would they keep a record of this incident and would he have trouble in future entries?

Also, my mother is coming 5 months later to be with me for 4 months and would they have records to relate this incident with my father during her POE?

Any advice/experience is appreciated.

[orion]

I think you meant you wanted to apply for a new B2 visa and not extension of current stay. Both - staying for a full 6 months or applying for an extension of stay hurts future visa application unless there is a fair time gap. Everything gets recorded for ever. Unless you have a genuine reason for a six months visit, a strct PoE officer may call you again for your mom or future entries. People who come for visiting for even for a month with return tickets usually get a six months I-94. Intention to stay 6 months and inability to justify it is hurting your case.

[bronsie2000]

I too went through a similar incident 2 months back. Me & my wife were issued 10 yr visas, but I travelled alone. I had a return ticket for 4 months. I asked for 5 week stay at POE as a friend advised me to do so. He said they usually give 6 months stay for first visit. My intent was to stay for 4 months if given a 6 months stay. But the IO's literally grilled me for 3 hrs, severly checked my baggage as I missed my connecting flight too. They even called my brother(GC holder) & asked him whether I intend to work, why my wife did'nt come along etc etc. Atlast they gave me only 5 weeks stay with new connecting flight & also reschduled my return ticket to 5 weeks. At that moment I felt I ran out of luck because usually people are given 6 month stay during first visit.
Even though I did'nt extend my stay & left before the I-94 expiry. Now I wonder what are my chances of getting full 6 months stay next time & what needs to be done to get it.

Your adivice is highly appreciated.