Crossing traffic at the United States border with Mexico has been at historically low levels since President Donald Trump returned to the White House for a second term. There’s a heavier presence of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents augmented by soldiers, and more deployments are planned. The flow of migrants seeking asylum has been considerably reduced, but the lines at the border are moving slower because of stricter controls during the inspection process.
All individuals who enter the U.S. must do so at authorized ports of entry, which include land borders, airports, and seaports. Some entry points are abroad—for example, at the Toronto Pearson International Airport and various cruise ship terminals in the Bahamas. Upon arrival at these locations, you must go through an inspection process to determine admissibility, which involves the procedures explained below by the experienced professionals from KS Visa Law, the best immigration lawyers in San Diego.
Passport Control
The process begins with a CBP team member checking your passport. This is the primary inspection stage. It includes reviewing the validity of the passport and proper entry visa. Foreigners from the European Union and other countries in the Visa Waiver Program don’t need previous visa approval to enter. If your visa was approved through the Consular Consolidated Database program, you don’t have to show papers because they were already stored digitally.
Your fingerprints will be recorded digitally and checked against a database. This portion of the identity check process will include a name search, and it may extend to checking for risks to public health.
CBP Entry Questions
Even though all visas are approved on admissibility grounds, CBP officers at ports of entry will reinforce them through four standard “W” questions. Be prepared to answer why you’re entering, where you’ll go, who you plan to meet, and when you plan to leave. Other questions may focus on how much cash you have, who’s paying for your stay, and how often you travel to specific countries.
Secondary CBP Inspections
Anyone entering the U.S., including American citizens, can be directed to a secondary inspection upon arrival. This usually happens when CBP officers encounter issues during the passport control, identity check, or entry questions stages. You’ll be taken to a separate room and asked more questions. In most cases, your smartphone and other digital devices won’t be allowed in the room.
Foreigners can refuse to answer questions, but doing so may result in a determination of inadmissibility, thus resulting in a denial of entry. You can request an interpreter if you don’t understand the questions. In some cases, overzealous CBP officers may steer you toward contradictions or lies, which are federal offenses punishable by up to eight years in prison. You should be allowed to use the restroom and take prescribed medications. If you must wait hours to complete the inspection, the CBP officers should provide you with food and water.
Not all secondary inspections will question your documents, intentions, or integrity. In some cases, they’re ordered so you can undergo a medical screening based on your vaccination record and health history. If you’ve retained the services of a San Diego immigration lawyer, let him or her know about what happened during the secondary inspection.
If you aren’t sure what to expect at the border or you have questions about any of the legal aspects of immigration, contact trustworthy immigration attorneys in San Diego, CA. The lawyers at KS Visa Law have vast experience with every aspect of immigration law, and they’re the attorneys to call on when you need the most up-to-date information about immigration regulations and how to navigate the immigration system. Call KS Visa Law today to schedule an appointment.
