God loves you! ;)
Mar 4, 2025
traveling back 03/04/2025
Hi guys! God bless both the writer and the reader!
I recently returned home through JFK Airport after being away for three weeks. As usual, I was taken to secondary inspection, but this time was different. The officer informed me that “you applied through VAWA.” I replied yes, and then he began asking me questions about my ex-husband, such as where we met, how long we were married, when we divorced, and if I was officially divorced. He also asked about the type of abuse I endured during the relationship. I was advised not to go into specifics but to categorize it as physical, psychological, etc.
I felt overwhelmed because I had never experienced this kind of encounter before. In the past, I had been asked about my job and the purpose of my travel, but this time was different. While I was waiting, I overheard another officer asking a fellow VAWA applicant about specific dates, such as the date of birth of their partner, date of separation, the name and location of the lawyer assisting with the VAWA application, asked how he afford and who advice him to apply for vawa, and even issued a reminder to another traveler to carry her marriage certificate.
I was terrified, especially since it was 3 a.m., and I was already in the waiting area for an hour. I kept thinking about the possibility of making a mistake due to fatigue, or worse, what if my case was decided while I was traveling and I couldn’t see my loved ones? I don’t mean to scare anyone, but it’s important to be prepared to answer any questions.
Fortunately, I was only asked basic questions that every partner should know. I can't imagine how the other person, who was asked countless questions about their relationship, managed to stand there and answer everything. Some officers are calm and respectful, while others can be quite rude. Thankfully, the officer who interviewed me was respectful and calm, which made a difference in my experience.
So my recommendation is to be prepared if you plan to travel. God bless you!
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Mohammed sharifMar 4, 2025
wow this is so scary now
victory year 2025Mar 4, 2025
thanks so much for information.
viví stMar 4, 2025
hola es mejor no viajar con permiso de viaje es muyariesgado
Rafael Bracho Mar 4, 2025
I came back in January and it was the same
God is great! Really greatMar 4, 2025
oh my! sorry you went through that
phani cheruMar 4, 2025
OMG, thanks for sharing your experience!
Kanye EastMar 4, 2025
I am not going to travel now until I receive the green card. It’s getting scary.
Slv SlvMar 4, 2025
oh gosh!!! I returned in January and I didn’t even wait a minute there, just got released really fast, no questions asked.
survivor pMar 4, 2025
@Kanye East agree 100%
A TMar 4, 2025
I just came back yesterday. No questions asked.
S SMar 4, 2025
@God loves you! ;) do you travel with GC or EAD/AP?
March 2022Mar 4, 2025
Everyone be careful of the Lady Officer at JFK Airport.
She has asked me & some other people questions regarding abuse,lawyer & approval letters.
God loves you! ;)Mar 4, 2025
@S S Ead/AP, I was told that everyone with parole is sent to secondary inspection, but I never waited that long and never was questioned like that. I am happy to hear that others are not being questioned because it scared me.
Abi KenMar 4, 2025
@Kanye East Hey bruh you ain’t get your GC yet? Really?
sweet linsMar 4, 2025
@Kanye East I taught you had gotten your GC
sweet linsMar 4, 2025
damn and why some officers questioning people like that..it’s like they want to put fear in people smfh
ess yMar 4, 2025
same thing happened to me at JFK. that airport is just too much
j da SilvaMar 4, 2025
I will be traveling in July, same situation and airport.
I have a friend who recently came back , it was quick and not a lot of questions were asked,
Rose peterMar 5, 2025
oh wow! this is scary… please guys be careful. if you don’t have to travel please don’t. JFK is suppose to be a state that is immigration friendly as far as I know. if they start behaving like this then no one should risk it. we all need to be patient just a little more time all this will be over, the last thing you want to do is jeopardizing every of your effort, time, emotions etc for a couple of more months/ years. be safe out there at least for now. bless up everyone.
God didMar 5, 2025
is your vawa approved
Shari Mar 5, 2025
wow that's crazy
God is goodMar 5, 2025
I came back through JFK beginning of January
Waited for over an hour
The same questions were asked to me
And as some of you mentioned there is the Lady Officer that asks a lot more questions very loudly
Thankfully another officer called me
That is not a joke
It's scary
Katrona FarringtonMar 5, 2025
Happened to me 2 weeks ago (not JFK) felt like I was at the adjudication interview. SMT and now EVERY SINGLE time you travel they stamp in your passport. That is new! I think it's a way to track how much you travel.
lwl eMar 5, 2025
I travelled in 2022 and 2023.. spent one week and 4 weeks respectively, when my vawa was still pending.. came back through jfk both times and didn’t spend up to 5 minutes, no crazy questions were asked. this must be something new. thanks for the update.
God loves you! ;)Mar 5, 2025
yes, it was scary. One officer told one lady to always travel with all forms and papers in a folder since the process would worsen.
Abi KenMar 5, 2025
@lwl e All this is the new administration because the CBPs now know they have Presidential backup so they do anything unlike before where you can state your right to answer some and decline some and they still let you in. And also it depends on CBP officer too, some are just spiteful you know..
kamol saMar 5, 2025
I came yesterday no questions just secondary inspection stump .
God is goodMar 5, 2025
@Katrona Farrington yes it is a way to track everyone even if you have a passport or a green card
They have to stamp your passport for records
God’s daughterMar 6, 2025
jfk doing too much that y I stop using that airport
King CMar 10, 2025
@God loves you! ;) @Katrona Farrington @God is good @ess y @March 2022 what terminals was This lady? and if you guys can please share the terminal you had this encounter with. thank you
I’m traveling this month and my return will be jfk terminal 7 .
God loves you! ;)Mar 10, 2025
@King C I don’t think is one specific terminal because as the officer mentioned from now on they will ask more questions so be prepared for it.
March 2022Mar 10, 2025
@King C JFk Terminal 4
God is goodMar 11, 2025
@King C terminal 4
