Secondary Inspection at the U.S. Port of Entry

In most cases, international students and scholars have been able to enter the U.S. Port of Entry (POE) without delay after a primary (or basic) inspection. However, if the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer at the POE cannot quickly verify your eligibility for admission to the United States, you may be directed to an interview area known as “secondary inspection.”

The secondary inspection allows CBP officers to check for additional information without slowing down the primary inspection line and does not necessarily indicate a serious problem.

Some reasons for referral to secondary inspection:

• Document issues
  • You may be referred to secondary inspection if you do not have all required documents or those documents are no longer valid.
  • If students are missing a required document, the CBP officer may issue a Form I-515A. This document allows you to have temporary admission into the United States for 30 days.
  • Please note, that this is at the CBP officer’s discretion; they could also deny entry into the U.S.
• A more comprehensive systems check is needed
  • If an F/J student/scholar’s SEVIS record has been updated recently, that may not be visible in the system used in the primary inspection. This could trigger a referral to secondary inspection for a more comprehensive systems check.
• Possible inadmissibility
  • If the CBP officer believes that you may be inadmissible to the U.S., you may be referred to secondary inspection for a more detailed conversation.
  • Grounds for inadmissibility include previous violations of immigration status, indications that your planned activities in the U.S. are not appropriate for the immigration status in which you plan to enter, possible fraud or misrepresentation, narcotics seizure, or unauthorized employment.
• Baggage issues
  • This includes attempts to enter the U.S. with prohibited or restricted items, as described on this CBP webpage.

TO AVOID PROBLEMS WHEN ENTERING THE UNITED STATES

• Make sure that you have all required documents when entering and make sure your documents are all valid (signed if appropriate; unexpired; visas with multiple or remaining entries)
• Answer any questions the CBP officer may ask. Officers cannot admit someone if they refuse to answer questions, and travelers need to answer truthfully
• If the CBP officer needs to contact U-M for additional information or verification, the officer can contact the International Center during business hours or can contact the U-M Department of Public Safety and Security (DPSS) outside of normal business hours at (734) 763-1131. DPSS will be able to reach an International Center staff member to answer the officer’s questions and to assist you.
• Be careful to not attempt to bring prohibited or restricted items into the U.S.
• Review “When Entering or Reentering the U.S.” in the “Be prepared for Border Security” section of International Travel with Technology