Global Entry Denials Attorney in Miami, Florida

If you’re a U.S. citizen or a permanent U.S. resident, you may want to travel in and out of the country to visit family and loved ones in another country. The customs re-entry process can be long and challenging, but some people may be eligible for the Global Entry program run through U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). This trusted travel program can make it easier for people to move through customs, but not everyone will qualify.  

If you’ve recently applied for this program but received a global entry denial, it may help to reach out to an immigration attorney who can help you understand the reasons for the denial and potentially help you appeal this decision. From my offices in Miami, Florida, I can help clients throughout the state with immigration matters. Call me at Gurian Group, P.A. to set up an appointment.

Understanding Global Entry  

The Global Entry program began in the early 2000s as a replacement for the INS Passenger Accelerated Service System. This new trusted traveler program sought to increase eligibility and include more entry stations at airports across the globe. Currently, there are more than 75 participating airports and other preclearance locations with Global Entry kiosks.  

The program works by expediting previously screened and approved individuals through the customs process by having them use automatic kiosks. Here, the traveler will scan their passport or green card, scan their fingerprints, and fill out a declaration form. It’s important to note that even with this preclearance, travelers can be asked to go through additional screening, but in general, this process is much faster and easier than standard customs. Because of this, many people who reside legally in the U.S. and travel frequently out of the country wish to be approved for Global Entry status.  

Eligibility for Global Entry 

Any U.S. citizen or any lawful permanent resident may apply for Global Entry, as well as citizens of Argentina, Bahrain, Brazil, Colombia, Germany, India, Mexico, Netherlands, Panama, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom. There are several factors that could make you ineligible for applying, such as having a criminal conviction in your past, falsifying information on your application, violating customs law, being the subject of an ongoing investigation, being denied for purchasing a firearm, or failing the interview process with CBP. 

Common Reasons for Denials  

Even though applicants may be familiar with the requirements for eligibility for Global Entry, it’s still fairly common to be denied. When this happens, it can help to speak with an attorney so you can better understand why you were denied and what you can do about it. For example, everyone who applies must undergo an in-person interview with a CBP agent to determine whether you’re a “low-risk” traveler, and the interviewer may find a reason to deny you during this process. In other cases, it could be something like a DUI conviction that happened over ten years ago, past infractions with customs over undeclared items, or not filling out your application completely or honestly.  

Appealing a Denial  

You may be able to appeal your denial, but this process will look slightly different depending on the reason you were rejected. If your application was denied because you were previously unable to purchase a firearm, you can challenge your firearm denial, which may make you eligible for Global Entry. Other denials generally have to be appealed within 30 days, and you can start this process by writing a letter to CBP explaining the situation and including any relevant documentation to support your case. It can be very helpful to work with an attorney at this point.