Secondary inspection

[Bzlibem 111]

Hello friends, 

I was wondering if any of you had applied for DHS TRIP, known as a Redress Number?

I’ve just came back from my second trip abroad as a PR and for a second time I was sent to the secondary inspection room, where I spent 40 minutes before being let go. Same thing happened to me in January. I have completely no idea why as because I do not have a common name or any affiliations. I asked the officer but he gave me no answer whatsoever. Is there any way to avoid it next time? Any advice would be helpful!

[canadian_wife 1,822]

I had been a PR for almost 5 years when I applied for citizenship.  I had been hauled in to secondary twice while I was a PR when returning from Canada.  I had a very nice agent the last time when I asked him what the issue was , and how can I avoid this issue?".  He replied "only US citizens are guaranteed entrance in to the US". 

 

In short, it may happen again.  No guarantees until you are a US citizen.

 

Good luck 

Edited June 9, 2018 by canadian_wife

[Alabamak1 688]

4 minutes ago, canadian_wife said:

I had been a PR for almost 5 years when I applied for citizenship.  I had been hauled in to secondary twice while I was a PR when returning from Canada.  I had a very nice agent the last time when I asked him what the issue was , ad how can I avoid this issue?".  He replied "only US citizens are guaranteed entrance in to the US". 

 

In short, it may happen again.  No guarantees until you are a US citizen.

 

Good luck 

Guaranteed  entry yes, that does not mean you are guaranteed not to go to secondary. I also do not have a common name and was stopped many time and went to secondary when i was a PR. What i would suggest is to get clearance and sign up for Global entry. This is not a guarantee of going to secondary or not, but the likelihood is much much smaller.  So far in the almost 5 years i had GE i have not been stopped or send to secondary.  I am USC and did travel about 13 times outside the US in the last 4 - 5 years. The $100 is worth the time spent to get it. It takes me 5 minutes to get from Immigration kiosk to the outside in ATL.

[Bzlibem 111]

1 hour ago, Alabamak1 said:

Guaranteed  entry yes, that does not mean you are guaranteed not to go to secondary. I also do not have a common name and was stopped many time and went to secondary when i was a PR. What i would suggest is to get clearance and sign up for Global entry. This is not a guarantee of going to secondary or not, but the likelihood is much much smaller.  So far in the almost 5 years i had GE i have not been stopped or send to secondary.  I am USC and did travel about 13 times outside the US in the last 4 - 5 years. The $100 is worth the time spent to get it. It takes me 5 minutes to get from Immigration kiosk to the outside in ATL.

Thank you so much! I have just inquired with DHS TRIP, if this doesn’t work I definitely will look into global entry  

[Alabamak1 688]

Just now, Bzlibem said:

Thank you so much! I have just inquired with DHS TRIP, if this doesn’t work I definitely will look into global entry  

Not to sound like a used car salesman, but Global Entry:

 

a) quick entry to the USA, no immigration (just kiosk) answer 4 questions , only customs is the only person you either hand your printout ticket or when so to secondary (very rare)

b) you also get TSA-Precheck included to be used for domestic flight and no need to empty your pocket, take off shoes and get your laptop out of your bag

c) a redress number doesn't give you the above...and since Global Entry is unique on that they have no confusion who you are, make sure no felonies or even misdemeanors as old as they may be because it can cause a denial and you loose $100.

d) GE is available at lots of different airports, so no trip wasted for interviews. 

e) as you can see...very versed in GE 

[Bzlibem 111]

4 hours ago, Alabamak1 said:

Not to sound like a used car salesman, but Global Entry:

 

a) quick entry to the USA, no immigration (just kiosk) answer 4 questions , only customs is the only person you either hand your printout ticket or when so to secondary (very rare)

b) you also get TSA-Precheck included to be used for domestic flight and no need to empty your pocket, take off shoes and get your laptop out of your bag

c) a redress number doesn't give you the above...and since Global Entry is unique on that they have no confusion who you are, make sure no felonies or even misdemeanors as old as they may be because it can cause a denial and you loose $100.

d) GE is available at lots of different airports, so no trip wasted for interviews. 

e) as you can see...very versed in GE 

Damn 😁 ok what about the interview? What kind of questions do they ask? 

[Alabamak1 688]

2 minutes ago, Bzlibem said:

Damn 😁 ok what about the interview? What kind of questions do they ask? 

the questions are pretty straight forward, relating to but not only to work, travels outside the country mainly. Nothing you have to worry about, unless you have some kinda conviction for smoking marihuana or similar drug offense or assault. Anything and everything that has a misdemeanor or more will show up. 

[little immigrant 801]

6 hours ago, Alabamak1 said:

Guaranteed  entry yes, that does not mean you are guaranteed not to go to secondary. I also do not have a common name and was stopped many time and went to secondary when i was a PR. What i would suggest is to get clearance and sign up for Global entry. This is not a guarantee of going to secondary or not, but the likelihood is much much smaller.  So far in the almost 5 years i had GE i have not been stopped or send to secondary.  I am USC and did travel about 13 times outside the US in the last 4 - 5 years. The $100 is worth the time spent to get it. It takes me 5 minutes to get from Immigration kiosk to the outside in ATL.

They can still pull you into secondary questioning with a US passport? 

[Alabamak1 688]

3 minutes ago, little immigrant said:

They can still pull you into secondary questioning with a US passport? 

yes, if you give them enough reasons to do this. It would actually be with customs and not Immigration. It's not outside their job/responsabilities to question any USC or foreigner when coming into the country. I came from a trip back from South America, was ill for days on before i even came back to the US. I was dehydrated and acting weird, because of the runs. To make this story short. The first thing before getting my luggage i was approached by an Immigration officer with a K-9....no smell from the pooch, he went on with his bussiness. Next was a CBP officer and he grilled me on everything under the sun, w/o secondary inspections. He didn't care to know I had the runs and or felt sick to my stomach. For all that was worth it...he didn't even ask for my passport or else. They must have seen me get of a certain flight and i was randomly picked on

[Bzlibem 111]

23 minutes ago, Alabamak1 said:

the questions are pretty straight forward, relating to but not only to work, travels outside the country mainly. Nothing you have to worry about, unless you have some kinda conviction for smoking marihuana or similar drug offense or assault. Anything and everything that has a misdemeanor or more will show up. 

Thank you so much! You’ve been a great help