Within the current migratory panorama being experienced in the United States, airports have become the first "filter" to investigate the citizenship status of millions of people entering U.S. soil daily.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is the entity responsible for carrying out these types of detentions, prioritizing non-U.S. citizens, undocumented immigrants, legal residents, or anyone seeking entry with a visa.
Therefore, as a preventive measure, it is important to know how to act in case of a detention in order to avoid legal problems.
How to act in case of a CBP detention?
According to the revelations from expert Andrew T. Thomas, from the group Attorneys at Law, consulted by the La Nación media outlet, the CBP can carry out arrests or detentions at U.S. airports under the following circumstances:
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The arrested individual committed a crime in another country.
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An attempt was made to enter with an incorrect or fraudulent visa.
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The individual poses a threat to public or national security.
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The person was recently expelled from the United States.
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There was a previous illegal entry to the United States.
In addition to the above, the CBP has the right to arrest a person if they have engaged in illegal activities outside the United States, arrived without having previously requested asylum, failed to appear at a migration hearing, or abandoned legal permanent resident status.
Facing these reasons, CBP agents may carry out other actions such as conducting interrogations, checking the detainee's luggage, among others. Therefore, according to the specialist, when subject to this type of detention, it is recommended to take these actions:
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Maintain composure at all times
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Act with courtesy
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Request an interpreter if not proficient in English
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Contact an immigration lawyer
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Do not sign any document without being sure of its contents
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Do not withhold information from the legal helper
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Ask to contact a family member for legal support
The arrest can also result in being sent to a detention or deportation center. In some cases, temporary entry may be granted to provide the necessary documents.
If immigration officers determine that the person will remain under detention, it is possible, through a specialized lawyer, to request bail or manage release with the intention of resolving their legal situation.
*This article has been translated automatically using artificial intelligence