Getting through American immigration - a guide to keeping calm
There is an art to getting through Immigration and into the US whether you fly in or come in by land. How would I describe the people that police this area? Civil Servants who have a job to do, with precise rules which they enforce to the letter. Customer service - comes a distant second. Remember, Immigration hold the power to decide whether they let you in or out, or whether to accept your minor mistake on your paperwork - or to send you to the back of the queue because you don't look clean! Unlike those shown on Airport, the American version is full of bureaucracy. Bear this in mind, as you read this.....
Before Immigration will let you in - you need to have completed 1 immigration card (coloured green)PER person. A person includes Granny, and all children - however small. If flying, any Airline worth their salt will encourage you to complete these on the plane before you land. Do exactly as they ask if you want to save time and hassle later.
Leave any fruit and meat products from the UK on the plane -
you cannot take bananas through Customs - however silly it seems. This is as has been pointed out in a recent commentary - to guard against the fruit fly. You also have to declare if you have recently been on a farm - in case you take something nasty into the country (foot and mouth ???!!!). To accompany these regulations, you have to fill out a white form with blue writing on it!
Once in the Immigration Hall, you might have a little dog sniffing in your luggage - for fruit and not drugs. When we flew into LA recently, we were fascinated by a beagle who was doing this job. He/she was adored by their handler and fed on a near-constant supply of dog treats!!
(Enough of this doggy stuff - back to the bureaucracy)To add more insult to injury, the two forms have to be filled in - in ink (not pencil)and if you make a mistake - you have to start over again. There are instructions in the Virgin Atlantic flightguide for all destinations it goes too. Those for the US are twice as long as any other country!
When you get to Immigration, stand in line until called. Do not cross the yellow line (on the ground). Immigration staff vary from helpful diligent people to a load of 'jobs worth' bureaucrats who will make you suffer if you break their rules. Be polite, honest, helpful when you present all paperwork and you should sail through.
1 final tip. When we went to the States for the first time in 1994. I filled out a form which asked how many people were travelling WITH me. I wrote 1 (my Wife). Immigration grilled me and said I should have written 2 (total party size)- but that's not what they asked for. If you get it wrong, apologise and don't let them spoil your holiday. Remember who hold the aces!
That covers flying in.
Now coming to the US overland such as from Mexico or Canada is a different matter. Whereas when you flew in your Immigration tax was included in your fare, you have to pay it seperately if walking across the border. This is where the fun starts. It costs about $25 per person (1998 prices).
Do US Immigration take credit cards - NO. Do they take any other currency than US bills e.g. Canadian dollars - NO. Is there a Bureau de Change in the building - NO (even at Niagara Falls). Travellers cheques - probably not. Immigration are there to allow nice desirable people into the country and keep undesirables out.
You pay them in cash (US Dollars) - pure and simple. Backward and unhelpful - the people may not be - but the system is. But do you want to get into the States ? Well keep calm and ask if there is a cash machine nearby which dispenses US dollars. I had just come from Canada and therefore had loads of Canadian bills - no use at all.
And funny there were no signs when we approached the border to warn me of this opportunity. As I said before - they are not the Tourist Board !!!
Airport immigration experiences
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* New York (JFK) - bloodyminded
* Charlotte (NC) - Fine
* Orlando (FL) - friendly(ish)
* Los Angeles - Fine (but we didn't get the dragon in the adjoining booth!)
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