Despite warnings for decades, drinking and driving is still a major contributor to car-related accidents in the United States. According to the US DUI Report, the number of DUI arrests per 100,000 drivers in 2022 alone was upwards of 877 (South Dakota), 790 (North Dakota) and 619 (Alaska) per state, with other states varying from the 100s to 600s in DUIs per 100k drivers.
Needless to say, drunk driving, or driving while under the influence, is still a big issue in our country. It contributes to tens of thousands of deaths, injuries and damage to personal property every year. However it’s also something that can follow someone for years, if not for the rest of their life. Case in point, in the past we’ve gone over countries you can’t enter if you’ve gotten a DUI. It can also be a factor in your getting TSA PreCheck.
But what about getting Global Entry?
U.S. Customs & Border Protection includes some information about potential disqualifiers for getting Global Entry (GE). They include it as part of the GE FAQ on their website:
Is criminal history a disqualifier for Global Entry?
Global Entry is a risk-based approach to facilitate the entry of pre-approved travelers. Applicants may not qualify for Global Entry participation if they:
- Provide false or incomplete information on the application;
- Have been convicted of any criminal offense or have pending criminal charges, including outstanding warrants;
- Have been found in violation of any customs, immigration or agriculture regulations or laws in any country;
- Are subjects of an ongoing investigation by any federal, state or local law enforcement agency;
- Have been denied for the purchase of a firearm;
- Have received a criminal pardon from any country;
- Are inadmissible to the U.S. under immigration regulation, including applicants with approved waivers of inadmissibility or parole documentation; or if they
- Cannot satisfy CBP of their low-risk status or meet other program requirements.
DUI and DWI aren’t specifically mentioned but that doesn’t mean you’re home free for getting GE if you have a history of DUI/DWI. In fact, if your DUI/DWI landed you with a criminal offense (or if you have pending criminal charges due to your DUI), chances are excellent that you might be deemed ineligible. And even if you got a DUI/DWI without conviction, your arrest record alone could still count against you. Either offense reflects poor judgement and a disregard for public safety, which means you might not be considered a trusted traveler.
That being said, each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis and there are several factors that will be taken into consideration:
- The severity of the DUI/DWI offense
- The length of time since the offense occurred
- Any subsequent rehabilitation efforts
- Any subsequent offenses or criminal convictions
- Your overall criminal history and behavior
What if I don’t mention the DUI or DWI on my application?
That will pretty much guarantee that you won’t be eligible for GE. I mean, the very first thing they mention is providing false or incomplete information on the application. CBP is going to do a deep dive into your history – your DUI is 100% going to be on the national databases and other things they use . If you neglect to mention it, that will be considered providing fale/incomplete information.
If I’m denied, can I appeal?
Yes. CBP offers a formal appeals process, which allows applicants to present additional information or evidence that supports their eligibility for the program.
What if I already have Global Entry and get a DUI or DWI? Will I lose my membership?
It’s very possible. Remember, CBP continually monitors GE members, even if they’re not traveling.
Want to comment on this post? Great! Read this first to help ensure it gets approved.
Want to sponsor a post, write something for Your Mileage May Vary, or put ads on our site? Click here for more info.
Like this post? Please share it! We have plenty more just like it and would love it if you decided to hang around and sign up to get emailed notifications of when we post.
Whether you’ve read our articles before or this is the first time you’re stopping by, we’re really glad you’re here and hope you come back to visit again!
This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary
