Can border Patrol see your criminal record?
Asked by: Urban D'Amore | Last update: December 10, 2025Score: 4.1/5 (15 votes)
At the border, officials can legally collect your personal and criminal information.
What can Border Patrol see?
- Any criminal history you have.
- Your citizenship status.
- Employment information.
- Your phone numbers.
- Your property records.
- Credit card data.
- Your social media history.
- Information about your family members.
Can Border Patrol see expunged records?
Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) still have access to records that are sealed. Even if you have an expunged or sealed record, the U.S. government has access to that documentation and can see your records.
Does the US border run a background check on your passport?
When a border agent scans your passport, the computer system runs your information against the NCIC database and flags any active arrest warrants. The NCIC is not comprehensive, and not all active arrest warrants are present in its database.
How do customs know if you have a criminal record?
Often, border control will access the National Crime Information Center, a database the FBI uses. It contains criminal justice information. Border control may also look at: The Interagency Border Inspection System.
Crossing the Border with a Criminal Record
Can you be a border patrol agent with a criminal record?
You may be disqualified if your background includes:
Use of illegal drugs and/or the sale distribution of illegal drugs. Convictions, including misdemeanor domestic violence charges. International harboring or concealment of undocumented noncitizens.
How far back do CBP records go?
Need A History Of Your Arrivals & Departures? View your U.S. arrival and departure history for the past 10 years (certain types of travel history may not be provided). Please know, this travel history is a tool to assist you but not an official record for legal purposes.
Can the FBI see my expunged record?
Expunged records can, in some cases, appear on FBI background checks, especially those conducted by law enforcement or certain government entities.. While expungement is meant to remove or restrict access to criminal records, the effectiveness of the process varies by jurisdiction.
What shows up when your ID is scanned?
Some of the components that an ID scanner analyzes include the first and last name, home address, birthdate, hair color, height, date issued, ID number, and more. There are three main steps that ID scanners need to go through.
Does Border Patrol check everyone?
At these checkpoints, every motorist is stopped and asked about their immigration status. Agents do not need any suspicion to stop you and ask you questions at a lawful checkpoint, but their questions should be brief and related to verifying immigration status. They can also visually inspect your vehicle.
How do you know if you are flagged by customs?
Extended questioning can be a sign that you've been flagged for further inspection. Secondary Inspection: If you're directed to secondary inspection upon arrival at a U.S. port of entry, it could indicate that you've been flagged for additional scrutiny.
What would disqualify you from Border Patrol?
Will any illegal drug use preclude me from obtaining a federal law enforcement position with CBP? No. However, any use of drugs (Schedule I-V, excluding marijuana, prescription drugs and anabolic steroids) within the previous three (3) years may disqualify an applicant.
What do border officers check?
As a Border Force officer, you would: check travel documents and passports. question passengers about their reasons for visiting the UK. search people, luggage and vehicles.
Can US Border Patrol check your phone?
All persons, baggage, and merchandise arriving in, or departing from, the United States are subject to inspection by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). This search authority includes all electronic devices crossing our nation's borders.
What crimes does the CBP investigate?
- Immigration crime, human rights violations and human trafficking or smuggling.
- Smuggling of weapons, narcotics, or other contraband.
- Financial crimes, money laundering, bulk cash smuggling.
- Cybercrime, website fraud.
- International art and antiquity theft.
- En Español.
What is the 100 mile rule for CBP?
Originating in a decades-old federal statute, CBP has the authority to conduct stops and searches within a “reasonable distance” of a border, defined by regulation as 100 miles. This “100-mile zone” has been used for permanent and temporary internal checkpoints and roving stops.
Can border patrol see warrants?
Many travelers wonder if CBP is alerted when an inbound passenger has a warrant for their arrest issued. Yes, CBP is alerted.
What is the cut-off age for border patrol?
In particular, candidates must: Be U.S. citizens. Hold U.S. residency for at least 3 years. Be below 40 years of age unless they qualify for Veteran eligibility or if they have work experience in federal law enforcement.
Do border patrol agents get paid well?
As of Jan 21, 2025, the average annual pay for a Border Patrol Agent in the United States is $88,157 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $42.38 an hour. This is the equivalent of $1,695/week or $7,346/month.
Does a passport show a criminal record?
Passports do not list information about a person's criminal record, including charges for driving under the influence (DUI). They typically only display personal information such as a person's name, date of birth, photograph, and passport number.
What does it mean when your passport is flagged?
Flagging a passport typically indicates that there is some concern or issue associated with the passport holder, such as suspicion of criminal activity, security threats, or administrative issues.
What do they check at border control?
Depends on the country, but usually a history of all your entries and exits into the country, as well as arrest warrants if any.