Overview: Will My Criminal Record Be Checked When Entering The US?
YES! The DHS (Department of Homeland Security) is the primary agency charged with the responsibility of checking the criminal records of persons entering the US. Specifically, the CBP (U.S. Customs and Border Protection) department of the DHS is the body tasked with screening all incoming travelers and their criminal records.
The screening is part of standard procedures aimed at safeguarding US national security and preventing individuals with criminal histories from gaining entry into the United States illegally.
What Records Are Checked at the Border?
The United States Border Patrol focuses on four main types of records at the border before granting entry. They include;
- FBI Criminal History Records
These records are arguably the most comprehensive of all criminal records databases in the US. The records contain all public misdemeanour and felony convictions. A search on this database will show charges on your record and information about your criminal conviction/s i.e., resulting jail time.
- ICE Records
US Border agents also check Immigration & Customs Enforcement Records which show information on previous immigration violations including arrests.
- Interpol Records
The Interpol database is also checked. It contains certain information on citizens of all member countries who are wanted by law enforcement authorities worldwide. Interpol records give Border Patrol access to numerous criminal international databases worldwide with millions of records i.e. fingerprints, DNA, lost/stolen travel documents, firearm records, stolen motor vehicle records, DNA records, and more.
- CPIC Records (Canadian Police Information Center) Records
Your CPIC records will be checked as well. The U.S. uses these checks to screen individuals for offenses that could pose security threats, such as drug trafficking or violent crimes. Even non-criminal offenses, such as minor infractions, can raise concerns if the nature of the offense violates U.S. immigration laws, which give broad discretionary power to border officers.
What is a CPIC Check?
CPIC records are law enforcement (police records) that all Canadian police departments use to share information. The collection of provincial police databases is maintained by the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police). Besides being accessed by all police forces in Canada, it can also be searched by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the FBI, Homeland Security, and the IRCC (Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada).
What’s more, the RCMP has agreements with some employment background check companies. Such agreements make it possible for some employers to access information on past convictions, discharges, pending charges, and many other information for job applicants.
As a result, if you are traveling to the US for work opportunities, chances are that your potential employer will know about your record if they are authorized to search CPIC records.
How Does a CPIC Check Work?
The CPIC database responds to questions and provides a score (out of 30) based on personal information like name, aliases, address, last known addresses, date of birth, place of birth, employment information, personal description (i.e., height, race, weight, tattoos, piercings, etc.), fingerprints, known associates, and mugshot/s.
All CPIC entries also have a police history which includes past charges, pending charges, pardons received, case outcomes, case dispositions, current investigations, suspected criminal activity in the past, a person’s health status, and their mental health information.
Can My Record be Removed from the CPIC Database?
While the CPIC database isn’t accessible to the public, some third parties can access information contained in the database. If you have been charged with serious crimes (like drug trafficking, child abuse, child abandonment, child pornography, sexual assault, aggravated assault, domestic violence, tax evasion, assault with intent, crimes against property, credit card fraud, etc.,) or common crimes/less serious criminal offenses (like possession of marijuana or even theft, shoplifting items worth less than $5,000), that information will still show in your arrest record even if the charges were later withdrawn.
This is unless you secure a record suspension (pardon) that seals your criminal records from the CPIC database. You can seek a pardon on your own or get expert help. You don’t need to understand the complexities of immigration law.
Canadian Pardon Application Services is a leading pardon application services company that specializes in helping Canadian citizens seal public records like criminal charges and convictions so that a person can travel without restrictions, seek employment opportunities, and engage in other activities that allow for a life without limitations.
How Long Will It Take for Information to Be Updated (Entered or Removed) in the CPIC?
You may be wondering how current information in the CPIC is, and how long it takes for information to be entered or removed so that you can assess the potential problems that will be created by an employment background check or when traveling.
Well, information is entered into the CPIC database within hours of an arrest. What’s more, criminal charges that were withdrawn several months ago will still appear. The probability of a criminal record being in the CPIC is therefore high. The importance of seeking professional help to have your records suspended or pardoned can’t, therefore, be overemphasized.
Will I Be Denied Entry If I Have a Criminal Record?
It depends! Having a criminal past doesn’t automatically stop you from traveling to the US. As mentioned, you can have your criminal record removed from applicable databases or restricted from the public by securing a pardon (record suspension) or a record destruction (expungement).
If your criminal record hasn’t been pardoned or destroyed, you can get a US Entry Waiver. This allows you legal entry to the US without denial of entry or being detained at the American border port of entry/border crossing even if you have a criminal record.
Traveling to the US with a Criminal Record? Get Expert Help from Canadian Pardon Application Services
As mentioned above, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Patrol has access to several databases (from FBI criminal records to ICE records, Interpol records, and CPIC records). The chances of your criminal record being uncovered at the border are very high if you haven’t gotten your records expunged or suspended.
However, all is not lost. You can secure a US Entry Waiver and gain legal entry into the US even if you have a criminal record. However, the process can be challenging if you don’t understand American immigration law, you aren’t an immigration attorney, or if you don’t have the luxury of time. That’s where expert services come in handy.
Luckily, there are companies like Canadian Pardon Application Services that specialize in helping Canadians get their criminal records suspended or expunged. The company can also help with the entire US Entry Waiver application process for clients.
Fill out the online contact form and benefit from their quick 3-step process that has seen over 575,000+ applications approved. Seek expert immigration application assistance and save yourself from the grueling scrutiny of border control officials and possible arrest by border officers.
Enjoy affordable record suspension services among other related services that guarantee absolute discretion, a clean record, and hassle-free travel.
