14940674

GE members receive less scrutiny at the border than regular travelers. One of the purposes of CBP inspections is to find prohibited items that travelers have brought in, whether intentionally or not. To grant you GE, and a less scrutinized passage across the border, CBP must be confident that there will be nothing prohibited in your luggage, since they won't have the opportunity to inspect your luggage at the border. The history they have on file did not give them that confidence, so you were denied.

RandomBaritone

Understood, and there's no doubt your story rings true. But I'd understand if CBP chose to draw a bright line for participation, and those with any customs violations, no matter how minor, unfortunately put some who probably didn't deserve it in the "denied" pool.

But that's what the ombudsperson is for. From what I've heard, it can take several months to get a response, and in the vast majority of cases it's a tight-lipped confirmation of the original denial.

Jade_BR

That's disheartening. The denial letter says to contact the enrollment center and ask for an interview with a supervisor. I hope that i can at least meet with someone and explain. I've left two voicemails today, but no response yet. I will continue to call until I at least hear back from someone... fingers crossed...

Ari

Isn't GE membership good for 5 years? Why would you have to renew 2 years later?

drewguy

While ordinarily I agree that even "minor" customs violations are appropriate basis for disqualification, I am somewhat sympathetic to an "innocent spouse"-like defense.

RandomBaritone

I certainly had no luck there; the "team lead" refused to meet with me in person. I relayed that my denial letter had mentioned meeting with the local GE office as a first step, and she angrily suggested that's what our phone conversation was.

"Fine," I said, "let's talk about my case. I've never even had a minor brush with the law, so you can see how --"

But she cut me off, saying my only recourse was the ombudsperson. It left me frustrated as to why the bureaucracy is so unaccountable. Paradoxically, I think someone like yourself with a specific incident to point to may have a better time with an appeal. For all I know they've mixed me up with someone else, but they can't say whom.

flyingpolarbear

Actually, in my research I found that it is relatively common to be denied/revoked without the person having any clue why. You're not the only one.

I wonder if GE has any idea how much anxiety this causes people, when they won't state a reason.

mike_L

So, it appeared that you were approved previously dispite the "2009 CBP violation". If there was a record, you wouldn't be approved in in the first place, let alone the renewal drama, am I missing anything?

Jade_BR

No, I am confused by that as well. Add to that the fact that I have now left close to 10 voicemails at the Dulles Enrollment Center without a call back, and I'm getting positively paranoid.

No word from the ombudsman either but another FTers said it can take months. Hoping I will at least get a call back this century. I have several international flights in the near future and I'm concerned about additional screening (=delay), my connection times aren't so great.

bvipirate

You enrolled in GE during 2011. Global Entry membership is 5 years. Why would you be required to start the renewal process 21/2 to 3 years ahead of the expiration of your current membership? You are not even allowed to start the renewal process more than 1 year out. Makes no sense.

Jade_BR

I don't get it either. I got the following email on May 15:

Your Trusted Traveler membership will be expiring soon. If you wish to renew your membership, you will need to log onto the GOES website at https://goes-app.cbp.dhs.gov/main/goes to submit your renewal application.

This is an automated email. Please do not reply.

So I went and started the renewal process...

Jade_BR

And here is the letter of approval I received:

Aug 23, 2011


WASHINGTON DULLES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
International Arrivals
Sterling, VA 20166
US


Re: You have been approved to participate in the Global Entry program Membership #XXXXXXXX

Dear XXXXXXXXXX :

We are pleased to inform you that your U. S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Global Entry program membership has been approved. You may use the program as soon as you receive and activate your new Global Entry card.

If you enrolled in Global Entry, you may begin using the kiosk immediately. Global Entry cards are only issued to Global Entry members who are U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents or Mexican Nationals (who are not current SENTRI members). Global Entry cards are not valid at the Global Entry kiosks.

Please visit globalentry.gov to review the program criteria for detail information.

As a reminder, you must closely adhere to the program requirements and any violation of law or regulation may lead to the revocation of your program participation, and could result in the issuance of a penalty, seizure action, or criminal prosecution. Please periodically review the program requirements provided during your enrollment interview.

Thank you for applying to the CBP's Trusted Traveler Programs. For more information regarding Global Entry, please contact an enrollment center nearest you, or visit globalentry.gov.

Respectfully,



Director, Trusted Traveler Programs
U. S. Customs and Border Protection

mi88ke

Ditto. Further, it appears that GE expires on ones birth date, not the 5-yr anniversary of the approval date. So if one is approved right after his/her birther day, the GE membership could be close to 6 years. For example, mine has a validity period of 5 years and 9 months.

Jade_BR

That is correct. My expiration showed on the website as my birthday this year. But, as pointed out, that is only 2 years after my approval in 2011. I'm confused as heck.

drewguy

Speculation here, but perhaps CBP associated the violation with your GE profile and that triggered a renewal request that was a basis for denying your renewal.