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I currently have the situation, that someone is visiting me in the US from Germany. But this person cannot speak english at all.

How and what should one do to get the person through the CBP as smoothly as possible?

EDIT:

The Event happened and my friend got through CBP very smoothly. I wrote her a letter stating she is visiting me, for how long, my contact information and when she is leaving. The CBP Officer was fine with it stamped the papers and that's it. She came in at JFK Terminal 4.

Jay Claiton
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1 Answers1

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Nothing to worry about, usually CBP staff will not need to speak a lot with the passengers (especially ones from EU), if they do, they will ask simple stuff like "Ticket" or something like this. Anyway, in case the CBP agent wants to speak with the passenger and the language was a barrier, they usually will do one of the following:

  • Find a CBP agent who speaks the language.
  • Or, some major airlines usually have a representative there to help in this particular issue.
  • Or, as a last resort, they will ask a fellow passenger who speaks both languages to help.

I can't find an official reference to confirm this, but I know it for a fact out of personal experience as I work for an airline and I have been to the US many times.

Update: I have found a reference that confirms CBP might ask other passengers to help.

Nean Der Thal
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