Trusted Traveler Programs(Global Entry, Nexus, Sentri): Guilty By Association?

I have now had contact with two people who have had their Global Entry, Nexus or Sentri Passes revoked due to the actions of a traveling companion.  Is CBP finding people guilty of a violation by association?

The pattern I am seeing is this:  a person arrives at a port of entry with a significant other (spouse, fiancee, etc..).  The significant other has an issue at arrival with Customs, and perhaps pays a fine for the violation.  The next thing you know, both parties now have their Global Entry, Nexus or Sentri passes revoked.  That sounds like guilt by association to me.

I believe that the CBP Ombudsman’s office should communicate more with the public about its administration of the Trusted Traveler Program and its policies.  This is certainly a question I have for the Ombudsman’s office:  can a person have his or her Trusted Traveler privileges revoked solely due to the actions of a traveling companion?  The program guidelines from the website certainly do not make any mention of this issue.  CBP will generally send the following denial, with no explanation of the specific revocation reason, to a traveler who has just had his or her privileges revoked:

Please remember that the following circumstances may make you ineligible for participation:

• Providing false or incomplete information on the application;
• Convictions for any criminal offense or pending criminal charges to include outstanding
warrants;
• Violations of any customs, immigration, or agriculture regulations or laws in any country;
• Inadmissibility to the United States under immigration laws;
• Receipt of a criminal pardon from any country; or
• Other circumstances that indicate to CBP that you have not qualified as “low risk.”

We regret to inform you that your membership in Global Entry has been revoked for the following reason:
You do not meet program eligibility requirements.