Originally Posted by
SJC AA
It really depends, but generally I wouldn't expect such bad lines at immigration around 8pm.
As for the morning flight suggestion, AA101 today arrived on time, 1:10pm, to a completely empty immigration hall -- no lines at any station.
I flew the LHR-JFK AA flight that arrives at ~8:00PM in 2012, and the immigration hall at T-8 was also empty.
Not only that, but U.S. Immigration was quick to move people, and we had the friendliest U.S. Immigration which we've experienced, so it's very unfair to stereotype New Yorkers as unfriendly.
Of course, YMMV [regarding the lack of lines at JFK T-8].