CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION (CBP); ENTERING THE USA - PART II - TALENT ACQUISITION, THE IMMIGRATION SERIES
- Avodaly - Find A Job, Hire Talent. A Talent acquisition Agency
- Sep 25
- 10 min read
*** Please note - immigration laws, paperwork, and processes may change on a regular basis. Dr. Moran Sciamama-Saghiv is not an immigration official, nor an attorney or an immigration attorney If you require help with your immigration process and/or status, please contact an immigration attorney***
If you are in the human resources, talent acquisition professional fields, or seeking a job in the USA, The Immigration Series should be of great value for you.
Did you know? - About 47 million people living in the United States are immigrants, which is 14% of the United States population. Every year about 25–35 million people apply for a visa to the United States, and about 2–7.5 million people are actually approved to enter the United States.
Trusted Traveler Programs:
Are you a frequent traveler, going to international destinations for pleasure? Or a commercial truck driver hauling goods from Mexico or Canada? Whatever your travel needs, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) can help move you through the line at the airport or port of entry. These programs provide modified screening for pre-approved members, improve security by being more efficient during screenings, and facilitate legitimate trade and travel.
TSA PreCheck® Program:
The TSA PreCheck® program expedites traveler screening through participating TSA security checkpoints. No need to remove shoes, belts, 3–1–1 liquids, laptops, or light jackets. U.S. citizens and U.S. lawful permanent residents (green card holders) enrolled in Global Entry, NEXUS or SENTRI are eligible to participate in TSA PreCheck®, as well as Canadian citizens who are members of NEXUS.
If you are an eligible Global Entry, NEXUS or SENTRI member, enter your membership number (PASS ID) in the “Known Traveler Number” field when booking reservations, or enter it into your frequent flyer profile with the airline. The membership number enables Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Secure Flight System to verify that you are a legitimate CBP Trusted Traveler and eligible to participate in TSA PreCheck®.
You can find your Trusted Traveler member number by logging into your Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) account. Your membership number is listed toward the bottom of the page. Your membership number is also located on the back of your Trusted Traveler card in the upper-left corner.
Global Entry Program:
Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. Members enter the United States through automatic kiosks at select airports.
At airports, program members proceed to Global Entry kiosks, present their machine-readable passport or U.S. permanent resident card, place their fingerprints on the scanner for fingerprint verification and complete a customs declaration. The kiosk issues the traveler a transaction receipt and directs the traveler to baggage claim and the exit.
Travelers must be pre-approved for the Global Entry program. All applicants undergo a rigorous background check and in-person interview before enrollment. While Global Entry’s goal is to speed travelers through the process, members may still be selected for further examination when entering the United States. Any violation of the program’s terms and conditions will result in the appropriate enforcement action and termination of the traveler’s membership privileges.
Global Entry Benefits:
No processing lines
No paperwork
Access to expedited entry
Available at major U.S. airports
Reduced wait times
Eligibility for Global Entry:
U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents (green card holders) and citizens of the following countries are eligible for Global Entry membership:
Citizens of Argentina
Citizens of Brazil
Citizens of Bahrain
Citizens of India
Citizens of Colombia
Citizens of United Kingdom
Citizens of Germany
Citizens of The Netherlands
Citizens of Panama
Citizens of Singapore
Citizens of South Korea
Citizens of Switzerland
Citizens of Taiwan
Mexican nationals
Please note:
There may be additional requirements you must meet depending on your country of citizenship.
Canadian citizens and residents are eligible for Global Entry benefits through membership in the NEXUS program.
If you are under the age of 18, you must have your parent or legal guardian’s consent to participate in the program.
Reasons for Ineligibility:
You may not be eligible for participation in the Global Entry program if you:
Provide false or incomplete information on the application
Have been convicted of any criminal offense or have pending criminal charges or outstanding warrants (to include driving under the influence)
Have been found in violation of any customs, immigration or agriculture regulations or laws in any country
Are the subject of an ongoing investigation by any federal, state or local law enforcement agency
Have been denied for the purchase of a firearm
Are inadmissible to the United States under immigration regulation, including applicants with approved waivers of inadmissibility or parole documentation; or
Cannot satisfy CBP of your low-risk status
Requirements for Children:
There is no minimum age requirement for Global Entry. However, if you are under the age of 18, you must have your parent or legal guardian’s consent to participate in the program. Your parent or legal guardian does not have to be a Global Entry member.
Regardless of your age, you must:
Create a Global Online Enrollment System account
Pay a $100 non-refundable application fee; and
Schedule an interview at a Global Entry Enrollment Center. If you are under the age of 18, a parent or legal guardian must be present at time of interview
The NEXUS Program:
The NEXUS program allows pre-screened travelers expedited processing when entering the United States and Canada. Program members use dedicated processing lanes at designated northern border ports of entry, NEXUS kiosks when entering Canada by air and Global Entry kiosks when entering the United States via Canadian Preclearance airports. NEXUS members also receive expedited processing at marine reporting locations.
Benefits of NEXUS:
If you are approved to participate in NEXUS, you will receive a radio frequency identification card to use when entering the United States and Canada at designated NEXUS air, land and marine ports of entry.
Why You Should Join:
Membership in the NEXUS program allows you to reduce your wait times at designated ports of entry by:
Using dedicated processing lanes at land border crossings
Using NEXUS kiosks when entering Canada
Using Global Entry kiosk when entering the United States, and
Calling a marine telephone reporting center to report your arrival into the United States and Canada
Eligibility for NEXUS:
U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents (green card holders), Canadian citizens, Canadian lawful permanent residents and Mexican nationals who are members of Mexico’s trusted traveler program, Viajero Confiable are eligible to apply for membership in the U.S./Canada NEXUS program. If you are under the age of 18, you must have your parent or legal guardian’s consent to participate in the program.
Reasons for Ineligibility:
You may not be eligible for participation in the NEXUS program if you:
Provide false or incomplete information on the application
Have been convicted of any criminal offense or have pending criminal charges, including outstanding warrants (to include driving under the influence)
Have been found in violation of any customs, immigration or agriculture regulations or laws in any country
Are subjects of an ongoing investigation by any federal, state or local law enforcement agency
Have been denied for the purchase of a firearm
Have received a criminal pardon from any country
Are inadmissible to the U.S. under immigration regulation, including applicants with approved waivers of inadmissibility or parole documentation; or if they
Cannot satisfy CBP or Canada Border Services Agency of your low-risk status
Important Note: Both the United States and Canada must approve your application. Denial of an application by either country will prevent you from participating in the NEXUS program.
How To Renew Your NEXUS Membership:
NEXUS is designed to expedite the border clearance process for low-risk, approved travelers into Canada and the United States. NEXUS members now have crossing privileges at any air, land, and marine ports of entry that supports the program by paying one fee.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) are cooperating in this joint venture to simplify border crossings for members, while enhancing security. CBP and CBSA are asking the NEXUS members begin their application renewal 364 days prior to their membership expiration date. To continue membership in the NEXUS program, he or she must:
Submit an application and go through a registration process
Satisfy the eligibility criteria
Be admissible in Canada and the United States; and
Pass risk assessments by both countries
A member should use the Trusted Travelers Programs (TTP) website to apply for NEXUS. The application-processing fee of $50 (USD) is non-refundable per applicant. The membership will be valid for another five years. Children under the age of 18 must also apply but, if eligible, are admitted to the program free of charge. When the applicant receives a letter in their TTP account advising them of their conditional approval, an interview must be scheduled at an enrollment center to complete the interview process, if required.
Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection:
The Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection (SENTRI) is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. Participants may enter the United States by using dedicated primary lanes into the United States at Southern land border ports.
Please note: Travelers must be pre-approved for the SENTRI program. All applicants undergo a rigorous background check and in-person interview before enrollment.
Benefits of SENTRI:
Membership in the SENTRI program allows you to reduce your wait times at designated ports of entry by:
Using dedicated processing lanes at southern land border crossings
Using NEXUS lane when entering the United States from Canada by land, and
Using Global Entry kiosks when entering the United States by air
Please note: If you are a Mexican national in SENTRI, you must apply for Global Entry through your Trusted Traveler Programs account.
Eligibility for SENTRI:
There are no citizenship or age requirements for Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection (SENTRI) membership. However, if you are under the age of 18, you must have your parent or legal guardian’s consent to participate in the program.
Reasons for Ineligibility:
You may not be eligible for participation in the SENTRI program if you:
Provide false or incomplete information on the application
Have been convicted of any criminal offense or have pending criminal charges or outstanding warrants (to include driving under the influence)
Have been found in violation of any customs, immigration or agriculture regulations or laws in any country
Are the subject of an ongoing investigation by any federal, state or local law enforcement agency
Have been denied for the purchase of a firearm
Have received a criminal pardon from any country
Are inadmissible to the United States under immigration regulation, including applicants with approved waivers of inadmissibility or parole documentation; or
Cannot satisfy CBP of your low risk status
Children:
There is no minimum age requirement for Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection (SENTRI). However, if you are under the age of 18, you must have your parent or legal guardian’s consent to participate in the program. Your parent or legal guardian does not have to be a SENTRI member.
Regardless of your age, you must create a Trusted Traveler Program (TTP) System account, pay a non-refundable application fee, and schedule an interview at a SENTRI Enrollment Center. If you are under the age of 18, a parent or legal guardian must be present.
Free and Secure Trade (FAST) for Commercial Vehicles:
The Free and Secure Trade (FAST) program is a commercial clearance program for known low-risk shipments entering the United States from Canada and Mexico. Initiated after 9/11, this innovative trusted traveler/trusted shipper program allows expedited processing for commercial carriers who have completed background checks and fulfill certain eligibility requirements. FAST enrollment is open to truck drivers from the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
FAST vehicle lanes process cargo at land border ports of entry that serve commercial cargo. Most dedicated FAST lanes are located in northern border ports in Michigan, New York and Washington and at southern border ports from California to Texas. Participation in FAST requires that every link in the supply chain, from manufacturer to carrier to driver to importer, is certified under the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) program.
CBP routinely conducts on-site visits to domestic and foreign CTPAT member facilities to evaluate and validate their supply-chain security measures. More than 10,000 companies world-wide are certified CTPAT members.
Application for Highway Carriers:
Applications for FAST can be completed and submitted to the Trusted Traveler Program (TTP) website. The cost to apply for FAST membership is $50 (USD or CAD).
C-TPAT Application Qualifications for U.S./Canada Highway Carriers:
Be an active international border crossing U.S./Canada Highway Carrier
Have a business office staffed in the U.S. or Canada
Have an active U.S. National Motor Freight Traffic Association issued Standard Carrier Alpha Code in the following format: #### SCAC Code (4 Alpha Characters)
Have a designated company officer that will be the primary cargo security officer responsible for C-TPAT.
Commit to implementing and maintaining C-TPAT Highway Carrier supply chain security criteria.
Submit your C-TPAT application and required supply chain security profile information via the C-TPAT Online Application Web Portal submission process. Paper Applications for C-TPAT are no longer accepted and will not be processed.
C-TPAT Application Qualifications for U.S./Mexico Highway Carriers:
Be an active U.S./Mexico Highway Carrier that transports goods that are being imported into the United States
Have a business office staffed in the U.S. or Mexico
Have an active U.S. National Motor Freight Traffic Association issued Standard Carrier Alpha Code in the following format: #### SCAC Code (4 Alpha Characters)
Have a designated company officer that will be the primary cargo security officer responsible for C-TPAT
Commit to implementing and maintaining C-TPAT Highway Carrier supply chain security criteria
Submit your C-TPAT application and required supply chain security profile information via the C-TPAT Online Application Web Portal submission process. Paper Applications for C-TPAT are no longer accepted and will not be processed.
Services by Dr. Moran Sciamama Saghiv:
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