When you land at O’Hare from an international flight, you are physically and legally already in the United States the moment the aircraft touches down on U.S. s

When you land at O’Hare from an international flight, you are physically and legally already in the United States the moment the aircraft touches down on U.S. soil (or waters). U.S. law applies in the airport terminal, on the jet bridge, and in the customs/immigration area. The idea that you’re in “no country” until you pass through immigration is more of a metaphorical or procedural concept, not a literal legal one.