Us Immigration: Your Travel Secrets

Immigration is a complex and highly scrutinised topic in the United States, with almost a million individuals entering the country daily. All travellers arriving at US ports of entry are subject to inspection by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, who ensure compliance with immigration, customs, and agriculture regulations. This includes both US citizens and foreign nationals. Foreign nationals must establish their admissibility and prove their visa or immigration status, with their biographic information entered into the CBP's electronic tracking system. Interestingly, there is no individual exit immigration check in the US, unlike some other countries. However, the US government does have methods to track exits, such as through the collection of passport details and the use of the APIS system.

The US processes passport details for all air passengers through APIS and ties that to the electronic I-94

The US government keeps track of the arrival and departure of international travellers through a system called APIS (Advanced Passenger Information System). This system processes the passport details of all air passengers and ties that information to the electronic I-94 form, also known as the Arrival/Departure Record.

The I-94 form is issued by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and records the arrival and departure dates of people visiting the US. It is required for everyone entering the country except for returning resident aliens, non-US citizens with immigrant visas, and most Canadian citizens who are visiting or in transit. The form can be obtained electronically via the CBP One app or the I-94 website, or in person at the point of entry for land travel. For those entering the US by air or sea, a CBP officer will issue the form electronically during the admission process.

The I-94 form is important for individuals who need to prove their legal visitor status to employers, schools, or government agencies. While the form was previously issued on paper, CBP now gathers travellers' information automatically from their electronic travel records. This streamlined process facilitates security, reduces federal costs, and saves the agency $15.5 million annually.

It is worth noting that there may be instances where departures are not recorded accurately, particularly when an individual receives an electronic I-94 upon arrival by air, land, or sea but departs via land. In such cases, it is recommended to travel with evidence of departure, such as entry stamps in a passport, transportation tickets, or pay stubs.

Foreign nationals must establish their admissibility to the US and prove they have the proper visa or immigration status

There are two categories of US visas: immigrant and nonimmigrant. Immigrant visas are issued to foreign nationals intending to live and work permanently in the US. Nonimmigrant visas are issued to foreign nationals seeking to enter the US on a temporary basis for tourism, business, medical treatment, or certain types of temporary work.

To obtain an immigrant visa, a foreign national must typically be sponsored by a relative or employer. Certain applicants, such as workers with extraordinary abilities, investors, and special immigrants, can petition on their own behalf. The application is processed by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and then forwarded to a US Consulate or Embassy for issuance of the visa. The visa must be presented at a US port of entry before its expiration, where a CBP officer will review the visa and accompanying paperwork to determine the individual's admissibility.

Nonimmigrant visas are typically applied for directly at a US consulate or embassy. Foreign nationals seeking to enter the US for study or work may require additional authorization and documentation. Nonimmigrant visa applicants are closely reviewed to assess the likelihood of their return to their home country, as USCIS aims to prevent foreign nationals from overstaying their visas or remaining in the US illegally.

It is important to note that even with a visa, foreign nationals are not considered immigrants until they are inspected and approved by a CBP officer at a port of entry. All foreign nationals are subject to inspection by CBP officers for compliance with immigration, customs, and agriculture regulations. Therefore, foreign nationals must ensure they have all the required documents and are properly prepared when attempting to enter the US.

CBP officers are authorised to ask travellers questions about their travel plans and personal background

The United States welcomes almost a million international travellers every day. All travellers arriving at a US port of entry are subject to inspection by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers for compliance with immigration, customs, and agriculture regulations. The more travellers know about what to expect, the easier and quicker the process becomes.

The CBP uses a variety of techniques to ensure that global tourism remains safe and strong. The CBP's Trusted Traveller Programs provide expedited travel for pre-approved, low-risk travellers through dedicated lanes and kiosks.

The Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) is an online application system developed by the US government to pre-screen travellers before they are allowed to enter the country. It is available to citizens of certain countries, including Australia, and requires travellers to provide biographic and other information, including details of their intended stay in the US.

Upon departure from the US, travellers are required to fill out a paper form or complete an online form at a Global Entry or Automated Passport Control kiosk. This form itemises all purchased merchandise and agricultural products. Travellers are advised to keep all purchase receipts in an envelope in their carry-on luggage to facilitate this process.

The CBP has legal authority to search travellers, their baggage, and their vehicles. If asked, travellers must place their opened baggage on the exam station and are expected to repack and close their baggage after the examination.

The TSA is the government agency responsible for the security of transportation systems within the US

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is a government agency within the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS). It is responsible for the security of transportation systems within the US and those connecting to the country. The TSA was created in response to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, which exposed weaknesses in existing airport security procedures.

The TSA's primary mission is to secure air travel and prevent aircraft hijacking. It screens passengers and baggage at over 450 US airports, employing screening officers, explosives detection dog handlers, and bomb technicians. The TSA also deploys armed Federal Air Marshals and Federal Flight Deck Officers on aircraft.

In addition to aviation security, the TSA develops policies to protect other transportation systems, including highways, railroads, bus networks, mass transit systems, ports, pipelines, and intermodal freight facilities. It works with various federal, state, local, and foreign government partners to fulfill its mission.

The TSA has a comprehensive screening process and regulations for passengers, checked luggage, and carry-on baggage. These include identification verification, pat-downs, full-body scans, and explosives screening. The agency has been subject to criticism and controversy over the effectiveness of its procedures, incidents of baggage theft, data security, and allegations of prejudicial treatment.

The TSA is headquartered in Springfield, Virginia, and is currently led by Administrator David Pekoske. For the fiscal year 2023, the TSA operated with a budget of approximately $9.7 billion and employed over 47,000 security personnel.

CBP provides security and facilitation operations at 328 ports of entry throughout the country

The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) provides security and facilitation operations at 328 ports of entry throughout the country. These ports of entry include more than 300 land, air, and sea ports. All foreign visitors, returning American citizens, and imported cargo entering the US are subject to inspection by CBP officers for compliance with immigration, customs, and agriculture regulations.

The CBP's security operations are supported by various initiatives, including the Air Cargo Advance Screening Initiative, the Container Security Initiative, the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism, and the Proliferation Security Initiative.

Regarding the question of whether US immigration knows where you travel to, the US government does track entries and exits to and from the country. This is done primarily through the collection of passport details and electronic arrival and departure records. The US processes passport details for all air passengers through the APIS system, which is tied to the electronic I-94 arrival and departure record. This allows individuals to check their US arrival and departure history online.

Additionally, when exiting the country through a land border, passport information is transmitted to US authorities by Canadian customs, creating a record of exit. However, it is possible to leave the US without being detected, such as by walking across the border without interacting with CBP officers.

Frequently asked questions