birdy24

Not true, you do need some ID to prove that. Just loudly saying "I'm an American citizen and have a right to enter" to the CBP officer isn't going to cut it. That is the easiest ground for entry refusal .
Once you provide your proof of ID as an American citizen, you then have the absolute right to enter US.

ashill

My understanding is that you need to demonstrate that you are a US citizen. The requirement as that you prove that you are a US citizen to the satisfaction of the border agent, not that you have ID proving you're a US citizen. Obviously simply loudly saying I'm a US citizen alone won't do that, and having the proper ID is by far the easiest and legally unambiguous way to do that, and I would never recommend intentionally traveling to the US without a passport or other WHTI-approved document, and I've never tried it, and it would take much longer without proper ID to prove your citizenship, and you won't be able to board a flight or other commercial vehicle traveling to the US without valid ID. But under international law you have the right to enter your country of citizenship if you physically arrive at the border, as you can do walking or driving to a land border. And relevant to this thread, my point was simply that a Global Entry card which describes the holder as a US citizen proves US citizenship, and that's really all you need to enter the US. Unlike a NEXUS card, a Global Entry card declaring US citizenship is not, in my experience or by my reading of the CBSA web site, valid for entry to Canada. (I haven't read any relevant case law.) And also unlike a NEXUS card, a Global Entry card is not valid for international air travel under any circumstance.

As I recall my c. 2015 experience driving to Canada with a Global Entry card for a short visit as a non-resident, the CBSA agent actually did let me in but said the document isn't legally valid for travel; other trusted traveler cards such as NEXUS are, but they'd let me in this time. (I have all sorts of privilege; I have to assume I wouldn't have been so lucky if I weren't white, English/French-speaking, etc.) When I became a permanent resident years later at the same border crossing, the agent went into a fair bit of detail how as a permanent resident I should always travel with my permanent resident card but if I lose it or am in trouble (he specifically said "I know you're from a generally safe country, but you never know"), I still have an absolute right to enter Canada; I'll just have to satisfy the border guard that I am in fact a permanent resident. I have never tested that either, and never plan to.

But again, obviously no one should plan to ever approach any border without the appropriate ID!

critterchick

Good to know, thanks.

science_guy

Question: Time to get TSA PreCheck approved when applying for Global Entry (first time applicants):

For background: My "young adult kids" are considering applying for Global Entry for the first time and I'm helping them navigate the process. They will predominantly use TSA Precheck, but will apply for Global Entry since it's only a few dollars more. While they will certainly use TSA Precheck in the near future, they're not sure when they would need Global Entry. I've had Global Entry since 2003 so I'm a little out of the loop on the current process!

The question: When does one get TSA Precheck approved when applying for Global Entry? My concern is that if you don't get TSA Precheck until Global Entry is approved, and if there is a long delay in getting Global Entry then they would miss having TSA Precheck for upcoming flights. By any chance are the separate tracks for approval for both systems (i.e., could TSA Precheck approval happen faster than Global Entry)?

Thanks to all!

flyingron

Nope, you don't get precheck benefits from GE until you are fully approved.

Majuki

TSA Precheck comes with a Global Entry program membership, so it is only available after final approval for Global Entry. Some people apply for TSA Precheck in advance of Global Entry since it is generally a much faster approval time. If there would be value in spending an additional $85 for TSA Precheck while waiting for Global Entry approval, your kids can apply for both programs.

In their cases and absent additional information, I would recommend just applying for Global Entry and waiting it out. Now, if you came back and said their travel patterns have recently changed such that they'll be flying every week versus previously a couple of times per year, that would favor getting a TSA Precheck membership while they wait for Global Entry approval.

It's possible that their conditional approvals could come back quickly, but it would still require an in person interview to complete enrollment for an initial applicant.

flobowcav

Wife and I did the NEXUS interview at the crossing in Detroit several years ago when we were taking a trip to Montreal. Interview took all of about 10-15 minutes. Just renewed my card last year with no follow-up interview needed just paying the $50. Like others have said give the benefit of TSA precheck which we use a great deal. Also just learned NEXUS gives us access to GE which will come in handy for a international trip we are taking in August. All for $50 is a bargain!

wildcard442

If you are close to the CAN/USA border, go for NEXUS.

RedhedMary

I currently have a KTN and TSA precheck. Expires in about a year. I'm looking at the possibility of traveling out of country this fall and wondering if it would be better to apply for Global Entry (which as I understand it includes TSA precheck) rather than renewing my current TSA precheck. I do get reimbursed from my Capital One card for either.

I am traveling within the country in May so would rather not make a new application until after that point, in case the GE app would change my KTN.

TWA884

Applying for Global Entry will not change your TSA PreCheck KTN. You will receive a separate KTN with a different format, all digits, for GE. Both will remain valid until their expiration date and you will be able to choose which one to use.

RedhedMary

Thanks for the info.