HomeBlogHeadlinesGlobal EntryFOIA Petitions for Trusted Traveler (Global Entry, SENTRI, NEXUS, etc…) Application Denials

FOIA Petitions for Trusted Traveler (Global Entry, SENTRI, NEXUS, etc…) Application Denials

  • November 16, 2012
  • Category: FAST, Global Entry, GOES, NEXUS
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Suppose that you are appealing a Global Entry denial. Ā If you do not have a criminal record, your main questions would next be do I have an unknown customs violation or what information is in my Global Entry file?

For a customs violation, you can file a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) petition. Ā Here is the information on filing a FOIA.

What about if you want to examine a complete copy of your Trusted Traveler file? Ā This is where it gets trickier. Ā Typically, an applicant can look at his or her online GOES profile and print out copies of prior correspondence. Ā The GOES profile, however, is not always complete.

Can an applicant file a FOIA for his or her Global Entry or other Trusted Traveler program file? Ā As it stands, I would say that the answer to this question is NO. Ā The previous FOIA link above has a link within it entitled, “What Records Can CBP Provide Under FOIA?” Ā  Ā This page has the following information:

  • Note: If you are seeking information on a trusted traveler application denial, contact the relevant enrollment center.

The page then lists a link for the relevant enrollment centers for Global Entry, SENTRI, FAST Canada/Mexico, & NEXUS.

I will relay you the basics of a case I am working on currently. Ā My client had his Global Entry revoked by CBP, but does not know why. Ā I contacted the Global Entry Enrollment Center. Ā They said to contact the CBP Ombudsman. Ā The Ombudsman provided Ā me with a letter stating that Global Entry has been revoked due to the reasons referenced in a prior denial letter. Ā When I asked the Ombudsman about the prior denial letter, the Ombudsman said to look on the GOES profile. Ā The GOES profile did not have that prior denial letter. Ā I mentioned this to the Ombudsman, but they mentioned that ‘no further information would be provided.’ Ā I filed a complaint with CBP.gov and eventually spoke to a manager there. Ā The manager stated he would email the Ombudsman about the issue, but his main suggestion was for me to file a FOIA. Ā So, if I want a copy of the full Global Entry records, I have to look on the CBP web page for FOIA procedures, which states that instead of filing a FOIA, I should contact the Global Enrollment center, which will refer me to the CBP Ombudsman….

The Trusted Traveler Program has a problem: Ā it is run by a law enforcement agency that sells a retail privilege(Card Holders get through the lines quicker), but absolutely does not want to direct any resources towards customer service. Ā As time goes by, I believe that more people will become dissatisfied with this arrangement.



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