Originally Posted by
bniu
I read up a bit on the US Embassy website that a US Visa is valid ONLY for travel to the US Port of Entry (in this case, SFO), and she'll have to petition for entrance there at immigration. What are the chances the officer would turn her back? Since she's on a non-immigrant visa, is she only entitled to one entry into the USA? I so far only have booked her a one way award ticket as I have no clue as to how long she'll be allowed to stay (we're hoping for 6 months).
The one-way might actually be an issue. She may be required to show proof of onward (or return) travel. She may also not (I never have.) She'll need to be able to show that she can support herself and has a place to stay. She will be required to enter that last bit on the I-94 form when entering the country.
In terms of how likely it is she'll be denied entry, I'd say not very. This is mostly an issue for those people where the immigration officer is not sure the immigrant is not coming to the US to work. For an 80 year-old woman, I'd say chances are slim.
Another question, since she doesn't speak any english and also doesn't read chinese at all, she'd have to follow my dad closely. My dad is a US Citizen though, so should they both stand at the non-citizen line or is she entitled to go with him into the citizen line?
I believe he can accompany her to the non-citizen line. They can equally process citizens, it will just take longer. Note, though, that with the forms filled out correctly in advance, the immigration officer can usually be passed with just a 'hello', 'pleasure' (or business) and 'goodbye'. Not much speech is required.