Inspection of US Citizens on Return From Abroad - Did You Know?

Many U.S. citizens -- especially first timecitizenship.
international travelers --, are very surprised toEven an expired United States passport can be
learn that immigration inspectors at U.S. airportsshown to CBP as evidence of citizenship, as long
also require U.S. citizens to go through inspectionas there is no indication that the passport holder
upon their return from abroad.has relinquished his/her U.S. citizenship.
Officers of the Customs and Border ProtectionA spouse, minor child, or minor unmarried sibling
Service (CBP) are charged with maintaining U.S.may be included on the passport of a U.S. citizen
national security and border integrity, keeping tabsif such spouse, child, or sibling is also a U.S. citizen.
on what people (and goods) are coming and going.In a situation where a passport is required for
CBP officers, stationed at various air-, land-, andtravel, a passport is valid for the reentry of the
seaports examine travellers seeking entry into thedependent only if accompanying the principal
United States. When, in the course of a traveller'spassport holder. A dependent may, however,
review, a CBP inspector is satisfied that anpresent such a passport as evidence of citizenship
applicant for admission to the U.S. is a citizen ofwhen returning from a place where no U.S.
the United States, that examination, for entrypassport is required.
purposes, is terminated.If CBP is satisfied that the person is a United
Admissibility issues contained in the ImmigrationStates citizen, even though the person may not
and Nationality Act (INA) are applicable only tobe able to show a passport or other evidence of
non-U.S. citizens. Consequently, the examination ofcitizenship, CBP will advise the individual of the
a person claiming to be a United States citizen isnecessity of having a valid U.S. passport.
limited to matters required to establish presentTechnically CBP would be waiving the general
citizenship. Once CBP is satisfied the person beingpassport requirement for the Department of
examined is a U.S. citizen, the examination is over.State. Other common documents that may help
CBP, howevr, has legal authority to temporarilyto establish United States citizenship include the
detain a U.S. citizen under reasonable suspicionfollowing:
that the person is involved in illegal activity. If1) A Certificate of Naturalization,
probable cause to arrest the U.S. citizen cannot be(2) A Certificate of Citizenship,
developed within a reasonable period of time, the(3) Citizen's identification cards (Forms I-179 or
person must be released.I-197),
One issue that arises frequently is that of(4) State Department Certificates of Identity and
dual-nationality. Although the United States doesRegistration (Forms FS-225 and FS-225A),
not formally recognize "dual nationality"; many(5) The U.S. Coast Guard Mariner's Document
other countries do. It is not unusual to encounterindicating U.S. nationality ("Z-card"),
a United States citizen (even native born)(6) Birth Certificate showing a place of birth in the
possessing more than one nationality (i.e. moreU.S. accompanied by good identification, and
than 1 passport). For example, a child born in the(7) Baptismal certificates or other forms of
United States to a foreign national may, under thesecondary evidence of U.S. citizenship.
laws of that country, be entitled to its parent'sPlease note that according to government
citizenship and be included in the parent's passport,sources, most documented false claims to U.S.
particularly when the person is a young minor, notcitizenship will be carrying birth certificates,
yet having his/her own passport. Under certainbaptismal certificates, or both. These documents
circumstances, that document may be used forcan often be most easily obtained, altered, or
identification and entry, if presented in conjunctionmanufactured.
with a birth certificate or other evidence of U.S.