United States Citizenship and Immigration
Services (USCIS) Procedures at the Border
USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) is required
to screen all visitors and to determine whether they can be admitted
to the U.S. and for what period of time. The validity of a visa
represents a window of opportunity during which an applicant may
apply for entry at a U.S. border.
The visa itself does not guarantee entry into the United States.
USCIS will let visitors know how long they are allowed to stay.
If USCIS authorizes a longer stay than originally planned by the
visitor, it is still advisable for the visitor to adhere to the
planned period of stay in order to maintain credibility when applying
for a future visa.
If a person is found inadmissible to the U.S., he or she may be
deported. Often, individuals are given the choice of voluntary departure,
which allows them to return home on the airline that brought them
to the U.S. In addition to the cost of transporting the individual,
the airline will have to pay a fine to the U.S. government. Alternatively,
an individual may choose to wait in prison for a court hearing,
which could result in deportation.
Any alien ordered removed at the port of entry is ineligible for
a visa for at least 5 years.
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