IAH Immigration -- twice?
Jul 6, 2010, 2:05 pm
#1
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IAH Immigration -- twice?
Anyone else gone through immigration twice at IAH? Deplaned flt 59 today and DHS had setup an immigration checkpoint in the exit hall from the plane.
Everyone queued up in three lines, had passports & paperwork checked, asked questions about origin/dest, purpose of visit, etc, and the officer wrote the number on the customs form.
Walked to the immigration area, lined up again, identical thing. I asked why we had to do it twice today and the second guy politely said he couldn't tell me. Training? any ideas?
In an ironic coincidence, this was my first time (after clearing immigration twice) to go through the "One Stop" door and skip customs, since I didn't have checked bags.
Everyone queued up in three lines, had passports & paperwork checked, asked questions about origin/dest, purpose of visit, etc, and the officer wrote the number on the customs form.
Walked to the immigration area, lined up again, identical thing. I asked why we had to do it twice today and the second guy politely said he couldn't tell me. Training? any ideas?
In an ironic coincidence, this was my first time (after clearing immigration twice) to go through the "One Stop" door and skip customs, since I didn't have checked bags.
Jul 6, 2010, 2:13 pm
#2
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Were you questioned in the little sequestering area before boarding the flight in AMS? If not, then they may have decided to do it in IAH.
Where is this door that skips customs?
Where is this door that skips customs?
Jul 6, 2010, 2:17 pm
#3
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That's almost as 
as the TSA demanding passengers produce their passport whilst boarding a flight between IAH and San Jose [.........wait for it.............] California.
The phrase "good enough for government work" came to mind that day.
as the TSA demanding passengers produce their passport whilst boarding a flight between IAH and San Jose [.........wait for it.............] California.The phrase "good enough for government work" came to mind that day.
Jul 6, 2010, 2:17 pm
#4
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My understanding is that the pre-departure security is unrelated to US Immigration.
Where is this door that skips customs?
Jul 6, 2010, 2:22 pm
#5
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Never seen it before, two left lanes (left of crew lanes) at immigration now say "One Stop - No Checked Bags." The immigration guy in the booth asks customs questions, too, and then you are fed into a door that goes to a hallway that bypasses customs. Glass hallway with a great view of all the people getting in trouble. You walk by all the interrogation rooms too.
Jul 6, 2010, 2:46 pm
#6
Join Date: Aug 2009
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Anyone else gone through immigration twice at IAH? Deplaned flt 59 today and DHS had setup an immigration checkpoint in the exit hall from the plane.
Everyone queued up in three lines, had passports & paperwork checked, asked questions about origin/dest, purpose of visit, etc, and the officer wrote the number on the customs form.
Walked to the immigration area, lined up again, identical thing. I asked why we had to do it twice today and the second guy politely said he couldn't tell me. Training? any ideas?
In an ironic coincidence, this was my first time (after clearing immigration twice) to go through the "One Stop" door and skip customs, since I didn't have checked bags.
Everyone queued up in three lines, had passports & paperwork checked, asked questions about origin/dest, purpose of visit, etc, and the officer wrote the number on the customs form.
Walked to the immigration area, lined up again, identical thing. I asked why we had to do it twice today and the second guy politely said he couldn't tell me. Training? any ideas?
In an ironic coincidence, this was my first time (after clearing immigration twice) to go through the "One Stop" door and skip customs, since I didn't have checked bags.
Once I later saw officers escort someone directly into secondary inspection while I was in the second line in the immigration area. I surmised they may do extra security when there is some level of suspicion from the passenger list sent ahead.
Jul 6, 2010, 2:47 pm
#7
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Never seen it before, two left lanes (left of crew lanes) at immigration now say "One Stop - No Checked Bags." The immigration guy in the booth asks customs questions, too, and then you are fed into a door that goes to a hallway that bypasses customs. Glass hallway with a great view of all the people getting in trouble. You walk by all the interrogation rooms too.
Jul 6, 2010, 3:20 pm
#8
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Never seen it before, two left lanes (left of crew lanes) at immigration now say "One Stop - No Checked Bags." The immigration guy in the booth asks customs questions, too, and then you are fed into a door that goes to a hallway that bypasses customs. Glass hallway with a great view of all the people getting in trouble. You walk by all the interrogation rooms too.
Interesting. I've seen it, and have used it, but I thought it was for Global Entry only since it was next to the GE kiosks.
Jul 6, 2010, 6:53 pm
#10
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I had this a couple times at SFO. One agent said they were looking for someone on that flight, and it's easier to find them this way before they mix in with the other passengers in the terminal.
Jul 6, 2010, 7:00 pm
#11
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As others have said, this has more to do with security requirements for all flights (on U.S. airlines) to the U.S. post-PA103. In the past 18 years, I've seen it in action in ORY, CDG, FRA, AMS, and BKK among other places. AMS just happens to have at-gate security for non-Schengen flights so they do this as a final step (in case you swap boarding papers with someone post immigration).