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Answers to some important questions about entering USA
Will anything I have been taken away from me?
No, none of your belongings will be taken away from you when you enter United States unless you have drugs, or some other illegal substance.
If you have prescription medication, it would be good to have a doctor’s prescription with you to make sure they allow you to keep it.
Will I be accepted when I arrive for my appointment?
If you have any criminal record, or have ever been expelled from United States, you may be rejected.
What will my appointment be like?
What if I’m traveling with someone who is less than 18 years old who isn’t my child?
You can expect this person to be separated from you and put in a detention center for minors. He will stay there until the government can verify that he is not trafficked, and they will then reunite him with his nearest relative in the United States, or else send him back to his parents in his country.
Before separation, give the minor with you a paper with a US phone number and the full name of the closest relative of the child. This will allow the US government to expedite contact with the child’s relatives.
Be sure that the person whose phone number you give to the minor knows all the information about him, and is ready to answer any questions the US government may ask.
Where might I find information on a minor who has been taken away from me?
Go to https://locator.ice.gov/odls/#/search. Enter the information requested, and if already processed, there should be information listed. However, as noted above, expect officials to reunite detained minors with next of kin.
Info for the McAllen (Hidalgo-Reynosa) border
After I get across the border, where do I go?
Immediately across the border, you’ll see small, white buses. They charge $5 per person and will take you to the Catholic Charities, which is the main homeless shelter in McAllen. This is within walking distance of the only bus station. It is also close to the airport.
What to know before you fly.
If you have a suitcase or large backpack that you need to check in, you will need a credit card in order to pay for it. If you do not have a credit card with you, you will not be able to take any large piece of luggage. It’s best to pay for your luggage online when you buy your ticket. Then you won’t need to pay for it in the airport.
(American Airlines, does not charge for a check-in for future citizens. This may change though, so call them to be sure.)
Here is the maximum size of bags that you are allowed to carry on the plane with you: 22 inches (56cm) long, 14 inches (35.5cm) wide, 9 inches (23cm) high, including handles and wheels.
Anything larger than these must be checked in, for which you normally need to pay extra. For this luggage, the overall dimensions (length + width + height) must not be more than 157 cm, and they must not weigh more than 50 pounds (22.68 kg.)
This is general information. You can check with your airlines to be sure, because sometimes rules are different between airlines.
Information about the airport
The airport is closed from midnight till 4:00 in the morning. If you are staying there, you will be required to leave at midnight.
The food in the airport is very limited and expensive, but you can go across the street and walk around La Plaza mall. On the other side of the mall you’ll find a food court with lots of good options.
You can take food with you on the airplane, but if you have drinks, they will be taken away at the security checkpoint. See the information below.
If you take any liquid or gel with you on the airplane, it must be in a bottle that is less than 3.5 ounces. (100ml.) You can have as many bottles as you like, they just cannot be bigger than that. Also, you can take any size empty bottles and then fill them up after you go through the security checkpoint. There will be a water fountain on the other side.
If you have any other questions, contact us in the WhatsApp chat box below.
Welcome to the United States of America and may God bless you in this new phase of your life!
Matthew 6:33: But seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
