What US Immigration Officers See on Screen at Border Control (2024)

To determine whether you are allowed to enter the U.S., immigration officers may check a lot of information about you. They have access to several databases, including FBI databases.

You might be concerned about what U.S. immigration officers can see on their screens at border control. If so, you will want to know about the databases and details they have access to.

Understanding the Interagency Collaboration in U.S. Border Control

U.S. border control operates through extensive interagency collaboration, integrating data from various national and international sources to enhance border security. This collaboration involves several key databases and agencies working together to provide comprehensive information on individuals entering the U.S.

What Databases Do U.S. Immigration Officers Have Access to?

Immigration officers can access several different databases to check personal, criminal, and other details about you before you cross the U.S. border. One of the primary databases they use is one the FBI uses, called the National Crime Information Center (NCIC). This database is an index of criminal justice information, such as criminal record history.

Additionally, the immigration officers have access to:

  • The Terrorist Screening Database the FBI uses
  • The Border Crossing Information system of records
  • The Interagency Border Inspection System
  • Other databases, including some created by other international organizations

What Information Do Immigration Officers in the U.S. Have?

U.S. immigration officers collect or verify basic personal information about you whenever you cross the U.S. border. This basic information includes your:

  • Name
  • Country of citizenship
  • Home address
  • Date of birth
  • Method of travel
  • Purpose of travel

The computers the immigration officers use to analyze this information is to determine whether you could be considered suspicious or a potential security threat.

When You are Considered Suspicious or a Potential Threat

Further information about you will be collected if a customs official believes you are suspicious or a potential security threat and inspects or searches you. This other information could be:

  • The fact that you were considered suspicious or a potential threat
  • Any determinations or findings after your inspection or search
  • The personal information of your travel companions
  • Details about anything else the official did

Additional Information an Officer Can Get About You

If an officer believes there is a reason to get even more information about you, they may be able to get:

  • Any criminal history you have
  • Your citizenship status
  • Employment information
  • Your phone numbers
  • Your property records
  • Credit card data
  • Your social media history
  • Information about your family members

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What US Immigration Officers See on Screen at Border Control (2) (623) 742-5400

Your Privacy and Protection Concerns

You may have concerns about your privacy at the border, and you might be wondering whether your information should be protected. The truth is that the government can legally collect information at the border about you, including your personal and criminal details. Also, for personal information collected at the border, a court may not grant you the same protections they would grant you for personal information collected elsewhere.

Additionally, some of your information may be passed to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) so they can detect any insurance fraud or a stolen vehicle.

If you have concerns about how your personal information is gathered and handled, you may be able to get a copy of your file from an agency and review the information in it. However, it may be difficult for you to get this file.

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How an Immigration Attorney from Our Firm Can Help You

One of the immigration attorneys from our law firm may be able to help you obtain your personal information record from one of the agencies that collect this kind of information. According to the United States’ Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), you have the right to view this information. You can submit a FOIA request to get this information, or you can get an attorney from our firm to do it for you.

One of the first things your immigration lawyer will do is help you determine what kind of information you want to request. Afterward, your lawyer will help you make your request. The more detailed you and your lawyer are in your request, the better.

There is more one of our immigration law lawyers may be able to do for you. First, if for whatever reason, you believe you were placed on a watch list wrongly, an attorney may be able to contest some of the contents of your file. If you believe your rights were violated, one of our attorneys can investigate the matter. Finally, if you need any legal advice, reach out to us.

Contact New Frontier Immigration Law for Help Today

You can contact us about any matters we have mentioned or any immigration-related issues. Our immigration attorneys want to protect your rights and privacy and defend you against any threat of deportation. If you believe your residency in the U.S. is under any threat, do not hesitate to contact us.

Upon calling us, we will ask you if you would like to have a case evaluation and strategic session with us. If so, we will tell you more about our immigration attorneys and what they will be able to do for you. So call New Frontier Immigration Law today.

What US Immigration Officers See on Screen at Border Control (2024)

FAQs

What US Immigration Officers See on Screen at Border Control? ›

So they look at the DS-160 and they're going to see your employment. They're going to see your education. They're going to see your prior travel history. They're going to see your family members in the U.S. All these questions that you've answered when you fill out your DS-160.

What do US visa officers see on their screen? ›

So they look at the DS-160 and they're going to see your employment. They're going to see your education. They're going to see your prior travel history. They're going to see your family members in the U.S. All these questions that you've answered when you fill out your DS-160.

What does border control check for? ›

Traffic Checkpoints

Traffic checks are conducted on major highways leading away from the border to (1) detect and apprehend individuals attempting to travel further into the interior of the United States after evading detection at the border and (2) to detect illegal narcotics.

What do US immigration officers look for? ›

CBP officers must determine the nationality of each applicant for admission and, if determined to be an alien, whether or not the applicant meets the requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act for admission to the United States.

What can they see when they scan a passport? ›

The passport data page includes all the important information, such as name, surname, nationality, passport number, etc. This section is often called the Visual Inspection Zone.

How to answer U.S. customs questions? ›

Common Questions Asked by CBP Officers

Be prepared to answer straightforward questions about your visit: Purpose of Visit: Clearly state your reason for visiting (e.g., tourism, business, education). Duration of Stay: Know your travel dates and when you plan to leave the US.

Does immigration look at your phone? ›

What about the data on my phone, computer, or other electronic device? CBP agents may swipe through your phone or look through the documents on your com- puter. The government also claims the authority to copy the data on your electronic devices.

How to greet a visa officer? ›

When your turn for the interview comes, enter the room with a smile, and greet the officer with a warm hello or hi. S/he may ask you 'How are you doing'. Reply politely and thank them for asking. If your visa is granted, thank them politely and leave.

Do you have to answer questions at border control? ›

At Ports of Entry (Border Crossings)

Even though you always have the right to remain silent, if you don't answer questions to establish your citizenship, officials may deny you entry to the U.S. or detain you for search and/or questioning.

What questions do U.S. border guards ask? ›

Prepare for Likely Questions From U.S. CBP Officials
  • Why are you visiting the United States? ...
  • Where will you be staying? ...
  • Who will you be visiting? ...
  • How long will you be staying in the U.S.? If you're coming in with an immigrant visa (have been approved for U.S. permanent residence), you won't likely be asked this.

How do you know if you are flagged by CBP? ›

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.

What do US immigration officers see on their screen? ›

In addition to your identifying information, they can see your travel history (more detailed than just the stamps on the pages), as well as past customs infractions, and notes entered by previous officers.

What comes up in an immigration background check? ›

The background and security checks include collecting fingerprints and requesting a “name check” from the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI). In addition, USCIS conducts other inter-agency criminal background and security checks on all applicants for naturalization.

What are 4 questions the immigration officer might have asked in the legal interview? ›

Officers can ask a vast range of questions, but here are some examples:
  • How, where, and when did you meet your spouse?
  • Where did your first date take place?
  • How long did were you with your spouse before getting married?
  • When and where were you married?
  • Did you go on a honeymoon? ...
  • What is your spouse's current job?
Jul 18, 2024

What does Border Patrol look for in a background check? ›

The background investigation will include credit and criminal history checks, records checks to verify citizenship of members, verification of date of birth, education, employment history, and military history.

Can border control check your phone? ›

CBP agents may swipe through your phone or look through the documents on your com- puter. The government also claims the authority to copy the data on your electronic devices.

Does your criminal record show up when your passport is scanned? ›

Generally, criminal offenses (including DUIs) do not appear on passports. While a DUI conviction does not appear on your passport, it can still affect your international travel.

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