"Mike November" at border
 

Not sure if there is a more targeted forum, but feel free to move.

Every time I cross the border back into the U.S. my passport alerts, causing me to receive extra questions, usually after being redirected into a back room.

Every time I've asked why, or if there was anything I can do differently, the agents have shrugged or said they had no idea.

Last week, preparing to board a flight in Vancouver B.C., after seeing the alert, the U.S. border agent asked a co-worker "is Mike November still a mandatory referral?" He wouldn't tell me what that meant, and I was again referred for extra questioning (including questions about my "tats" - I don't have any ink).

Any idea what this is and/or anthing I can do to avoid it?

Thanks.

NATO phonetic alphabet
M="Mike"
N= "November"

Thus, some acronym of "MN". Hopefully doesn't mean the state !

Yeah, I've been pondering MN (Mismatched Name, Mustached Normally, Metal kNee?)

My wife has now taken to calling me Mike November, saying it's my secret spy identity.

Are you sure it was Mike November and not November Mike? (Name Match)

It may have been November Mike, although my ticketed name matches my passport name, with the exception of middle initial on the ticket, middle name on the passport - Thanks for the link - I appreciate that.

It might not be an issue with your ticketed name matching your travel document, but that the name matches or is similar to someone on a watch list. Especially since you mentioned in secondary they've asked you about distinguishing features such as tattoos.

Makes sense. Do redress numbers help with this?

Not generally when it comes to CBP checking of passengers flagged by a name match done by/for CBP or supplied to CBP.

DHS TRIP-produced "redress number" is for purposes of not being confused with one of the huge number of people on one of the USG aviation-related passenger blacklists used by the TSA or CBP.

The redress number itself isn't generally useful when it comes to CBP checking of passengers flagged by a name match, but sometimes the process leading up to a redress number defintiely is useful. Since there is a substantial possibility that OP is being confused with someone on one or more blacklists, a redress number from DHS TRIP may be useful for fewer future problems when showing up at US port of entry. It's not a magic bullet to eliminate all such problems, but sometimes it has worked.