Twice as many people are getting kicked out of Global Entry as are joining. “revocations are on pace to increase 144% [vs. 2020], or almost double the rate of enrollment.”
- If your Global Entry gets revoked you can appeal
- You need to show why the revocation was an error
- But they don’t tell you why your Global Entry was revoked
Still, the errors are often so egregious that 39% of appeals are successful. And sometimes the reason is obvious (e.g. “a package he ordered from Shein was held by Customs for being a potential counterfeit item”).
When the government considers you for Global Entry there are really two separate things they are evaluating. The program makes you a ‘trusted traveler’ and that comes with expedited airport security (less scrutiny, you don’t take off shoes or take out liquids, and don’t have to go through body scanners) and expedited immigration and customs. They want to know that you aren’t a security risk, and also that you’re not likely to violate customs rules.
That can lead to some odd things in your history keeping you out of the program, or getting you kicked out of the program. A conviction for driving under the influence in the past decade is a conviction, and that’s a risk flag. So is violating any customs rule of any kind… like buying a Starbucks mug online where the mug turned out not to be an authentic Starbucks item.
Customs isn’t just enforcing agriculture rules to keep out dangerous diseases. They’re enforcing corporate intellectual property.
You can lose Global Entry for complaining about a customs officer. Putting an apple from your flight in your bag, and then not declaring it can cost you your Global Entry. So can attempting a coup against the United States. All, apparently, equivalent threats with the same consequence.
Homeland Security does continuous checks on Global Entry members, and may uncover a past conviction that wasn’t disclosed during the application (generally minor offenses over 10 years old, such as a DUI, are fine if you disclose them) or a new conviction. Breaking program rules or rules in the immigration hall such as failing to declare items or bringing ineligible family members with you into the Global Entry queues can get you kicked out if the customs officer decides to make an issue of it.
If your appeal fails, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that DHS decisions on Global Entry are subject to judicial review. So maybe lawyer up if you’re willing to pay for the right.
“So can attempting a coup against the United States.”
Hmm… so, you can get a pardon for (basically, treason), but, no more PreCheck. Bah!
I’m a little worried. I was at the USPC in Dublin a few months back and had some takeaway from the airport. The officer said “anything to declare” and I said no. She points at the takeaway and says “yes you do”. I had intended to eat it on the plane, not realizing that the customs check was in DUB. I apologized, but she proceeded to go on a rant about how I was “conspiring” to take food into the US illegally and how “this could cost me my global entry”. That said, I apologized and nodded politely, and never heard again.
Am I done for? Renewal this year.
Me and my wife global Entry renewal happen so quickly. Maybe a day or two. As you article mention they do continuous monitoring and i guess nothing showed in our travels.
@John — Oh, that’s dirty; yeah, once in preclearance, you are technically entering the ‘USA,’ even though, obviously, but for our human-constructs, you are still very much on the island of Ireland. Hope it does not affect you at all. Other countries, like Australia, would have fined you $1,000 AUD on the spot. Zero tolerance, mate.
@John. Analogy: If a cop is yelling at you for a minor traffic violation, they are jawboning you instead of writing a ticket.
Most likely, the fact the customs officer was yelling at you means she will not report you.
Good luck man.
There is a very real chance for some Global Entry members to lose the status for failure to declare food at the CBP Preclearance airports outside of the US even if the plan is to eat the restricted food before even boarding the flight.
Maybe some at the FT Moderator Do today will mention their Global Entry status being pulled? Probably won’t be mentioned on the live stream that is upcoming.
@ John (and others) – I don’t get this. If you’ve already gone through security and are in the ‘sterile’ part of the terminal, I thought you were at liberty to purchase items for onward travel. Wouldn’t this include a bottled water, the ever-present Toblerone, or a cup of Starbucks?
Ids there any notification of this at the USPC in Dublin airport? It should be posted in letters 2 feet high, with flashing neon lights.
Live stream archive.
@GUWonder — Hope all goes well today! Full-report afterwards! *wink*
My renewal was approved in less than 24 hours I was shocked it happened that fast even though I had a year left on mine.