Admission Into The United States
According to the Official website of the Department of Homeland Security
| Q: | What is the Inspection Process? |
| A: | All persons arriving at a port-of-entry to the United States are subject to inspection by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officers. CBP Officers will conduct the Immigration, Customs and Agriculture components of the Inspections process. If a traveler has health concerns, he/she will be referred to a Public Health Officer for a separate screening. |
| Q: | What Does the Law Say? |
| A: | The legal foundation that requires the inspection of all persons arriving in the United States comes from the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), see INA § 235 [8 U.S.C.]. Rules published in the Federal Register explain the inspection requirements and process. These rules are incorporated into the Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] at 8 CFR § 235. |
| Q: | What Can I Expect to Happen at a Port of Entry? |
| A: | Airport When arriving at an airport, the airline will give all travelers some documents to complete while still en route to the United States. All travelers are required to complete a Customs Declaration form 6059B. Those travelers who are non-United States citizens and are requesting admission to the United States with a Visa will be given the Form I-94 (white), Arrival/Departure Record to complete. Those travelers who obtained authorization to travel via the Electronic System for Travel Authorization will not need to complete any additional forms. For more information on ESTA visit the Electronic System for Travel Authorization page. ( Electronic System for Travel Authorization )Upon arrival, the airline personnel will show you to the inspection area. You will queue up in an inspection line and then speak with a CBP officer. If you are a U.S. citizen, special lines may be available to you. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you should use the lanes marked for non-citizens. If you are a U.S. citizen, the officer will ask you for your passport and Customs Declaration form, verify your citizenship, and welcome you back to the United States. You may be asked to proceed to a second screening point with your belongings for additional questioning by CBP Officers. If you are a U.S. citizen, the officer will ask you for your passport, verify your citizenship, and then welcome you back to the United States. You will then proceed to the Customs inspection area.If you are an alien, the CBP Officer must determine why you are coming to the United States, what documents you may require, if you have those documents, and how long you should be allowed to initially stay in the United States. These determinations usually take less than one minute to make. If you are allowed to proceed, the officer will stamp your passport and customs declaration form and issue a completed Form I-94 to you. A completed form I-94 will show what immigration classification you were given and how long you are allowed to stay. Also, If you are an alien, CBP Officers may decide that you should not be permitted to enter the United States. There are many reasons why this might happen (see INA § 212(a)). You will either be placed in detention, or temporarily held until return flight arrangements can be made. If you have a visa, it may be cancelled. In certain instances, Officer(s) may not be able to decide if you should be allowed into the United States. In this case, your inspection may be deferred (postponed), and you will be instructed to go to another office located near your intended destination in the United States for further processing. Land Sea |
| Q: | What Documents Must You Present? |
| A: | A foreign national entering the U.S. is required to present a passport and valid visa issued by a U.S. Consular Official unless they are a citizen of a country eligible for the Visa Waiver Program, a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., or a citizen of Canada. (Visa Waiver Program). A foreign national traveling by air who is a citizen of a country eligible for the Visa Waiver Program must have an approved ESTA and valid passport before traveling to the U.S. (Electronic System for Travel Authorization).Canadian citizens must present a passport when entering or departing the U.S. by air. Canadian citizens returning home from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean or Bermuda, by land or sea, will be required to present one of the following travel documents: Passport, Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL), Trusted Traveler Card (NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST), or Secure Certificate of Indian Status.
Exceptions:
U.S. and Canadian citizen children under age 16 arriving by land or sea from contiguous territory may also present an original or copy of his or her birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad or a Canadian Citizenship Card.
Canadian citizen children under age 19 arriving by land or sea from contiguous territory and traveling with a school group, religious group, social or cultural organization, or sports team, may also present an original or copy of his or her birth certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or a Canadian Citizenship Card. ( Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative )
Lawful Permanent Residents of the United States are required to present their permanent resident card (Form I-551) or other valid evidence of permanent residence status. A passport is not required for entry into the United States. For further information, see “How Do I Become a Lawful Permanent Resident While in the United States?” and “How Do I Get a Travel Document?” ( How Do I Become a Lawful Permanent Resident While in the United States? )( How Do I Get a Travel Document? ) |
| Q: | How Can I Appeal? |
| A: | In certain circumstances, if you used a valid visa to apply for admission and your application for admission has been denied, you can request a hearing before the Immigration Court, where an immigration judge will determine your case. A judge’s decision can be appealed to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). You will receive instructions on where and how to appeal. For more information, please see, How Do I Appeal? If you apply for admission to the United States under the Visa Waiver Pilot Program, the decision of the officer is final. In cases involving fraud, willful misrepresentation, false claim to U.S. citizenship or lack of a valid immigrant visa for an intending immigrant, the officer’s decision is final. |