CBP COMPUTER CHECKS AT PRIMARY INSPECTION
Scanning a passport does more than display the name printed on the document. CBP inspection systems can use travel-document identifiers to retrieve biographic information, confirm the travel document, review crossing information, conduct law-enforcement checks and identify records that may require additional inspection.
DHS privacy documentation explains that CBP uses machine-readable travel-document information to retrieve biographic information and validate the document presented at inspection.
The passport scan is an identification and screening step, not merely a check of the passport expiration date.
Current CBP biometric-processing documentation states that officers can view traveler biographic data together with potential derogatory information such as TECS lookout records, biometric-system records, watchlist information and outstanding wants and warrants.
CBP records border crossings in its inspection systems. Current CBP documentation states that crossing history is updated to reflect confirmed arrivals.
Travelers themselves can retrieve a limited ten-year arrival and departure history through CBP’s public I-94 system, although CBP maintains additional government records not displayed through the public portal.
DHS has documented CBP access to Department of State visa information for purposes such as validating the travel document and making admissibility determinations.
Department of State also confirms that visa-related fingerprint data is made available to DHS immigration inspectors at U.S. ports of entry.
A computer response, lookout, prior enforcement record, document issue or other admissibility question may result in referral to secondary inspection.
Computer systems do not replace the inspection interview. Current CBP processing documentation describes officers interviewing travelers to establish the purpose and intent of travel and then determining whether to admit, refer or take further action.
CBP maintains border-crossing information and uses crossing history as part of its inspection systems.
Yes. CBP uses visa and travel-document information to validate documents presented for admission.
No. CBP has access to multiple immigration and law-enforcement data sources, but it should not be assumed that every record held by every government agency is automatically displayed to every officer during every inspection.
These government materials describe the principal CBP inspection, travel-record and law-enforcement systems discussed on this page.
Where a traveler has an old refusal, immigration violation, criminal issue or inconsistent prior record, reviewing the history before travel can reduce surprises at the port of entry.