Originally Posted by
schrodingerdog
Hi all,
I have some friends that are planning a visit to US. They all speak little to no english (little means they are able to produce some random words like beer, car, toilet but not able to make a phrase at all). Travelling under an EU passport with a valid ESTA.
How should they deal with border and customs officials? Say to them 'Hi, I speak no english, I am a toursit' in case they ask something? Give to them a paper written in english (by me) explaining the situation?
Any advice welcome (and no, they would no learn enough english for the time they are planning to go
)
Write a note in English and send it to your friends and have them print it out. If the CBP process doesn't go smoothly, tell your friends to give the officer that note with your contact details. Where in the US are they arriving and what languages do they speak? Major airports like IAD, JFK/EWR, ORD, LAX and MIA should have officers who speak Spanish, French and German.