Can I be denied entry If I make a stop in a US airport ...?

Question

Hi,

So i was arrested in the US for petty theft a year ago,,, I was not convicted of any crime (state law) but plead guilty to attempt of theft (which I think for immigration purposes its a conviction),,,anwyays,,, and I am leaving the country soon, I will be going to Europe and then back to Mexico but was thinking if making a stop in the US would be an issue? I will not intend to leave the airport, just to make a stop to take my next flight, is it likely I can be deinied access??? If so, what happens, do they put me back to Europe or to Mexico :D? I have both citizenships...

thanks

Answer 1

If you are flying from Europe to Mexico and have a connecting flight in the US is not a problem.  You are not actually in the US until you go through customs.  Which in your case:  1. They will deny without proper paperwork.  2. You would not be going through customs just to get your connecting flight.  Don't do something stupid while you are in the airport and get arrested again or you will be in the US for awhile.

I fly to the Philippines from the US and have a connecting flight in Japan.  I am not considered as having visited Japan, as I never go through customs there or have my passport stamped there and never leave the secure area of the airport.  

Have a good trip.

Answer 2

The US did away with transit visas.  If you are coming in from Europe and changing planes in the US you will be required to pass through customs and immigration before you can get on your next flight.  You'll need a full US visa to do this.

What will happen?  You'll never get on the plane leaving Europe for the US because you won't have a visa and the airline will not let you board without it.

National MEXICO (MX)

Transit U.S.A. (US)

Destination MEXICO (MX)        

U.S.A. (US)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION (CBP) TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED BOTH THE US TRANSIT

WITHOUT VISA (TWOV) AND INTERNATIONAL-TO-INTERNATIONAL (ITI) PROGRAMS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

Those intending to transit the U.S.A. must comply with entry

requirements. Please make entries applicable to destination

U.S.A.

All passengers arriving from any country, except those

pre-inspected in Canada, must deplane the aircraft and proceed directly to either the Federal Inspection Services (FIS) area for inspection, or to an CBP-approved (Customs and Border Protection) in-transit/progressive clearance lounge. Those passengers going to the in-transit/progressive clearance lounge will go through a CBP inspection.

Until further notice, all in-transit passengers and passengers

on progressive flights will be inspected at the first U.S.

port of arrival. This supersedes previous in-transit passenger

processes. These new procedures also require CBP inspection of progressive flights (flights clearing passengers at more than one port) at the first port.

For Information relating to the Transit Passenger Inspection

Pilot Program (TPIPP) for Cathay Pacific (CX) flights between Hong Kong and Toronto, see For details, click here .

Non-compliance with transit requirements will result in fines

varying between USD 2,000 and USD 3,000 per passenger at transit point (detention costs at carrier's expense).

Fines for incomplete/inaccurately filled out I-94W Forms are

USD 1,000.- per passenger.

MEXICO (MX)

Passport (may be expired) required; or one of the following

documents: - Matricula Consular (may be expired); or

- Birth Certificate with consular registration; or

- Certificate of Nationality issued by Mexican consulate

  abroad; or

- Voter's Certificate ( Credencial IFE  or  Credencial para

  Votar"); or

- Certificate of Military Duty ( Cartilla Militar ).

Warning: if departing from the U.S.A., a (valid) passport will

be required by U.S. Immigration authorities. For full listing

of accepted documents, see: TINEWS/N4 .

Answer 3

You will need a passport.  A passport will allow to travel without interruption.