CBP Customer Service (2023)

FAQs

Do you have to answer CBP questions? ›

You have the right to remain silent and do not have to discuss your immigration or citizenship status with police, immigration agents or any other officials. You do not have to answer questions about where you were born, whether you are a U.S. citizen, or how you entered the country.

Travelers visiting the United States from a foreign country must be able to prove to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer that they have sufficient funds, i.e., credit card, cash, travelers' checks, money order to cover travel, lodging, entertainment, meals, etc. to be admitted into the United States.

CBP offers competitive salaries and federal benefits, and has a hiring process that typically takes between 3 to 12 months, but can be streamlined for qualifying veterans. Are you ready to start your journey?

CBP agents may swipe through your phone or look through the documents on your com- puter. The government also claims the authority to copy the data on your electronic devices.

You always have the right to remain silent. However, if you don't answer questions to establish your citizenship, officials may detain you longer in order to verify your immigration status.

An official bank statement, either printed at a branch or as an online statement. The balance of total funds in your accounts. The balance of funds in your checking or savings account. The signature of an authorized bank employee or notary.

Here is a list of documents that you can present to prove your means of subsistence: A personal bank statement indicating your financial movements (for at least 3 last months) Credit card. Cash. Traveler's cheques.

Proof of funds refers to a document that demonstrates the ability of an individual or entity to pay for a specific transaction. A bank statement, security statement, or custody statement usually qualify as proof of funds. Proof of funds is typically required for a large transaction, such as the purchase of a house.

You can submit your question, compliment, complaint, or tip online or by calling 1-877-CBP-5511 (877-227-5511). If you are outside the U.S. you must call +1-202-325-8000.

Can a CBP officer pull you over? ›

Customs and Border Patrol are also conducting roving patrols and may also attempt to pull you over. They must have reasonable suspicion that the driver or passengers in your car committed some immigration violation or a federal crime, and they must have a probable cause to continue the stop.

Border Patrol work requires the ability to speak and read Spanish as well as English. All persons appointed are instructed in speaking and reading Spanish as part of the basic training for Border Patrol Agents, and must be proficient by the final probationary examination (usually 10 months after entry on duty).

On a typical day, CBP processes about 1.13 million passengers by air, sea, and land . However, more than 700 people are denied entry each day.

Acceptance rates at Border Patrol have more than tripled since fiscal 2015, but even in fiscal 2017, just 1.36 percent of applicants were given jobs at the agency.

This database is an index of criminal justice information, such as criminal record history. Additionally, the immigration officers have access to: The Terrorist Screening Database the FBI uses. The Border Crossing Information system of records.

Authorized CBP employees may retrieve public information from the social media sites, but do not interact with individual users.

The background investigation will include credit and criminal history checks, records checks to verify citizenship of family members, verification of date of birth, education, employment history, and military history.

If questions arise and CBP is unable to admit you quickly, you may be taken to a separate area for “secondary inspection.” A referral by itself is not adverse, but you can expect to be detained anywhere from a few minutes to several hours or longer.

Under Title 42, migrants were returned over the border and denied the right to seek asylum. U.S. officials turned away migrants more than 2.8 million times. Families and children traveling alone were exempt. But there were no real consequences when someone illegally crossed the border.

Can CBP revoke green card? ›

If the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer believes you do not intend to continue living permanently in the United States, they could revoke your status as a permanent resident.

No, not cash as in a briefcase full of money cannot be uses as a proof of funds. The lender has no way of sourcing this as it could be a loan. The money would need to be deposited into a bank account and seasoned for two months.

A credit card statement can only serve as a record of payment, but a receipt may be needed to provide the details of such purchase. If you have no receipts, you cannot prove that you bought something tax-deductible.

Sufficient Funds means such amounts as are sufficient to pay the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, due on the Notes on the stated maturity date or on a redemption date, if applicable.

A statement of financial need is a letter that explains your financial situation and tells admissions staff why you will benefit from monetary support. Many colleges and universities require you to submit a statement when you apply for scholarships.

The five key documents include your profit and loss statement, balance sheet, cash-flow statement, tax return, and aging reports.

To be considered “acceptable funds” the money must be yours and accessible. Here are the rules for funds: Cash, cash advances, personal loans, credit card advances, borrowed funds, etc.

Example of Not Sufficient Funds

Smith deposits. Upon presentation of the check, Mr. Jones' bank refuses to honor it on the grounds that there are only $300 in his checking account. This is a not sufficient funds check.

if you can afford something, you have enough money to be able to pay for it. This word usually follows 'can', 'could', or 'be able to'

What documents are acceptable for CBP? ›

If I Am Denied Entry to the USA, Can I Try Again? Yes, if you are denied entry into the United States, you can try to re-enter by applying for a Waiver of Inadmissibility. These waivers, which can be valid for up to five years in some cases, can allow you to enter the United States even if you are ineligible.

If you are detained, you have the right to remain silent and the right to speak to an attorney. If you are a citizen of another country, you also have the right to speak with your consulate. You may be asked where you were born, how you entered the U.S. or how long you've been here.

US Customs and Border Protection or the CBP can take away or seize your car, truck, or any vehicle if they claim to have cause to believe that your vehicle was carrying illegal aliens or contraband such as drugs.

Every time you cross the border, customs officials have the right to look at anything in your possession, including the content on your laptop, handheld device, cell phone, USB memory stick and digital cameras, Gurley said.

Border Patrol and CBP are law enforcement agencies, and you may record them in the performance of their public duties in public places, so long as you do not interfere with the officers in any way.

Interview Attire

Most candidates tend to dress in business attire (e.g., a suit); however, you will not be rated based on your attire. Use your best judgment.

The Border Patrol Academy is recognized as having one of the most challenging curriculums in federal law enforcement. All newly hired Border Patrol Agents receive their basic law enforcement skills by attending the Academy.

The SI results are good for 3 years if you pass.

Visitors traveling to the United States are required to be in possession of passports that are valid for six months beyond the period of their intended stay in the United States.

Is it illegal to lie to CBP? ›

Lying to an immigration officer can have extreme consequences including permanent inadmissibility, deportability, and not being allowed to apply for U.S. citizenship.

CBP will compare your photograph to the image(s) associated with your passport, other travel documents, or prior border inspections. If you are a U.S. citizen, CBP will retain your photograph for no more than 12 hours for continuity of operations purposes.

Average U.S. Customs and Border Protection Customs Officer yearly pay in the United States is approximately $55,791, which is 17% above the national average.

Tester continued: “Customs and Border Patrol's (CBP) own staffing models show a current shortage of more than 1,000 officers, and I continue to hear from officers that frequent reassignments to the southern border are negatively impacting security at the northern border, officer morale, and staffing levels.

What about the data on my phone, computer, or other electronic device? CBP agents may swipe through your phone or look through the documents on your com- puter. The government also claims the authority to copy the data on your electronic devices.

You must pass the Entrance Exam with a score of 70 to be eligible.

Motorist's may consent to a search but are not required to do so. The Border Patrol protects the United States by interdicting terrorists, illegal narcotics, and non-citizens attempting to egress away from the border area into the interior portions of our nations.

Customs and Border Patrol are also conducting roving patrols and may also attempt to pull you over. They must have reasonable suspicion that the driver or passengers in your car committed some immigration violation or a federal crime, and they must have a probable cause to continue the stop.

Do you have to answer if you are a U.S. citizen? ›

You have the right to remain silent. You do not have to answer questions asked by immigration officers if you do not want to answer them. This includes questions about your citizenship status, birthplace or place of residence.

Generally speaking, searches within 100 miles of the border are more permissible without a warrant than those conducted elsewhere in the U.S. The doctrine also allows federal agents to search people at border crossings without a warrant or probable cause.

Nearly 50% of recruits fail the polygraph or lie-detector component, the vice president of the National Border Patrol Council said. “They'll go any other place where they're not treated like a criminal during that portion of the hiring process,” Anfinsen said.

You are eligible to verify as a First Responder if you are a Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) of one of the following entities: All Alcohol Tobacco & Firearms Employees (ATF) Amtrak Police Department. Customs & Border Patrol (CBP)