Global Entry Kiosk Instructions

Global Entry Video

You use the touchscreen to answer simple questions and scan your fingerprints.

You put your passport in first, then the kiosk takes your finger print and a picture. Afterwards it asks you if your flight info is correct (or you have to enter it if for some rare reason it won't find it). Then you have to answer the 'customs' questions by marking it on the screen and it prints out your slip.

It is all menu driven and usually just a check mark on a yes or no on the touchscreen.

It pretty much is self explanatory and displays you each step including which way to put the passport in.

Except when the information is wrong, and in that case you have to enter in the correct flight information. For example, last time I came in via SFO from MUC and the kiosk thought I had come in from Bangkok. I had been in Bangkok, but several days and several flights earlier, and I had only transited there.

ORD tonight at 6:45P. At least 500 pax in line.
No one at GE kiosks. CBP called us up to GE counter immediately, interrupting processing of another non-GE pax.
From GE kiosk to baggage claim in under 60 seconds. ^

Why did you visit a counter? Were you making a declaration?

Agent called us over as soon as we finished with kiosk, just checked our receipt/pic and waved us on.

So I really wanted to be a part of the global entry program, but it only allowed me into the Sentri program, which would be awesome except I don't travel into mexico by car much (hell of a drive from brooklyn)

Did I make a mistake or am I a terrorist and don't know it?

IIRC, you can choose which program to sign-up for. Did you choose SENTRI?

Yes.

No.

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.

However you're right that "could have been any child" is a factor. Border guards are taught to be very vigilant for individual adults crossing with children that might be either not theirs or theirs but without the knowledge or permission of their other parent. That might be why they spotted you so fast.

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.

I am not sure if you are breaking immigration regulations, but I think anyone entering the US is required to undergo a Customs search.

8 CFR 235.1(a) states that "[a]pplication to lawfully enter the United States shall be made in person to an immigration officer at a U.S. port-of-entry when the port is open for inspection, or as otherwise designated in this section."

So failing to make an application to enter the US via prescribed procedures is indeed a violation of immigration regulations.

Somewhat unclear on the new passport procedures.

If I get a new passport, the global entry website simply says I need to login to GOES and update my new passport info, nothing about showing up at a GE center and having them manually update it. Some posts say they did it online and had no problems, but most other folks say they showed up at a GE office to have them scan their passports again (though this is contrary to what the FAQ on the CBP website says).

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/det...sports-in-goes

So what's the deal? Any actual experiences with just a simple online update without going to a GE office?

I ask because I live outside the US, so I can't simply pop into any GE office at the nearest airport to have them manually update my passport. So if I update it online, would I still be able to use the GE machines on my next trip back into the US? If I follow the online FAQ directions, it would seem like it would be fine updating it online, but what's written online isn't necessarily what happens in the "real world".

Anyone with any real world experience in this matter? I know I won't get a CBP stamp, but never been asked for one at the airports I enter at.

The worst that happens is you can use the GE machine but you get an X. Bring your old passport with the sticker just in case you need to justify it.

when I updated online I went into office. So far as I could tell CBP only put a new sticker in the back.