The United States Bureau of Customs and Border Protection administers the Trusted Traveler Program. There are four components to the Trusted Traveler Program; FAST, Global Entry, Nexus and Sentri. Global Entry is the most common program for business travelers. Global Entry Program Membership allows individuals to utilize an expedited and quicker Customs process when entering the United States and partner countries.

Individuals may be denied Global Entry Program Membership for a variety of reasons. The most common reasons for denial are:

Customs Administrative Violations

Customs Forfeiture

Felony criminal convictions

Immigration violations

Misdemeanor criminal convictions

Misstatements on Global Entry Application

Pending federal investigations

Line officers and supervisors have minimal authority to overturn the decision to deny Global Entry Program Membership. Global Entry Denial Appeals are filed in writing with the CBP Office of the Ombudsman, located in Vermont. The same process applies for individuals facing a Global Entry Program Membership Revocation. Appeals should be written in accordance with the Code of Federal Regulations, known as the CFRs. Thus, it is important to consult with an attorney experienced in Global Entry Denial Appeals.

The CBP Ombudsman’s Office may take anywhere from three to twelve months to render a response for a Global Entry Denial Appeal. The Appeal process is not particularly transparent, leaving many applicants to wonder how the Global Entry Denial Appeal process works. Further Appeals can be directed to the United States Department of Homeland Security. The same Administrative Law Appeal process for Global Entry also applies to FAST, Nexus and Sentri. An experienced Federal Administrative Law Defense Attorney can assist individuals denied Global Entry Program Membership and wish to appeal the decision.