What does US Customs see when they scan my passport?

The officer sees results from the first two scans—radiation and license plate—and follows up with the traveler's documents and questions about what they are bringing across the border. Currently, the officer compares the documents with records in CBP's database—just as it's done in the pedestrian lanes.
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What information comes up when your passport is scanned?

There are multiple purposes for scanning the passport: They confirm the legitimacy of the document. It pulls up your record in their internal/system databases. It pulls up your immigration history.
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Does passport show travel history when scanned?

Answer: The Department of State does not keep records of citizens' travels. The only record of your travels is your passport containing entry and exit stamps. The immigration office of the country/s you traveled to MAY be able to provide you with information on your entry into their borders.
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What happens when your passport is scanned at the airport?

Travelers are prompted to scan their passport, take a photograph using the kiosk, and answer a series of CBP inspection related questions verifying biographic and flight information. Once passengers have completed the series of questions, a receipt will be issued.
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What can US Customs see?

What Types of Information Can a Customs Officer See?
  • Your name.
  • Date of birth.
  • Citizenship.
  • Address.
  • Mode of travel.
  • Purpose of travel.
  • Value of goods purchased abroad.
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US Customs Refusal. “Everything you need is on my passport” (part 1) tyrant gets mad



What do customs officers look for?

In fact, the CBP assesses all people who arrive by airplane, overland vehicle, ship or on foot and want to enter the U.S. The job of U.S. customs agents is to search for banned agricultural products and counterfeit goods, but they also are trained to seize street and pharmaceutical drugs, illegal immigrants and ...
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How do you know if you are flagged by customs?

There are signs that will indicate you have been flagged for additional screenings: You were not able to print a boarding pass from an airline ticketing kiosk or from the internet. You were denied or delayed boarding. A ticket agent “called someone” before handing you a boarding pass.
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How does the US know if you overstay your visa?

Travel Records

It's pretty easy for foreigners in the U.S. to know if they've overstayed their visas. All they need to do is look at their I-94 arrival and departure cards, which clearly state how long they can stay.
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What information is stored on my passport?

The passport chip contains biometric information that is used to authenticate the identity of the passport holder. Your important information is printed on the data page of the passport and stored in the chip. This includes your name, date of birth and other biographic information.
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Can US citizens check their travel history?

Apply for or Retrieve Form I-94, Request Travel History and Check Travel Compliance. International travelers visiting the United States can apply for or retrieve their I-94 admission number/record (which is proof of legal visitor status) as well as retrieve a limited travel history of their U.S. arrivals and departures ...
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Does your passport track where you have been?

Usually you only get "the look" by the passport checking official. Even if you emigrate your country does not know by default about your whereabouts, unless you explicitly register at the consulate of your country.
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What does it mean to have a flagged passport?

If a passport is "flagged" the port of entry agent is to always conduct a secondary inspection. It means that there does not have to be probable case or a randum seach set up - both done because of civil liberties suits.
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What do US immigration officers look for?

The CBP officer will inspect your passport, looking for verification that you've been given permission to be in the U.S., and ask you questions designed to elicit any information that might prohibit you from entering.
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Does my passport have RFID?

Since August 2007, all U.S. passports have come embedded with an RFID chip, intended to deter fraud and improve security. The chip contains the same information as on the passport's picture page, including a digital version of your passport photograph.
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Can you go to jail for overstaying your visa?

You may receive a “final order of removal” should the United States government realize you are unlawfully present. This edict requires you to leave the country within 90 days of its issuing. Ignoring or defying this order can lead to even greater consequences, including fines and up to 4 years of jail time.
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Can I come back to the US if I overstayed?

Overstays & Unlawful Presence

If you enter the United States with a valid visa (for example, a tourist or student visa) and overstay by less than 180 days, your visa will be considered void and you'll need to get a new visa in your home country if you want to come back to the United States.
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What happens if you stay illegal in US?

If you spend more than 180 days and up to 365 days of unlawful presence in the United States, you'll face a 3-year bar. If you have a year or more of unlawful presence, you won't be able to come back to the country for ten years when you leave.
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Why do I keep getting stopped at customs?

Generally, customs officers may stop people at the border to determine whether they are admissible to the United States, and they may search people's belongings for contraband. This is true even if there is nothing suspicious about you or your luggage.
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Does US customs go through your luggage?

When you board your flight, you'll go through a typical security process: checking your luggage and declaring there's nothing hazardous in it, scanning carry-on bags and so on. Beyond the usual questions about hazardous items in luggage, you won't need to declare anything else you're leaving the country with.
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How do you get past customs?

8 Ways to Breeze Through Customs Quickly
  1. Travel Light. ...
  2. Ditch the Food. ...
  3. Track Your Spending. ...
  4. Avoid Farms. ...
  5. Put Your Phone Away. ...
  6. Apply for Global Entry. ...
  7. Check Your Baggage Requirements with Your Airline. ...
  8. Know Where You're Staying.
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How do customs decide who to search?

Some customs agencies decide which travellers to search based on random chance. You are asked to press a button on a machine that activates a random number generator. Depending on the number that comes up, either a green light comes on and you can pass through or a red light comes on and the agent searches your bags.
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What questions do customs ask?

Here are five common questions every traveler should always plan on being asked by a customs officer upon arrival.
  • 01 of 05. What Is the Purpose of Your Trip? ...
  • 02 of 05. How Long Do You Intend to Stay? ...
  • 03 of 05. Where Will You Be Staying? ...
  • 04 of 05. What Is Your Occupation? ...
  • 05 of 05. Do You Have Anything to Declare?
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Can customs check your bank account?

US border agents are asking travelers to hand over their phones and access to their online accounts – be it Facebook, bank accounts, text messages and/or photos – according to a Houston immigration lawyer.
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Can immigration check your text messages?

If you are at U.S. port of entry or under investigation DHS may be able to view your phone calls and text messages. DHS also views your social media information.
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What do they check in US port of entry?

The airport you arrive at is a Port of "Entry" where CBP officers are responsible for verifying the entry and exit of visitors. You must always hand-carry all important documents such as your passport, tickets, IDs and comply with the rules and regulations to minimize delays at the port of entry.
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