Originally Posted by
zkzkz
There's no violation of immigration regulations because they're both US citizens and have a right to enter. You could argue it was a federal crime of not obeying the officers' instructions (in the form of the signs and instructions) but that's would be the same federal offense as using a cell phone in line.
I disagree. I am not an attorney, but I am pretty sure that entering the country without presenting oneself for FIS (Passport Control, Customs, and Agriculture) inspection is a violation of federal law.
Here is an analogy:
If I am trying to cross the land border from Canada, and instead of entering through an official port of entry, I drive half a mile up the road and walk across a deserted section of the border, I have broken federal law. Anybody entering the country must use an official entry point and submit to FIS inspection. It doesn't matter if I am a US Citizen with a right to enter. I still have to be inspected to make sure I am not carrying anything prohibited and/or restricted. I could face fines, arrest, etc.
Here is a picture of a sign at the US-Canadian border explaining what I describe above.
Remember that nowadays there is no separate "immigration" check. Passport control and customs functions are performed by the same agency, Customs and Border Protection. Agricultural inspections might be performed by CBP officers as well at certain ports of entry, or might be performed by USDA officers.