IRAP_KYR_Flyer (2024)

FAQs

Why do I keep getting sent to secondary inspection? ›

Secondary screening may also result from what some believe is bias towards certain groups of people. Secondary inspection can also be caused by fingerprints that were incorrect or of poor quality, along with a myriad of other issues. Oftentimes, the government relies on inaccurate or incomplete records.

Generally, customs officers may stop people at the border to determine whether they are admissible to the United States, and they may search people's belongings for contraband. This is true even if there is nothing suspicious about you or your luggage.

If you are a U.S. citizen and you have presented a valid passport, you do not have to answer officers' questions, although refusing to answer routine questions about the nature and purpose of your travel could result in delay and/or further inspection.

If questions arise and CBP is unable to admit you quickly, you may be taken to a separate area for “secondary inspection.” A referral by itself is not adverse, but you can expect to be detained anywhere from a few minutes to several hours or longer.

CBP has established an easy to use traveler compliance check that is available on the I-94 website. Travelers may check their admission status at https://I94.cbp.dhs.gov and clicking on the 'View Compliance' tab.

Of the 394 million travelers CBP processed at ports of entry in FY 2023, 12,276,440 (3.1%) travelers were referred for a secondary inspection. A border search of electronics is not a required action during a secondary inspection.

If the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer at the port of entry cannot verify your information, or if you do not have all of the required documentation, a CBP officer may direct you to an interview area known as “secondary inspection.” Secondary inspection allows inspectors to conduct additional research ...

Secondary inspection is much more comprehensive than a primary inspection and can take several hours to complete.

The TSA is a division of Homeland Security and is primarily responsible for screening passengers and baggage for terrorism threats. The TSA does not have the power to make an arrest; however, a TSA agent can detain you until local law enforcement arrives.

All persons, baggage, and merchandise arriving in, or departing from, the United States are subject to inspection by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). This search authority includes all electronic devices crossing our nation's borders.

What do U.S. border guards see on their computer? ›

If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you cannot be compelled to power on and decrypt the device. (If you are on a tourist or work visa, you might be refused entry if you refuse to decrypt your device.)

A person who arrives in a country and is refused entry, whether they are taken into custody or not, will be paying for their flight back to their point of embarkation. Transportation companies are often forced by governments to transport said people, whether such travel is fully paid for or not.

Customs might go through your luggage

In some areas, they may send your luggage through a scanner, but one of the biggest questions on everyone's minds is: does customs go through your luggage? The answer: they have the right to do so, but often they do not.

During secondary inspection, CBP will ask you questions and may collect biographic and biometric data, run record checks, and determine whether you should be admitted to the United States.

Suspicious travel patterns

In the U.S., there are 92 suspicious travel behaviors that can increase the likelihood of being selected for additional airport screening. One of these is frequent travel to destinations considered high-risk by security agencies.

False positive identity detection

Do you have a common name? Or perhaps share a name with someone on the no-fly list? That could be the reason behind your random additional screening. It's called a false-positive and is another reason why some passengers apply for the Redress Inquiry Program.