Originally Posted by Lbruce1

I even felt comfortable enough to make a small joke about back in the day how I used to look forward to getting “printed” since that usually meant I would be bailed out soon. Hardy, har, har.

Originally Posted by Lbruce1

He continues, “What is your year of birth?”

“1963.”

“Well everything matches up with your fingerprint analysis. In 1968, you, or a person with your fingers, was arrested in Clarksburg, West Virginia for simple assault. Accordingly, I must deny your application.”

Can make this sh*t up. 1968? Someone with my fingers???

I’m stunned. “Sir, you’re telling me that when I was 5 years old, this toddler from PA, who never lived a day of his life in West Virginia, was arrested and “did a stretch” for simple assault. Does that seem logical? Reasonable?”

“Sir, I can only base my decision on the facts in front of me, ” was the last thing he said as he escorted me out of my chair and out of the office.

So that impatient guy at the end of the security line at the airport?

Yea, that’ll be me for the foreseeable future.

On the other hand, maybe this explains the tattoo looking “birthmark” on my neck that looks suspiciously like a gang sign.

Originally Posted by Pesky Monkey

Yes. Do a search in the forum. Various convictions within 10 years will result in a denial.

Originally Posted by oldercal

Is the 10 year gap consistently followed? It's 30 year for me. I went through the expunging of the conviction but was told that law enforcement staff would still know of it--does Global Entry come under that bracket? I paid to have one of the conviction search engines look for me but it said there was no conviction on line. Anybody know about this?

Originally Posted by dnLwire

If your Crime was in Los Angeles or in California it's still going to come up. You need to check your records and see if it was updated to show it was dismissed. What I would do in your case is pay to have a FBI background check. It's like $18. Like that you can have an idea how it will come up. If it doesn't come up correctly you will need to go court and request for them to update your records. Once thats done and everything is fixed and you're feeling lucky or don't care about blowing $100 you can apply. Make sure you list all your arrest and convictions on you app. The process is going to take months and you will need to provide them with copies of your court paper work. I can tell you from my case it took 3 months from start to finish, but I was approved.

Originally Posted by Lbruce1

He continues, “What is your year of birth?”

“1963.”

“Well everything matches up with your fingerprint analysis. In 1968, you, or a person with your fingers, was arrested in Clarksburg, West Virginia for simple assault. Accordingly, I must deny your application.”

Can make this sh*t up. 1968? Someone with my fingers???

I’m stunned. “Sir, you’re telling me that when I was 5 years old, this toddler from PA, who never lived a day of his life in West Virginia, was arrested and “did a stretch” for simple assault. Does that seem logical? Reasonable?”

“Sir, I can only base my decision on the facts in front of me, ” was the last thing he said as he escorted me out of my chair and out of the office.

Originally Posted by ILovetheReds

Is there a link to get an FBI check ordered

I was also told you could get approved if u only had one misdemeanor on you record even if it was unexpunged if it was at least ten years old. Is that true? I have a charge from 1986 that was phone harassment pleaded to disorderly conduct. I don't want to mess around with legal fees to get this expunged if I don't have to

Originally Posted by Lbruce1

At this point he has me place both hands on the finger print scanning machine, first the left hand, then the right, both thumbs. I even felt comfortable enough to make a small joke about back in the day how I used to look forward to getting “printed” since that usually meant I would be bailed out soon. Hardy, har, har.

Originally Posted by mc2004

So I told the officer I was arrested, that it was 15 years ago, all of the charges were dropped and the case was sealed and arrest record erased. I said I didn't know if he could see this or not, but I wanted to be forthright and honest with him. He said ok and handed me my stuff and said have a good day. I figured at that point I was denied. About an hour later I got the approval email. So if I had to recommend a course of action, I would say go with the truth.

Originally Posted by mc2004

I spent a good portion of the day reading this thread, and wanted to add my experiences as another data point. I do appreciate everyone being willing to share details about themselves that they may not be so proud of (I know I am certainly not proud of my past transgressions). So I applied for the GE program about 6 weeks ago, had my appointment. They went through the process explaining the program etc. Then they asked about customs violations which I have none. Then they asked about convictions, which I have none. Next they asked about arrests. In the past I was arrested and charged with some pretty hefty offenses, but all of the charges were dismissed and the records destroyed (supposedly). I wasn't sure what I was going to say after reading the experiences here, but I figured I would rather go down for the truth rather than for telling a lie. So I told the officer I was arrested, that it was 15 years ago, all of the charges were dropped and the case was sealed and arrest record erased. I said I didn't know if he could see this or not, but I wanted to be forthright and honest with him. He said ok and handed me my stuff and said have a good day. I figured at that point I was denied. About an hour later I got the approval email. So if I had to recommend a course of action, I would say go with the truth.

Originally Posted by MarkB876

Great post! I'v been on the fence for a few months contemplating applying for GE and this post helps to push me a bit to seal the deal. For clarification, if my FBI background check is absolutely clean (just got back finger print check), and I have 1 arrest record (no conviction) and arrest record was expunged a few years ago, I should be OK for GE, correct?

Questions:

Is the only criminal background check made is an FBI check for GE?
What other database should I expunged (if any) if I need to apply for GE?
Has anyone here who had an arrest record (not convictions) denied being arrested on the application/at the interview, (b/c they know their FBI background check is clean), received GE approval.

I'm just weighing my options before applying.

Originally Posted by Eric Westby

My husband and I were denied GE without explanation as well. The ombudsman's office refused to reconsider or provide any further information. Maddening, since as I mention upthread, neither of us has ever had any legal trouble.

In our case, however, 80% of the reason we wanted it was Pre-Check, and when I went ahead and applied for the standalone Pre-Check program I was quickly accepted. YMMV, but I'd go ahead and apply for Pre-Check if you think you'll find it useful.

Originally Posted by Lbruce1

This happened to me today. Makes me wonder how safe we actually are flying these days. I know its long, just hang in til the end.

So today I had an interview with the Department of Homeland Security to finalize my application to be a “Trusted Traveler”.

So I arrive in time for my 10:45 am interview (btw, it took 6 weeks from my initial application/conditional approval to schedule an appointment) and US Customs Officer Friendly seats me in the little booth. Everything is casual and relaxed as he has me recite my name, date of birth, city of birth, etc. We are moving right through the process; he’s describing the benefits of the program, how it will work when I am returning from Denmark, Mexico and Canada, I’ll get a card in the mail in three weeks time, yada, yada yada.

At this point he has me place both hands on the finger print scanning machine, first the left hand, then the right, both thumbs. I even felt comfortable enough to make a small joke about back in the day how I used to look forward to getting “printed” since that usually meant I would be bailed out soon. Hardy, har, har.

At this point I couldn’t help but notice Officer Friendly’s eyebrows furrow as he began typing at a more urgent pace. Quickly he fell into a rhythm of frantic typing, looking at me, frantic typing, looking at his monitor, frantic typing accompanied by slumped shoulders, looking at me, etc. When he finally spoke, his voice took on the tone of Officer “Getting Less” Friendly.

“Mr. Mxxxxx, it appears you neglected to include on your application a short “stretch” you did in a state penitentiary in West Virginia? “

I clear my throat as I try to understand what he has just said. “Uh, what?”

“Mr. Mxxxx, it’s all here, so it’s best just to tell me about it.”

“Uh, what?”

“Have you ever been arrested for simple assault?”

I’m racking my brain now. I’m certain my attorney at the time said it was a only a harassment charge. “I don’t think so. When?”

“Do you have a scar on your right wrist?”

I look at the scar on my right wrist.

Heart rate increasing.

“Uh yea, how did you know”? I crane my neck to try and see his computer monitor. In perfect sync he turns it away from me.

“I told you its all right here.”

He continues, “What is your year of birth?”

“1963.”

“Well everything matches up with your fingerprint analysis. In 1968, you, or a person with your fingers, was arrested in Clarksburg, West Virginia for simple assault. Accordingly, I must deny your application.”

Can make this sh*t up. 1968? Someone with my fingers???

I’m stunned. “Sir, you’re telling me that when I was 5 years old, this toddler from PA, who never lived a day of his life in West Virginia, was arrested and “did a stretch” for simple assault. Does that seem logical? Reasonable?”

“Sir, I can only base my decision on the facts in front of me, ” was the last thing he said as he escorted me out of my chair and out of the office.

So that impatient guy at the end of the security line at the airport?

Yea, that’ll be me for the foreseeable future.

On the other hand, maybe this explains the tattoo looking “birthmark” on my neck that looks suspiciously like a gang sign.