US Immigration - Steps every Non-resident Alien needs to Remember before entering the US

A) Immigration Basics to Remember:

1. For national security reasons, the U.S. government has strict visa issuance and admission policies.
2. Immigration and consular officers have broad authority to initiate lengthy background and security checks, conduct personal interviews with applicants, collect biometric information from foreign nationals, deny visas, and bar reentry. 
3. Stringent security checks are possible at each stage of travel; therefore, foreign nationals planning to travel outside the United States should be prepared for possible delay and inconvenience.
4. Upon application for entry to the United States, you should expect thorough screening procedures at airports and other ports of entry.
5. This could include a search of your electronic devices. If you are a citizen or national of a country of interest or concern to the United States you may be subject to additional levels of screening.
6. Before you travel, check your employer’s procedures for dealing with searches of company-owned phones, laptops and other devices. 
7. If detained at the port of entry, you are generally not entitled to have a lawyer present, but you should ask for permission to contact your immigration lawyer offices if the need arises. 
8. You should explain that contacting your immigration lawyer/consultant will allow you in turn to contact your employer/school if further information is required.

B) Biometric Data Collection system:

1. On entry, foreign nationals subject to Biometric Data Collection have their fingerprints captured with an inkless scanner and a digital photograph taken. 
2. The fingerprint and photographic data, along with information in travel documents, are used to verify the traveler’s identity and will be scanned against law enforcement and national security lookout lists. 
3. The Biometric Data Collection system collects biographic information and biographic identifiers from foreign nationals entering the United States, to determine whether an individual is eligible to enter the U.S. or should be prohibited from entering because of security risks such as past visa or criminal violations.
4. The Biometric Data Collection system is in operation at most U.S. air, sea and land ports, and at selected pre-flight inspection stations abroad.
5. Based on the verification results, the traveler will be admitted to the United States or asked to undergo further verification. If data in the verification process indicate possible national security or law enforcement concerns, the foreign national will be referred for additional screening.
6. Most foreign nationals are required to comply with entry and exit requirements of the Biometric Data Collection system. 
7. Biometric Data Collection is applicable to most foreign nationals between the ages of 14 and 79 who are traveling to or from the United States through a port at which Biometric Data Collection is in operation, including U.S. lawful permanent residents and most Canadian citizens. 
8. Failure to comply where required may result in a foreign national being deemed inadmissible to the United States, in violation of the terms of his or her status, or ineligible for future immigration benefits.
9. Several groups of travelers are exempt from the system; these include:
   (1) U.S. citizens;
   (2) travelers who are under the age of 14 or over the age of 79;
   (3) certain individuals who hold visas in categories for foreign diplomats, employees of international organizations, travelers in immediate transit through the United States, or NATO representatives and employees; and
   (4) individuals or classes of foreign nationals who have been exempted by the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of State or the Central Intelligence Agency.
   (5) Canadian citizens entering the United States for short business or tourism visits or in transit to another country, unless they have previously been deemed inadmissible to the United States and need a waiver of inadmissibility to enter.
   (6) Mexican citizens entering the United States using a Border Crossing Card when their stay is within 25 miles from the border (or 75 miles in the case of entry at an Arizona port) and the stay extends for no more than 30 days.
   (7) Certain Taiwanese diplomats and officials.

C) How to talk to the Immigration Officer:

1. You may also be subject to intensive questioning about your immigration status, travel history, the purpose of your visit, background, employment and other issues. 
2. They will ask you about your purpose for visiting the US. Your answer should be "Student" or for your job, etc whatever is applicable to you.
3. If they want to know the name of the school/employer, etc, tell them the name without any extraneous information.
4. Keep your answers simple, direct and to the best of your ability.  
5. If they want more information, they will ask additional questions.
6. If you do not understand a question, ask for clarification before answering. 
7. You must remain patient and answer all questions clearly. 
8. Omitting or misrepresenting information can result in denial of entry, removal from the United States or even possible criminal penalties. 
   
   

D) All Immigration+Travel Steps:

1. You will be given the Customs form to fill while in flight to USA (the I-94 is now electronic).
2. Your Flight will land in the International Terminal.
3. Take your cabin items and belongings & exit from the flight.
4. Walk to the immigration area
5. Look for the immigration queue that applies to your type of visa.
6. Wait in Queue for your turn.
   

E) Clearing immigration:

1. Have the Forms (Hand over the I-20, Customs Form and Passport).
2. CBP (Customs and Border Protection) officer at Port of Entry will ask you a few questions.
3. Your identity and the validity of your visa will be checked against law enforcement databases. 
4. You will be fingerprinted and photographed.
5. You may also be asked whether you are bringing in any food. Do not bring any food with you. Food you received on the plane should be left on the plane. 
6. Upon clearance, you will be issued an admission stamp in your passport that is annotated with date and class of admission and admitted-until date. You will also have an arrival record in Customs and Border Protection’s online system.
7. Immigration officer will write D/S (Duration of Stay) in your I-20 if you are on F1 visa, and stamp your customs form.
   

1. Then Proceed to baggage claim area and pick up your Checked-In Bags (all 3) (you may have to get a baggage cart).
2. Walk to customs officer and hand over the stamped customs form to CBP officer) (they may ask you if you are carrying any food items, tobacco or similar stuff) and they will let you go to next destination.
3. After you clear the Customs, you are officially in USA.
   
   
4. After landing in Port of Entry (if final destination is different from your port of entry)
   
   1. Check in you bags again to the next flight (final destination).
   2. Walk to your gate and board the flight to your final/next destination.
   3. Find the Check-in counter of the specific connecting airline, It should be located right after you come through the customs. If you can’t find the  counter, speak-up and ask for help.
   4. Go to their kiosk and check-in the bags for domestic flight (located in the same terminal as you walk out). 
   5. Sometimes, they will give new boarding pass (or you might already have the boarding pass).
   6. Gate number will be on the boarding pass. Also, check the Departure Monitor on the airport for right time and gate number. Gate number could change.
   7. Also, while checking-in the bags, ask the airline agent, which terminal you have to go to catch the connecting flight. 
   8. You may have to go to another/next  terminal/gate to board your next/last domestic connecting flight (could take 10 to 30 minutes of walk or air train or shuttle. 
   9. If you are getting late to the connecting flight and there can be long queue in security area. In such case, request the TSA security agent to get you in front of the queue.
   10. Show your passport and boarding pass at security area, you may have to go through security check again to enter the domestic terminal.
       
       
5. If in case your flight landing to the US is delayed, follow these steps -
   
   1. Clear the Immigration and Customs as mentioned above.
   2. Check in your bags to next destination.
   3. Get the information about your next flight (if flight is different from your previous schedule).
   4. Find a phone to call and inform the people who is going to pick you from the airport.
      
      
6. If Port of Entry is your final destination, then walk out and wait for your pickup.
7. Greet the person with smile who comes to pick you from airport, (No worries if you have to take a cab).
8. Help them to load suitcase in the car.
9. Enjoy the fresh air and smell of this new place.
10. Let them take you to your place of stay, then inquire how can you call back home. Now, Call Home.
    
    
    
    NOTE: For more information see the US Customs Service web site, which includes the brochure Customs Guidelines for Visitors to the United States. Immigration laws can also be found at the US State Department web site.

References -
http://www.happyschools.com/10-things-to-do-right-after-you-land-in-us-airport/
http://www.happyschools.com/at-port-of-entry-in-usa/
http://www.happyschools.com/flight-lands-in-usa-port-of-entry/
http://www.happyschools.com/port-of-entry-to-connecting-flight-in-usa/
http://www.edupass.org/travel/customs.phtml