Jazmin Li
When entering the US by air, you will likely encounter Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, and possibly Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents. CBP officers have the authority to ask about your immigration status and the purpose of your travel to determine whether you are admissible to the US. They may also ask about your religious and political beliefs, although you do not have to answer these questions, and you cannot be denied entry for declining to do so. Your bags and electronic devices can be searched without your permission. To find a US entry airport in a specific state or territory, you can refer to the official CBP website. Some major US airports with Global Entry include Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport (DFW), John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York (JFK), and Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport (MSP).
US Entry Airports
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Airports | 160+ |
| Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Preclearance Locations | Dublin and Shannon in Ireland; Aruba; Bermuda; Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates; Nassau in the Bahamas; and Calgary, Toronto, Edmonton, Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Vancouver, Victoria, and Winnipeg in Canada |
| Airports with Global Entry | Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport (DFW); Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport (FLL); George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Houston (IAH); John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York (JFK); Lambert - St. Louis International Airport (STL); Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport (MSP); Montreal Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL); Providence – T.F. Green International Airport (PVD); St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) |
| Customs Officers' Authority | Ask immigration status, fingerprinting, ask religious and political beliefs, and search belongings and electronic devices |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Global Entry Program: Expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travellers at selected airports
- Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Preclearance: CBP officers at foreign airports to inspect travellers before US-bound flights
- Primary Inspection: All passengers screened, fingerprinted, and questioned about their travel purpose
- Secondary Inspection: For further questioning, usually for immigrants with a green card or those suspected of security risk
- Traveller Rights: Travellers have rights regarding electronic device searches, questioning, and asylum requests
Global Entry Program: Expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travellers at selected airports
Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travellers upon arrival in the United States. Members enter the United States by accessing the Global Entry processing technology at selected airports.
At the airport, program members proceed to the Global Entry lanes, where their photo is captured to verify their membership. Once the photo has been captured, the member will receive on-screen instructions and proceed to a CBP officer who will confirm that they have successfully completed the process.
To become a member, travellers must be pre-approved for the Global Entry program. All applicants undergo a rigorous background check and in-person interview before enrolment. If a traveller is unable to schedule an interview at an Enrolment Centre before their international travel, they have the option to complete their interview via Enrolment on Arrival (EoA) upon their arrival in the United States at an EoA-eligible airport.
The Global Entry program costs $100 for five years, increasing to $120 beginning on October 2, 2024. The program is available at major U.S. airports, including Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport (DFW), Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport (FLL), George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Houston (IAH), John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York (JFK), Lambert - St. Louis International Airport (STL), Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport (MSP), Providence – T.F. Green International Airport (PVD), and St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE).
Aeronautical Engineers: Airport-Based or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Preclearance: CBP officers at foreign airports to inspect travellers before US-bound flights
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Preclearance is a process that allows travellers to bypass CBP and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checks upon arrival in the US. Instead, CBP officers are stationed at designated foreign airports to inspect travellers before they board US-bound flights. This means travellers can proceed directly to their connecting flight or final destination in the US, without needing to go through security or waiting upon arrival.
Preclearance provides layered security, preventing travellers who would be deemed inadmissible upon arrival to the US from boarding US-bound flights. It also stops narcotics, contraband, prohibited items, and dangerous pests and agriculture diseases from reaching the US. CBP officers have the authority to ask travellers about their immigration status and determine whether they have the right to enter the country. They may also search people's belongings, including electronic devices, although this is a contested legal issue. Officers cannot select individuals for questioning based on their religion, race, national origin, gender, ethnicity, or political beliefs. Travellers who are US citizens or lawful permanent residents do not have to answer questions about their religious beliefs, practices or political opinions and cannot be denied entry to the US for declining to answer such questions.
In 2019, CBP processed more than 22 million passengers at Preclearance locations, representing approximately 16% of all US-bound commercial air travellers. There are currently 15 Preclearance sites in six countries: Aruba, The Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Ireland, and the United Arab Emirates. These include major airports such as Toronto Pearson International Airport, as well as Dublin, Shannon, Abu Dhabi, Nassau, and Vancouver.
Preclearance has proven benefits for airports, airlines, and travellers. It enables new direct routes to over 160 US airports, even those without a CBP port of entry. It also increases security and safety for all travellers, while facilitating efficient travel and trade. CBP is looking to expand the program to more strategic locations in the future.
United Premier Access: Which Airports Offer This Service?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Primary Inspection: All passengers screened, fingerprinted, and questioned about their travel purpose
When entering the US, all passengers will go through a primary inspection process. This involves being questioned by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, who are responsible for determining the admissibility of individuals entering the US. Officers are permitted to stop people at the border to determine whether they are admissible and may search people's belongings for contraband. This includes electronic devices such as laptops and cell phones, although this is a contested legal issue. Officers may not select individuals for a personal search or secondary inspection based on their religion, race, national origin, gender, ethnicity, or political beliefs.
During the primary inspection, CBP officers must determine why an individual is seeking entry into the US, what documents they require, whether they have those documents, and how long they should be allowed to stay in the US initially. These determinations usually take less than a minute but may take longer in certain cases. If an individual is approved for admission, the CBP officer will stamp their passport and customs declaration form and provide them with a completed Form I-94, which outlines their immigration classification and the permitted length of their stay.
As part of the primary inspection, all visitors and other non-immigrants will be fingerprinted and photographed. CBP officers will compare these fingerprints with records in national security databases to identify any potential causes for concern. Foreign nationals may also be asked about their qualifications and the visa category they are using.
It is important to note that individuals who are US citizens only need to answer questions establishing their identity and citizenship. However, refusing to answer routine questions about the nature and purpose of their travel could result in delays or further inspection. On the other hand, non-citizen visa holders or visitors may be denied entry into the US if they refuse to answer officers' questions.
Airports Across the Globe: Counting Our Take-Off Points
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Secondary Inspection: For further questioning, usually for immigrants with a green card or those suspected of security risk
Secondary inspection at US airports is a procedure that involves further questioning and is often carried out on immigrants with green cards or those suspected of security risks. This additional screening is conducted by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), US Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), or other agencies. The purpose of secondary inspection is to verify information and address potential safety and national security concerns.
During secondary inspection, individuals may be subjected to more intrusive questioning. However, it is important to note that officers cannot base their selection for secondary inspection on factors such as religion, race, national origin, gender, ethnicity, or political beliefs. The questioning for US citizens typically focuses on establishing their identity, citizenship, and answering customs-related questions. Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs) or green card holders need to answer questions about their identity and permanent residency, and they may refuse to answer other questions without facing denial of entry into the United States.
Non-citizen visa holders, on the other hand, may face denial of entry if they refuse to cooperate or answer questions. All travellers should be aware that refusing to provide passwords for electronic devices might lead to delays, lengthy questioning, or officers seizing their devices for further inspection. If an officer confiscates a device, travellers have the right to request that the search be conducted in front of a supervisor.
If travellers believe they have been repeatedly and unjustly subjected to secondary inspection, they can file an inquiry with the Department of Homeland Security through the Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (TRIP). This program allows individuals to track the status of their claims and receive a final determination letter once all agencies have completed their reviews. Additionally, travellers who feel their rights have been violated or who have experienced mistreatment during secondary inspection can contact organisations like the ACLU for assistance and guidance.
Taipei Airport: Hotel Accommodations for Travelers
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Traveller Rights: Travellers have rights regarding electronic device searches, questioning, and asylum requests
When entering the US by air, travellers have certain rights regarding electronic device searches, questioning, and asylum requests.
Electronic Device Searches
US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers are authorised to search the electronic devices of any international traveller entering or leaving the United States, including US citizens. However, this is rare, with less than 0.01% of arriving international travellers encountering a CBP electronic device search in Fiscal Year 2024. If a CBP officer does search your electronic devices, they can only access data stored on the device itself and not data stored remotely in the cloud. You do not have to unlock or provide passwords for your devices, but refusing to do so may result in delays and further inspection, and CBP officers can confiscate your devices to attempt to unlock them. If your device is confiscated, you should get a receipt and document as much information as possible about the incident, including names, badge numbers, and the time of day.
Questioning
Customs officers may ask about your immigration status to determine your right to enter the country. US citizens need only answer questions establishing their identity and citizenship, while lawful permanent residents (LPRs) must answer questions about their identity and permanent residency. Non-citizen visa holders or visitors may be denied entry if they refuse to answer officers' questions. Officers may not select individuals for questioning based on their religion, race, national origin, gender, ethnicity, or political beliefs. Travellers are within their rights to decline to answer questions about their religious beliefs and political opinions, but this may lead to delays or additional questioning, and possibly denial of entry for non-citizens. If customs officers persist in asking such questions, travellers can request to see a supervisor.
Asylum Requests
Asylum seekers must be physically in the US or at a port of entry, such as an airport, to request the opportunity to apply for asylum. If you are told you cannot enter the US and fear persecution or torture if sent back to your country of origin, you should inform the customs officer and ask for asylum. This may result in a prolonged stay at the port of entry, but you will not be immediately returned to your country.
It is important to note that recent executive orders and policies have curbed the legal right to seek asylum, particularly for asylum seekers who passed through another country before reaching the US-Mexico border.
ATMs at Gatwick Airport: Availability and Locations
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travellers upon arrival in the United States. Members enter the United States by accessing the Global Entry processing technology at selected airports.
The CBP is a U.S. government agency that is responsible for securing the nation's borders. This includes inspecting travellers at airports and other ports of entry.
U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents have the right to refuse to answer questions about their religious beliefs, political opinions, and other personal matters. They cannot be denied entry to the United States for declining to answer such questions. However, refusing to answer routine questions about the nature and purpose of their travel could result in delays and further inspection.
Non-citizen visa holders or visitors may decline to answer questions about their religious beliefs and political opinions, but this may lead to delays, additional questioning, or possible denial of entry into the country. They are also required to answer questions about their immigration status and the purpose of their travel.
To find a Port of Entry in a specific state or territory, you can use the map or the form provided on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website.
