Should Secondary Inspection at POE be disclosed on N-400?

I

italicus

New Member
I am about to apply for naturalization. I have one doubt left. My case is pretty straightforward, only one minor traffic ticket, never troubles with the law. All other conditions are met.

Here is my doubt. While returning to the U.S. from overseas early this year for a 1-week trip, my entry was delayed at POE for about 30-40 minutes. I was traveling on my expired GC + NOA (no Infopass stamp on passport), while waiting for my conditions to be removed. I was not subject to any additional questioning but was told to wait in separate room since they were determining if NOA with 1year travel extension was valid.

Q1: I was not given any other explanation. I am not sure if this occurrence has to be indicated under question 16 on N-400. Any suggestion?

Q2: I was finally allowed entry in the U.S. without problem, but I am now wondering if this incident will affect my naturalization process. What are your thoughts?

Any comment/advice is appreciated.
 
italicus said:
I am about to apply for naturalization. I have one doubt left. My case is pretty straightforward, only one minor traffic ticket, never troubles with the law. All other conditions are met.

Here is my doubt. While returning to the U.S. from overseas early this year for a 1-week trip, my entry was delayed at POE for about 30-40 minutes. I was traveling on my expired GC + NOA (no Infopass stamp on passport), while waiting for my conditions to be removed. I was not subject to any additional questioning but was told to wait in separate room since they were determining if NOA with 1year travel extension was valid.

Q1: I was not given any other explanation. I am not sure if this occurrence has to be indicated under question 16 on N-400. Any suggestion?

Q2: I was finally allowed entry in the U.S. without problem, but I am now wondering if this incident will affect my naturalization process. What are your thoughts?

Any comment/advice is appreciated.
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Take it easy and don't put too much thought and worry into the secondary inspection. That is nothing but a routine process.
 
do you guys mean they dont get that information when they do the FBI name check.

if not then how can they verify when you entered or left USA or any other countries for that matter?
 
They do have your record of entries and departures. That said, secondary inspection is not an arrest so there is no need to disclose that on N-400 form.
 
lakshmi_H said:
do you guys mean they dont get that information when they do the FBI name check.

if not then how can they verify when you entered or left USA or any other countries for that matter?
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Why would they get that information? Secondary inspection only consists in being taken to a room at the airport and being asked questions to verify your status, identity etc. It's routine.

I lost my green card in 2005 and had to go through this every time I would re-enter the US with my new green card (even back from a trip to Canada), and one day I got tired of it and asked the immigration agent if I had to go through that every single time and he said yes, that it's a verification process and it's for my own protection (his own words).

Like Eltoro said, it's not an arrest, although it sometimes look like you're in trouble when they take you to their office :)
 
What is the purpose of the customs form?is it just for the customs to check if you brought any food and from what country?

Do they keep these paper forms or do they record the info in database?
 
FriscoDude said:
Why would they get that information? Secondary inspection only consists in being taken to a room at the airport and being asked questions to verify your status, identity etc. It's routine.

I lost my green card in 2005 and had to go through this every time I would re-enter the US with my new green card (even back from a trip to Canada), and one day I got tired of it and asked the immigration agent if I had to go through that every single time and he said yes, that it's a verification process and it's for my own protection (his own words).

Like Eltoro said, it's not an arrest, although it sometimes look like you're in trouble when they take you to their office :)
Click to expand...

I had similiar experience when I was returing from Japan after 2 weeks of visit and I never lost my green card or arrested or fined by IRS. Never got into any out of status issues, nothing. It was so strange that the officer was asking me about my wife's employment, her salary and all that stuff... He was taking these notes as well. It was 1.5 hours of grilling... Nevertheless, I didnt want to get into trouble and answered each of his 54 questions..Learned my lesson not to argue with Immigration Officer after 9/11!!! Nevertheless, it still baffles me why I was grilled with questioning when I had nothing in my records that I am aware of..
 
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I was in doubt because of the language of Q. 16 on Part 10 of N-400.

"Have you ever been arrested, cited, or detained by any law enforcement officer (including USCIS or former INS and military officers) for any reason?"

This wording seemed so broad to encompass even the tiniest incident, including secondary inspection at POE. After all, albeit not formally "detained", one is not free lo leave during secondary inspection.

Anyway, after listening to your comments, I am now convinced that there is no need to list the occurrence on the N-400.

Thanks
 
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