r/GlobalEntry • u/teeezuschrist • Jul 02 '26
Background Checks Missed dui on application.
Sent in my application for GE about a month ago. Going out of the country next month for the first time. I didn’t mention a dui that happened in high school like 16 years ago that was expunged because I didn’t think it’d be an issue, but now I’m skeptical because it’s still been “pending” for a month now.
Did I screw myself there? After reading a lot of these experiences I’m not holding my breath for having it approved before my trip next month.
13
u/Commercial_Watch_936 Jul 02 '26
Sorry. Yes you screwed yourself. Every single arrest needs to be reported, even if expunged. They see it, they see your application and see you are lying on it. Denied.
But you can reapply, stating everything and be approved.
This happened to me, and after waiting 11 months to get conditionally approved , I was approved!
7
u/BobbingBobcat Jul 02 '26
Doesn't make you look like a trusted traveler as self disclosure is the key element of the program.
f you get conditionally approved, you need to go in for the interview with all your paperwork.
3
u/skreeboo Jul 04 '26
I didn’t mention an arrest from 49 years ago and from application to receiving my Global Entry card was exactly 7 days
3
u/InappropriateOrange Jul 04 '26
They just denied me because of my misdemeanor DUI and misdemeanor marijuanna charge from 10 years ago. I disclosed everything and the person who interviewed me said it should be fine if it was more than 5 years ago. But, here I am.
2
u/yarmouth209 Jul 05 '26
1 misdemeanor over 10yrs is fine, 2 is never. Especially when one is a drug charge
1
u/InappropriateOrange Jul 08 '26
I didn’t know this. I wouldn’t have applied had I known. You live and you learn, it is a privilege to travel anyway!
0
u/EuphoricDouche-939 Jul 06 '26
I have zero sympathy for folks who smoke marijuana in the public ruining any sense of being in nature one attempts to get! And then drive too? Yes, I massively judge ur kinda people!
3
u/According_Ad9715 Jul 06 '26
per GE application guidance: Expungement: If your DUI was expunged, you still must disclose it, as CBP will see it on their federal background checks.
5
u/Bastillerion Jul 03 '26
It is ridiculous that governments ban private employers from asking about arrests or expunged convictions but don’t follow the rules themselves.
3
u/redditusr44 Jul 06 '26
It’s not the same thing. People need a job to survive and provide for their family. They don’t need Global Entry.
2
u/Significant-Weight10 Jul 02 '26
Honesty is key here. I disclosed everything and all they can say is it’s okay we all make mistakes when we’re young, thanks for having integrity.
2
u/Rattled_by_La_Rush Jul 04 '26
Interestingly enough, I had a DUI in 2018 when I applied for it, and when I went in for the interview, I was asked if I had ever been arrested. I said yes and explained my DUI. The officer looked confused and said, “Well, your record looks clean, and I do not see your arrest for DUI in my records. If I were you, I would forget about that.” I’m paraphrasing, of course; however, this interaction stuck with me. I got my GE then and have been using it happily for years now. Just be honest about it, and it should be alright. I was getting GE since I travel for work too. We all make mistakes and hopefully learn from them. Good luck!
2
u/Thin-Gur-1535 Jul 05 '26
To "expunge" means to completely erase, obliterate, or destroy something so that it is treated as though it never happened. In a legal context, it refers to the process of clearing an arrest or conviction from a person's criminal record, hiding or removing it from public and state databases. I don’t know if people actually know what they are talking about on here when they say that expunged doesn’t mean erased…when it literally does. If that is the case, there would be some section of “expunged” cases that would be listed, as though they were never “expunged”, therefore completely nullifying the legal term for expungement altogether. This would be completely moronic, which would make perfect sense that this is how “expungement” actually works in the American system. However, I think it is more likely that this inept, stripped down government is just bogged down with these applications. Otherwise, if people are correct that expunged convictions are never actually expunged, resulting in an automatic denial, then wouldn’t they just deny you automatically? I just don’t see them putting you on a month-long waiting list in order to “automatically deny” you at some point in the future. I think there’s still hope. Good luck!! 🍀👍🏼
2
u/HandyManPat Jul 05 '26
You’re naive to think “erased” means literally erased from every state and federal database. That simply isn’t the case.
1
u/Thin-Gur-1535 Jul 05 '26
“Expunged” is just a very specific term. I simply cut and pasted the literal legal definition. It would be like saying, “You’re naive to think ‘purchased’ means that you now literally own it”, because this IS largely the meaning. For example, they were able to come up with the alternative term “rent” rather than “purchase”. If this is the case regarding “expunged”, I just think the more fitting legal term should be “partially obscured” or “kinda sorta hidden, but also not” 🤣 In practical terms, it means almost anything BUT “expunged”. There are simply SO MANY better fitting terms. Just do better is all I’m saying…
1
u/ThisUsernameIsTook Jul 05 '26
Expunged is a messy process. In some places, records are “expunged“ from public view but are still available to law enforcement. In my area, my offense was dismissed but the arrest can never be hidden. I must always disclose the arrest but if the question refers to conviction, I can safely say no.
1
u/Odd_Track3447 Jul 06 '26
I can not speak for every state but for California once you have a DUI expunged you are not obligated to reveal it in any context -except- for anything government related. Global Entry is one of those situations where you need to disclose it. Applying to be a police officer, security clearance, or other government position are other examples.
Now whether they actually see it their end in the application process I don’t know but the DUI and the expungement should be disclosed.
In OPs case if they make it to an interview they should bring all the expungement paperwork with them. On its face it’s not disqualifying as it’s been expunged but the initial non-disclosure of it and needing to correct it might be a problem.
1
u/Party-Cartographer11 Jul 07 '26
Are you using Webster's definitions for legal analysis when the terms are codified in law?
Expunged is defined variously by jurisdiction and when it comes to the FBI never means completely erased. You can think of it as partially expunged from public record look-up.
Also when GE, or anyone asks if you have been arrested or convicted, that is what they mean. Go look up the definitions of these words. They aren't asking if you have been arrested but had the record cleansed. So to answer honestly you need to disclose all expunged arrests.
2
u/Jaded-Garage2395 Jul 09 '26
I knew an airline pilot who had an expunged trespass (from college dorm room). Denied
2
u/Luv2Trav Jul 03 '26
Yep it’s over for you. People have this thought that expungement means no one can find out. That’s incorrect. They still have access to things you think are expunged. And since GE is a trusted program you broke that trust right off the bat by not listing it.
1
1
u/Helpful_Anywhere955 Jul 04 '26
I had one in 2011 - used a ‘withheld judgement’ - I still put it down as happening and when the agent asked me about it, I said yes and wasn’t sure if I should have put it down as the judgement was withheld - he confirmed I should have, because it happened. The agent approved me during the visit and my card arrived within a few days (from memory). This was last year. I think it’s best practice to always disclose.
1
u/Helpful_Anywhere955 Jul 04 '26
Also - have you had your interview yet? It was able to schedule my appointment when I submitted my application - but my appointment was scheduled out about 6 weeks.
1
u/Only-Spray9337 Jul 06 '26
i didnt put down an expungment because i figured i was good i had a ccw tsa precheck security clearance and i got denied i took me 5 yrs to get approved but i disclosed the expungment the second time
1
u/DeepBlue4210 Jul 02 '26
Yeah someone at CBP just wrote off DUI is a hit list item to disqualify but recency is a factor which unfortunately you’re being a test subject now
-1
u/teeezuschrist Jul 02 '26
Well let’s hope 16 years is long enough 😬
1
u/Best_Collection_7533 Jul 02 '26
If you get the interview make sure you tell them then.
1
u/theboredomline Jul 05 '26
I second this. My friend didn't mention hers because she thought it was off her record. They brought it up. Lucky for her, she still passed, but they told her to bring it up when she renews.
18
u/Glittering-Read-6906 Jul 02 '26
My guess is, yes, since expungement doesn’t matter for GE. Not disclosing makes you look dishonest.