Section 107

good points, but its not the new $8,000 rolex that is a problem, its the $20 "faux-lex" hidden in the bag that is the problem

rwmiller56

Another data point. Make that 2 of us. I was turned down for GE, but I now get Pre-Check on ALL of my flights with WN and UA.
I was turned down for GE due to a conviction of wet reckless driving (reduced charge for a DUI).

iaddca2011

I was denied for Global Entry Program back in September with the reasoning as "Other - No Comment". I called to talk with a supervisor at Dulles as was noted on their site but was told that in no circumstance will that happen. I wrote a letter which was tough since how do you appeal when you literally have no clue why you are denied. I've had a clean criminal record my entire life and the worst item is a couple of speeding tickets when I was in my early 20's (I am now 43) and one for not stopping at a stop sign 3 years ago.

When I went for my initial interview I was told that my acceptance letter would appear in my account in a couple of days. However, one weird question came up in the interview about adoption which I had to ask twice. I did note we were hoping for a domestic adoption with an infant and all of the paperwork had been filled out. He did note that sometimes folks that are in the adoption process are accidentally denied but he would include a note about it. I didn't think anything about it until my denial letter arrived since it didn't seem like it would even be an issue.

I've since sent in my paperwork with the appeal noting I am allowed to adopt in the US only. I know it shouldn't bother me but like some other folks just not knowing makes you go crazy especially in the day of identity theft. Not sure what I can do next since I've called, sent a certified letter, and a e-mail follow-up just to see when I would receive a response. As you can imagine that didn't happen.

I thought about going for TSA-Pre but now I am paranoid since normally I could agree to those terms but now I am not exactly sure what is sitting in my records. I can completely understand with the other folks on this thread who are just livid since it seems like GOES should at least be able to provide some form of accountability while keeping the country safe. (This from a guy who believes NSA did nothing wrong).

Dubai Stu

On the criteria for Nexus, it says you are ineligible if you have had any criminal conviction that has not been pardoned.

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/nexu...admis-eng.html

Expungment is not listed. I'm not sure what to make of this distinction.

Andrea Waters

I am going to make a wild guess and say Lexis Nexis. I, most unfortunately, was a victim of stalking recently. I am a super private person in general and am careful to have very little to do with social media. I minimize my online presence in general. Because of the stalking incident (and a graduate degree in Library Science), I became quite familiar with the astounding amount of information that's published online and worse, in private databases to which we have little or no access. I am associated with my first boyfriend's wife. My relationship with this boyfriend ended twenty years ago, and we never lived together. Most of my other associations are easily identifiable but the amount of information collected is disturbing.

Here's a link where you can order your Lexis Nexis report:

http://www.lexisnexis.com/privacy/fo...formation.aspx

RandomBaritone

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.

riskus

as expected no more information was provided so im just stuck having no idea what i could have done to be denied. At this point ive given up ever knowing or getting access to any of these programs. unfortunately i will always have an uneasy feeling thinking i am forgetting about something in my past.

RandomBaritone

As I mention upthread, GE seems to have a uniquely high rejection rate. Pre-check on its own is very valuable, and appears to be much easier to attain. No reason to let your GE denial dissuade you from it.

drewguy

It is bothersome to be rejected for some benefit by a process that is a total black box and with no transparency or appearance of due process, at least in a country that values legal traditions as fairness and openness.

I think that GE should at a minimum explain each rejection based on something, even if generic (e.g., non-ordinary travel patterns; multiple small crimes; etc.)

RandomBaritone

As one who was rejected without comment, I could not agree more. Unfortunately I'm not sure our country "values legal traditions as fairness and openness" as you claim. FOIA was enacted only in 1966 and given teeth only after Watergate. Even today, requests are routinely denied multiple times for trivial, undocumented bureaucratic matters, in order to wear down the requesters. I know it worked on me.

ILovetheReds

I recently applied for Precheck and was approved and have been 100% at getting it since.

I found out I will have a couple international trips and my employer will reimburse GE. I had an incident in college where it was phone harrasment plea bargained down to disorderly conduct, no jail time, in 86 and I've stayed out of trouble since.

I haven't applied for GE because I was afraid that would automatically deny me but since it's been almost 30 years I was told it might not hurt me.

If I get denied GE can they also revoke my precheck or should that be safe?

RandomBaritone

It'll be safe. Remember, they're not even the same agency: CBP administers GE, while the TSA runs Pre-Check. TSA won't know or care that you're applying for GE.

The only communication they have with regard to trusted traveler programs is one-way, in that GE confers Pre-Check.

ILovetheReds

Thanks. Good point, I forgot about that

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.

lazard

if everything in your post is true, then that should be an easy appeal.