V-Flyer

The last twice, I have used the new self service machines, once in Atlanta and once last week in Orlando.

On both occasions my passport hasn't been stamped

Has this happened to anyone else ?

David

(I quite like the stamps )

We have used them the past 4 entries in to the US and had our passports stamped each time, including our most recent entry on the 27th Dec.

I don't understand the point of them.
We used the booth and our passports were accepted, then we were directed to one of the homeland security desks anyway where are passports were stamped. I don't know what using the booth achieves although I think we missed out a lot of the queuing.
Dick D

Atlanta in November we used the machine and got two passes from it but were sent to the normal entry desk were we were given the 3rd degree like what is the purpose of your visit, why do you visit the USA so often etc had our fingerprints and picture taken again, the full works. We are a retired couple traveling Upper Class and had spent three 3 week visits to the USA in the past year. Just planning our next trip but wondering if we should spend our money in the USA, the entry treatment was worst we had had in almost 40 years, Oh yes we did finally get our passports stamped.

usually mine is stamped, but maybe skipped it once or twice

i find the machines can cut queuing time, though sometimes queues for them are longer, i learned to look at both

but i'm sure there's also some background dhs/tsa algorithm that chooses people for extra attention based upon personal info, travel profiling, or simply as a random check, plus whether the agent just feels in the mood or thinks you look too happy (i hope they don't read this, otherwise i'm doomed; though since the bad old days i find the agents overall are far better now, maybe they'll forgive me now)

Using a machine does not exempt you from being quizzed by the CBP officer. They still have the absolute right to question anyone and decide whether to admit or not. Being retired or traveling UC does not exempt you.

Some might regard 3 x 3 week visits in a year (with this one being a fourth) as somewhat unusual which could also be why you were questioned again by the officer.

There are also random checks that have to take place even if someone has passed the machine quiz.

Or you could have had the X printed on the slip but didn't notice it.

You don't get a stamp if you enter under Global Entry?

When I went through MIA in Dec, on exiting the immigration machine area, an agent either sent pax that had print-outs with a cross on to a desk (you cannot miss the cross either as it's printed corner to corner across the ticket) and anyone without a cross on their print-out was directed straight to what looked like the exit.

So I *think* it's down to if you get a cross on the printed ticket or not.....possibly?

Not actually used it yet, but I was told at my Global Entry interview I had the other week in FL, that under normal circumstances, Global Entry users don't get a stamp as you don't come in contact with an agent during the Global Entry arrival process.

Global Entry machines can also churn out tickets with a cross as per the ESTA machines and again in that case, you do have to see an agent, but you do apparently get a dedicated desk/agent or pushed to the front of the standard line.

mitchja wrote:When I went through MIA in Dec, on exiting the immigration machine area, an agent either sent pax that had print-outs with a cross on to a desk (you cannot miss the cross either as it's printed corner to corner across the ticket) and anyone without a cross on their print-out was directed straight to what looked like the exit.

So I *think* it's down to if you get a cross on the printed ticket or not.....possibly?

Not actually used it yet, but I was told at my Global Entry interview I had the other week in FL, that under normal circumstances, Global Entry users don't get a stamp as you don't come in contact with an agent during the Global Entry arrival process.

Global Entry machines can also churn out tickets with a cross as per the ESTA machines and again in that case, you do have to see an agent, but you do apparently get a dedicated desk/agent or pushed to the front of the standard line.

Yes that's right. The slip also acts as your customs form, unless you get the cross.

Hamster wrote:

mitchja wrote:When I went through MIA in Dec, on exiting the immigration machine area, an agent either sent pax that had print-outs with a cross on to a desk (you cannot miss the cross either as it's printed corner to corner across the ticket) and anyone without a cross on their print-out was directed straight to what looked like the exit.

So I *think* it's down to if you get a cross on the printed ticket or not.....possibly?

Not actually used it yet, but I was told at my Global Entry interview I had the other week in FL, that under normal circumstances, Global Entry users don't get a stamp as you don't come in contact with an agent during the Global Entry arrival process.

Global Entry machines can also churn out tickets with a cross as per the ESTA machines and again in that case, you do have to see an agent, but you do apparently get a dedicated desk/agent or pushed to the front of the standard line.

Yes that's right. The slip also acts as your customs form, unless you get the cross.

That certainly wasn't the case at either MCO or JFK when we used the automated machines. After we got our slips, without crosses on, we were sent to an agent who checked the slipped and then stamped the passports. Maybe one quick question, but certainly we had to still see an agent on both occasions.

Hamster wrote:You don't get a stamp if you enter under Global Entry?

Unless you're pulled aside (random secondary screening or you get a cross on the printout), you don't get a stamp in your passport.

I am naturalizing as a US citizen, and the process involves listing every single US entry/exit in the past five years. I've been using Global Entry for longer than that, so my passport has no US stamps at all.

I had to file a FOIA request with CBP for my entry/exit data. Expecting a couple of pages back from CBP with a bunch of dates, I received a 150 page document of incredible detail. Every single page was part-redacted, though.

Neil wrote:That certainly wasn't the case at either MCO or JFK when we used the automated machines. After we got our slips, without crosses on, we were sent to an agent who checked the slipped and then stamped the passports. Maybe one quick question, but certainly we had to still see an agent on both occasions.

Sorry, I was referring to the Global Entry part.

Blackbeard - try flying out of US the Tuesday, to fly back the following Monday - the immigration officer then did decide to ask a few more questions than usual as imagine I may have looked like using for a purpose unintended with duration of previous visit. When explaining one was work, one was leisure they are fine (We like you do 2-3 leisure trips, and up to 5 business per year).

Sometimes you get a nice guy, sometimes one thats not that so nice - it's unfrotunatly part of the US entry piece. Don't let one bad immigation officer get you down!

NYLON wrote:

Hamster wrote:You don't get a stamp if you enter under Global Entry?

Unless you're pulled aside (random secondary screening or you get a cross on the printout), you don't get a stamp in your passport.

I am naturalizing as a US citizen, and the process involves listing every single US entry/exit in the past five years. I've been using Global Entry for longer than that, so my passport has no US stamps at all.

I had to file a FOIA request with CBP for my entry/exit data. Expecting a couple of pages back from CBP with a bunch of dates, I received a 150 page document of incredible detail. Every single page was part-redacted, though.

Perhaps it is a specific requirement of naturalising but you can get your 5 year history here:

https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/consent.htm ... 1808615784

by consenting and entering a few details. Certainly doesn't return 150 pages for sure.