Jazmin Li
When it comes to immigration, choosing the right airport can make a significant difference in the ease and efficiency of the process. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the busiest airport in the world and has managed to keep average immigration wait times below 20 minutes. Miami International Airport is another popular choice, offering dedicated immigration and customs facilities, as well as a Global Entry program for expedited processing. Other airports with dedicated immigration and customs facilities include Chicago O'Hare International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, and John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. While smaller international airports tend to have longer wait times due to processing time constraints, larger airports that handle millions of travelers often provide a smoother immigration experience.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport with the highest immigrant traffic | Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport |
| Average wait time | 20 minutes |
| Peak wait time | 35 minutes |
| Best airports for immigration in the US | Miami International Airport, Chicago O'Hare International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport |
| Worst airports for immigration in the US | New York (JFK), Dallas, San Francisco |
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What You'll Learn
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
The airport was designed to accommodate up to 55 million passengers per year and covers 2.5 million square feet. To accommodate the increase in international air traffic, a southern extension of Concourse T opened in 1987, and Concourse E opened in 1994. In 1999, the airport's leadership established the "Focus On the Future" Development Program, which involved multiple construction projects to prepare the airport to handle a projected demand of 121 million passengers in 2015.
Hartsfield-Jackson offers efficient immigration and customs services for international travelers, including Global Entry kiosks and traditional processing. Upon arrival, passengers must proceed to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) area for passport verification and questioning. After claiming their baggage, passengers must declare any required items and proceed through customs checks before exiting to the arrivals hall or connecting to domestic flights.
The airport is equipped with biometrics technology and has a new control tower that stands at 398 feet, making it the tallest in the United States. With five runways, Hartsfield-Jackson is one of the few airports capable of performing triple simultaneous landings, significantly increasing its capacity for landings and take-offs.
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Chicago O'Hare International Airport
The corridor between an hourly parking lot and a Hilton Hotel near Terminal 1 was first converted into an emergency shelter in June 2023. The shelter was initially intended for short-term stays, but as the number of migrants exceeded the capacity of available shelters, many were forced to remain at the airport for extended periods. By the end of the year, close to 300 migrants were still residing at the airport, with a peak of over 800 earlier in 2023.
The city of Chicago and the state of Illinois have struggled to manage the influx of migrants, with volunteer groups playing a crucial role in providing support. The prolonged stays at the airport have raised concerns about public health and safety, with volunteers expressing worry about their ability to provide adequate services and donations.
The crisis at O'Hare Airport has highlighted the challenges faced by local governments in addressing the international and federal immigration crisis. It has also sparked debates about the humane treatment of migrants, with community residents and activists questioning the city's response and the use of controversial security firms for migrant detention.
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Miami International Airport
In 1995, there were allegations that the airport had insufficient staffing to handle the high volume of international passengers. It was claimed that the number of immigration inspectors was abnormally high during the Delegation's visit on June 10, 1995, with nearly double the number of inspectors submitting overtime bills compared to a typical Saturday. There were also concerns raised about the management's representation of existing conditions at the airport and instructions not to discuss staffing problems with the Delegation.
The airport serves as a port of entry to the United States, and all international passengers are subject to inspection by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Passengers on international flights connecting to U.S. destinations are required to claim their baggage before proceeding through Customs.
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John F. Kennedy International Airport
The airport features five passenger terminals and four runways, with nonstop or direct flights to destinations on all six inhabited continents. It is accessible primarily by car, bus, shuttle, or other vehicle transit via the JFK Expressway or Interstate 678 (Van Wyck Expressway).
JFK Airport opened in 1948 as New York International Airport but was commonly known as Idlewild Airport after the Idlewild Beach Golf Course that it displaced. In 1963, following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the airport was renamed in his honour.
JFK Airport has been described as one of the slowest airports for immigration due to the high volume of international flights arriving at the airport. However, it continues to be a significant hub for international travel and cargo operations, with airlines such as DHL, FedEx Express, Japan Airlines, Lufthansa, and United Airlines having cargo facilities on-site.
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Los Angeles International Airport
As a "port of entry," LAX facilitates the entry of various categories of international travellers. The first group consists of passengers for whom Los Angeles is the final destination for their air travel. The second group includes those who are transferring to domestic flights to reach their final destination within the United States. The third category comprises non-immigrants who disembark temporarily for aircraft servicing before continuing their journey to another country.
The Customs and Border Protection (CBP) station at the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) is an expansive and modern facility designed to handle upwards of 20,000 international passengers daily. The primary passport inspection area features approximately 65 lanes, with additional special processing areas for newly arriving immigrants, designated refugees, and disabled passengers. The efficient layout of the inspection area ensures a smooth and orderly process for the high volume of travellers passing through LAX.
The CBP officers at LAX play a crucial role in enforcing US immigration law. They are responsible for verifying the admissibility of individuals seeking entry into the country. Admissibility is determined based on various factors, including criminal history, health conditions, and prior US immigration violations. Individuals who are not admissible to the US or lack the necessary travel documents may face detention or be returned to their country of origin.
LAX's role as a significant port of entry for immigrants and international visitors underscores the dynamic nature of global migration and the United States' commitment to facilitating lawful entry while upholding border security. The efficient management of immigration processes at LAX contributes to the overall functioning of the US immigration system, impacting the lives of countless individuals seeking new opportunities and experiences in the country.
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Frequently asked questions
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the busiest airport in the world and has extensive experience handling international travellers.
Atlanta airport has managed to keep average immigration wait times below 20 minutes, and even during peak hours, waits rarely exceed 35 minutes.
Chicago O'Hare International Airport, Miami International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, and Los Angeles International Airport are all large airports that handle a high volume of international travellers.
Immigrants should consider factors such as dedicated immigration and customs facilities, expedited processing programs, and the airport's experience in handling international travellers.
Smaller international airports tend to have longer processing times and a higher chance of primary officer referral, which can result in longer wait times.
