Going Through U.S. Immigration

CBP Officer: Passport please. How long will you be staying in the United States?

Leila: Um, nine months.

CBP Officer: What’s the purpose of your visit?

Leila: I’m going to study at a high school.

CBP Officer: What school will you be studying at?

Leila: At Lexington Catholic High School.

CBP Officer: Why did you choose to study in the U.S.?

Leila: Because I can get a very good education there, and I want to experience American culture.

CBP Officer: Where will you be staying?

Leila: Uh, in a dormitory on the campus. I have the information here.

CBP Officer: How much currency are you carrying with you?

Leila: Um, I think, uh, $100.

CBP Officer: Who packed your bag?

Leila: Me, I did.

CBP Officer: Do you have anything to declare?

Leila: Uh, no.

CBP Officer: Any fruit? Vegetables? Meat?

Leila: No.

CBP Officer: Any alcohol?

Leila: No.

CBP Officer: Place your right thumb on the screen please, right fingers, left thumb, left fingers. Now please look here for the photo.

Vocabulary:

purpose of your visit – (expression) the official reason why you are traveling to a specific country or place, “The border officer asked about the purpose of your visit when we arrived at the airport.”

experience – (verb) to encounter, undergo, or live through an event, culture, or activity, “I want to travel to Japan to experience the local food and festivals.”

dormitory – (noun) a residential building, often on a school or college campus, providing sleeping and living quarters for students, “Living in a university dormitory is a great way to make new friends.”

campus – (noun) the physical grounds and buildings of a university, college, or school, “The university has a beautiful campus filled with trees and old brick buildings.”

currency – (noun) a system of money in common use in a particular country, “When traveling to Europe, you will need to exchange your money for local currency.”

carrying with – (expression) holding, moving, or transporting something while going from one place to another, “Are you carrying with you any restricted items like fresh fruit?”

packed your bag – (expression) placed your personal items, clothes, and belongings into a suitcase or backpack for a trip, “Before leaving for the airport, I double-checked that I had packed my bag with everything I needed.”

to declare – (verb) to officially state or report goods, money, or agricultural products you are bringing into a country to customs officials, “If you are bringing expensive commercial goods into the country, you must remember to declare them.”

thumb – (noun) the short, thick first digit of the human hand, set apart from the other four fingers, “She placed her thumb on the scanner to unlock her smartphone.”

screen – (noun) a flat surface on an electronic device where images, data, or information are displayed, “Please look at the computer screen to confirm your flight details.”