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Immigration News Briefs

Provided by Sadia Subhani

July 2025

When entering the U.S. during the busy summer travel season, you may encounter Customs & Border Patrol (CBP) officers, or Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents, who are part of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Here are answers to questions you may have upon encountering agents at the Ports of Entry (POE).

Can you be searched even if you are “in status” or a permanent resident or a U.S. citizen?

Generally, officers may stop people to determine whether they are admissible to the U.S., and can search belongings for contraband. This is true even if there is no cause for suspicion. The government believes this authority to search without suspicion extends to searches of electronic devices, although this is a contested issue.

What questions do I have to answer about my legal status?

If you are a U.S. citizen, you only have to answer questions establishing your identity and citizenship, although refusing to answer routine questions about your travel could result in delay and/or further inspection. If you are a lawful permanent resident who has maintained your status, you only have to answer questions establishing your identity and permanent residency. Refusal to answer other questions will likely cause delay, but officials may not deny you entry into the country for failure to answer. If you are a non-citizen visa holder or visitor, you may be denied entry if you refuse to answer questions. If you are told you cannot enter the country and you fear you might be persecuted or tortured if you are sent back to the country from which you traveled, you should tell the officer about your fear and ask for asylum.

Can U.S. customs officers ask questions about religion or political opinions?

Religious and political beliefs are protected by the First Amendment. If you are a citizen or a permanent resident, you do not have to answer questions about your religious beliefs or political opinions, and you cannot be denied entry to the U.S. for declining to answer. If an officer persists in asking you such questions, you can request to see a supervisor. If you are a non-citizen visa holder or visitor, you may decline to answer general questions about your religious beliefs and political opinions, but doing so may lead to delay or additional questioning, or possibly denial of your entry into the country.

What can I do if I’m put into secondary inspection?

If you are selected for additional questioning, and if the officers’ questions become intrusive or improper, you should complain and ask to speak to a supervisor. (This goes for citizens, permanent residents, or non-citizen visa holders and visitors.) Although CBP takes the position that you are not entitled to an attorney during primary and secondary inspection, we encourage you to have the telephone number of an attorney or legal services organization with you and ask to contact them if you feel your rights are being violated or if you have been detained for an unusually long period.

For anyone attempting to enter the U.S., if an officer informs you that you are under arrest, or if it becomes clear that he or she suspects you have committed a crime, you should ask to speak to a lawyer before answering any further questions—and if you wish to exercise your right to remain silent, you should say so out loud. If you believe you are mistakenly on a no-fly or other national security list, you should contact the TSA and file an inquiry using the Traveler Redress Inquiry Program on the TSA website.

APPLICATION FINAL ACTION DATES FOR JULY 2025

FAMILY	India	Pakistan/Bangladesh
1st	15Jul16	15Jul16
2A	01Sep22	01Sep22
2B	15Oct16	15Oct16
3rd	01Aug11	**01Aug11**
4th	08Jul06	01Jan08

EMPLOYMENT	India	Pakistan/Bangladesh
1st	15Feb22	Current
2nd	01Jan13	15Oct23
3rd	22Apr13	**01Apr23**
Other	22Apr13	08Jul21
4th	U	U
5th	01May19	Current1B

DATES FOR FILING VISA APPLICATIONS - JULY 2025

FAMILY	India	Pakistan/Bangladesh
1st	01Sep17	01Sep17
2A	01Mar25	01Mar25
2B	01Jan17	01Jan17
3rd	22Jul12	22Jul12
4th	01Dec06	08Sep08

EMPLOYMENT	India	Pakistan/Bangladesh
1st	15Apr22	Current
2nd	01Feb13	15Nov23
3rd	08Jun13	01Mar23
Other	08Jun13	22Jul21
4th	01Feb21	01Feb21
5th	01Apr22	Current1B