Does TSA know your immigration status?

The TSA checks passengers' identity and whether a passenger has a boarding pass; generally, they are not screening for immigration status.



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U.S. law requires air carriers operating flights to, from, or through the United States to provide the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), with certain passenger reservation information, called Passenger Name Record (PNR) data.

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You will pass through a US immigration checkpoint shortly after you exit the plane. Make sure you have all your required papers in order and ready to show to the CBP agent in the airport when the time comes. Remember to pack the documents you need to enter the US in your carry-on luggage for easy access.

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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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The TSA officer may ask you to complete an identity verification process which includes collecting information such as your name, current address, and other personal information to confirm your identity.

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When a CAT unit is in use, a TSA officer will ask travelers to provide their photo IDs. The officer will insert each photo ID into the CAT unit where the ID is scanned and analyzed.

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What Information Do Immigration Officers in the U.S. Have?
  • Name.
  • Country of citizenship.
  • Home address.
  • Date of birth.
  • Method of travel.
  • Purpose of travel.


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Upon arriving at the Customs and Border Protection, you may expect to be asked the following questions:
  • Why Are You Visiting the United States? ...
  • Where Will You Be Staying While in the U.S.? ...
  • Who Will You Be Visiting While in the U.S.? ...
  • How Long Will You Be Staying in the U.S.?


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It's important to remember to hand in your paper I-94 when leaving the United States, since that's how the U.S. government will track your departure and know that you left the country before your visa expired. You'll use information from your I-94 travel record for many immigration purposes.

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The airlines computer system may use the information to flag to staff to carry out a manual documentation check to make sure that you have a suitable visa in your passport for the destination you are travelling to, in addition to meeting any other conditions for travel (eg, return/onward ticket).

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Yes, airlines have access to a passenger's future and previous travel history - but only as far as that airline is concerned.

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Passport records do not include evidence of travel such as entrance or exit stamps, visas, or residence permits.

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Here are some steps you should take if you are detained at the airport by immigration:
  1. Ask to speak with an immigration attorney and do not sign anything until you speak to an attorney. ...
  2. Do not take a voluntary departure without speaking to an attorney. ...
  3. You have the right to contact an attorney or your family.


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In regards to the entry into the United States, immigration agents will not always stamp the passport, but they do record entry into the country. In the case of departures (mainly on commercial planes or ships), the transport companies are in charge of passing on the departure information of the passengers.

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Travelers then bring their passport and receipt to a CBP Officer to finalize their inspection for entry into the United States.

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Apply for TSA PreCheck
TSA PreCheck is one of a few government-run trusted traveler programs, designed to allow members to use expedited security lanes at more than 200 U.S. airports. With TSA PreCheck, you can speed through security without removing your shoes, laptops, belts or jacket.

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