This is an exert for a document detailing the TECS system. This reference may help individuals better understand the process and systems by which assessments are made when attempting to enter the US.
The TECS (not an acronym) System is the updated and modified version of the former Treasury Enforcement Communications System.
TECS is owned and managed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) component United States (U.S.) Customs and Border Protection (CBP). TECS is both an information-sharing platform, which allows users to access different databases that may be maintained on the platform or accessed through the platform, and the name of a system of records that include temporary and permanent enforcement, inspection, and operational records relevant to the antiterrorism and law enforcement mission of CBP and numerous other federal agencies that it supports.
How TECS is utilized:
Individuals traveling to the US are required to present themselves to CBP at a designated point of entry (POE) upon arrival in the U.S or at a pre-clearance facility. The CBP officer obtains information directly from the individual via the travel documents presented (e.g., passport, other border crossing credential, and verbal communication) and verifies the information.
Here, the CBP officer will conduct a TECS query to see if there are prior CBP violations that might indicate a need for further review as well as queries against lookouts, such as “wants and warrants,” terrorist watchlist, etc. If the CBP officer at primary determines that there may be an issue requiring further inspection, such as concerns regarding admissibility, agriculture, or customs (baggage), then the traveler, typically, will be referred to another CBP officer at secondary for processing. At the time of the referral to secondary, the CBP officer at primary creates a record in TECS. Individuals who are required to obtain an I-94 or I-94W will be referred to secondary for processing, but this action does not mean that the CBP officer at primary will create a separate Subject Record of the inspection in TECS. For all individuals entering the U.S. at a POE, a record detailing the traveler’s border crossing is captured through TECS and maintained in the BCI (Border Crossing Information subsystem).
A CBP officer at secondary may perform simple questioning or a full inspection relating to issues such as admissibility, customs (baggage), or agricultural issues, based on the circumstances. During an inspection at secondary, the CBP Officer may run law enforcement queries through TECS and other systems on the TECS Platform. If the secondary inspection results in a violation being discovered, then a record may also be created in SEACATS (Seized Asset and Case
Tracking System).
source (PDF): http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/privacy/privacy-pia-cbp-tecs.pdf
The TECS (not an acronym) System is the updated and modified version of the former Treasury Enforcement Communications System.
TECS is owned and managed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) component United States (U.S.) Customs and Border Protection (CBP). TECS is both an information-sharing platform, which allows users to access different databases that may be maintained on the platform or accessed through the platform, and the name of a system of records that include temporary and permanent enforcement, inspection, and operational records relevant to the antiterrorism and law enforcement mission of CBP and numerous other federal agencies that it supports.
How TECS is utilized:
Individuals traveling to the US are required to present themselves to CBP at a designated point of entry (POE) upon arrival in the U.S or at a pre-clearance facility. The CBP officer obtains information directly from the individual via the travel documents presented (e.g., passport, other border crossing credential, and verbal communication) and verifies the information.
Here, the CBP officer will conduct a TECS query to see if there are prior CBP violations that might indicate a need for further review as well as queries against lookouts, such as “wants and warrants,” terrorist watchlist, etc. If the CBP officer at primary determines that there may be an issue requiring further inspection, such as concerns regarding admissibility, agriculture, or customs (baggage), then the traveler, typically, will be referred to another CBP officer at secondary for processing. At the time of the referral to secondary, the CBP officer at primary creates a record in TECS. Individuals who are required to obtain an I-94 or I-94W will be referred to secondary for processing, but this action does not mean that the CBP officer at primary will create a separate Subject Record of the inspection in TECS. For all individuals entering the U.S. at a POE, a record detailing the traveler’s border crossing is captured through TECS and maintained in the BCI (Border Crossing Information subsystem).
A CBP officer at secondary may perform simple questioning or a full inspection relating to issues such as admissibility, customs (baggage), or agricultural issues, based on the circumstances. During an inspection at secondary, the CBP Officer may run law enforcement queries through TECS and other systems on the TECS Platform. If the secondary inspection results in a violation being discovered, then a record may also be created in SEACATS (Seized Asset and Case
Tracking System).
source (PDF): http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/privacy/privacy-pia-cbp-tecs.pdf
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