Upon Entry

Diego and Elena land at Newark and approach passport control. Diego realizes he misplaced the I-9 Declaration form, so Elena fills out a replacement. A border agent scans their passports and begins processing them for entry.

After scanning, the agent fingerprints them and takes their photos before escorting them to a secondary inspection area. The couple grows nervous as the procedure drags on, and mentioning a connecting flight to Miami does not speed things up. The initial sense of smooth entry vanishes.

In the waiting area, Elena asks for food or water since she hadn't eaten on the plane, but she is told there is none. Diego urges her to stay calm and cooperate to avoid inviting trouble. They press on with the process, counting down the minutes.

They are brought into a small interrogation room where bags are searched again. Diego resists slightly when asked to turn off his phone, explaining he wanted to visit his brother in New York, but the agent notes time constraints could complicate that plan. A drug-sniffing dog checks their bags and, after the searches, Elena's insulin and a needle are bagged.

Left alone after the searches, Elena expresses indignation about the invasive process, while Diego wonders if they are being watched. The couple sits in limbo, waiting for the next step and trying to interpret the purpose of the scrutiny.

A female agent enters and asks for documents, social media information, and repeated questions about their birth dates. Elena responds in Spanish, and the agent retorts that truthfulness is essential and that lying is a crime.

The agent asks about their nationalities; Diego explains he is Spanish-resident through Elena, and the agent notes he should have waited for full Spanish nationality approval before traveling. Diego explains he had previously applied for a visa on two prior occasions and mentions other family members who were unsuccessful.

The agents question why they are in a civil union rather than marriage, and probe their work and why the US was chosen over other options. Elena questions whether the questions echo those from the embassy, and the agent says they are checking new information.

Diego is questioned about his time in the US four years ago and another prior interview, while Elena learns of his engagement to another woman, Kate. The revelation vexes Elena and she confronts him, complicating their relationship and credibility.

Two agents interview Diego while Elena is questioned in parallel, and he is pressed to admit that his goal is a green card, under threat of deportation to Venezuela. The agents also remind Elena of the potential costs of starting a family in the US and probe her tolerance and commitment.

Returning to the waiting room, Elena is seen crying and says she wants to return to Barcelona. They realize they gave different answers about Elena's knowledge of Diego's former engagement, shaking their credibility.

Called back to the desk, they discover they missed their connecting flight to Miami, yet they are unexpectedly welcomed to the United States. The moment marks a turning point, easing some of the fear and leaving them hopeful about their future.