Worried about possible U.S Customs & Immigration interrogation

[The Doctor]

Hey all I could really use your help

As most of you know in just over 3 weeks now I'm heading off to Alabama with a 3 hour layover in Dallas and due to the fact I have Aspergers Syndrome I am getting a little worried about going through customs from all the horror stories I've heard here and possibly getting interrogated just for going over to see my SO cause I'm worried they could hold me for so long that I miss my connection even though I'm only going for 8 days

If you guys could give me any help and advice I would be so thankful

[CanadianGirl]

A 3 hour layover is a pretty good chunk of time. As long as you have your return ticket printed, plus something to demonstrate your ties to the UK (mentioning your job or school), they really have no reason at all to bother you.

[MissButterfly]

Only advice you need: Be honest! They will ask you questions about the purpose of your visit, maybe a few about your relationship. In general, customs are always so busy that they want to get everyone through as fast as possible. They will not keep you for a long time outside of the lines if there isn't anything highly suspicious about you. If you have a return ticket, you will generally have no trouble. I personally have never experienced anything bad!

[80anthea]

You'll be fine, as the others have said be honest and have details of your return flight. I've been to the states a few times now and never had a problem. Have you done your ESTA online?

[The Doctor]

Thank you all so basically all I'll need is my e ticket receipt, photos of the 2 of us and tell them I have to get back to work the following week?

And yes I have done my ESTA already

[bubblehits]

I was so scared about being stopped too. My cousin had only just come back from the US and said she got held for 2 hours.

Well, that definitely didn't happen to me. My layover was at JFK, I spent about 15/20 minutes in the line and spent all of 2 minutes talking to the officer. He asked why I was there, how long I was staying, what did I plan on doing. I told him I was visiting my boyfriend, I was staying for 4 weeks, and that it is our first visit.

After telling me I was a brave girl he stamped my passport, wished me luck and off I went. Didn't have any trouble what so ever.

And as a bonus when I got onto my connecting flight and to my final destination I didn't have to go through immigration or customs again. Woo.

Good luck. All the best. xx

[p_b82]

Having flown to numerous US airports for work and pleasure, I echo what other people have said.

You don't actually need any evidence you are going back - so don't present them to the officer, he will just want your customs form and your passport.

If you are worried tell him you are visiting a friend rather than girlfriend - I would often answer the 'how are you staying' question with X days, would be longer but have to go back to work, if it was a tourist trip. My business ones are never longer than a week typically..

3 hours should be plenty, the US immigration system is getting faster I think.

customs needs to be done once you have collected your bag, so don't stash the form away too safely as you will need to hand it over... made that mistake before when I first went over!