Increased Scrutiny at U.S. Ports: Expedited Removal Orders in 2025

(UNITED STATES) Expedited removal orders are being issued with greater frequency at U.S. ports of entry in 2025, leading to immediate denials of entry and automatic five-year reentry bans for many travelers, including some with valid visas and even lawful permanent residents. The shift follows January 2025 executive orders from President Trump that expanded Customs and Border Protection (CBP) authority to question, search, and summarily remove people deemed inadmissible for reasons such as lacking proper documents, fraud or misrepresentation, or suspected immigration violations.

The policy also widened where expedited removal can be used: as of January 21, 2025, undocumented immigrants found anywhere in the country who cannot show two years of continuous physical presence are subject to fast-track removal without a hearing.

Changes at ports of entry and enforcement posture

CBP officers have increased secondary inspections at airports, land borders, and seaports. There are more device searches, deeper vetting of travel history, and tougher review of prior immigration actions.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, this enforcement posture has caused:

• Longer delays at primary inspection
• A sharp increase in travelers asked to provide detailed evidence of:
  • Purpose of travel
  • Past employment
  • Ties to home country or the United States

Travelers flagged for earlier visa denials, old overstays, or extended trips abroad report more referrals to secondary, where officers may cancel visas and issue expedited removal orders on the spot.

How expedited removal is being applied

Under the expanded policy, the government can apply expedited removal in two broad ways:

1. At the border to recent arrivals.
2. Inside the country to those who entered without inspection and cannot prove two years of continuous physical presence.

The continuous physical presence rule is critical. People who cannot document two full years in the U.S. can be removed quickly by CBP or Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), without an immigration court hearing. Legal challenges to the nationwide scope are pending, but agencies continue to enforce the policy aggressively.

Core consequences and process

The consequences of an expedited removal order are severe:

• Immediate removal from the U.S.
• Automatic five-year reentry bar
• No right to see an immigration judge beforehand

Officers may sometimes ask a traveler to “withdraw their application for admission” instead of issuing an order, but that option rests fully with CBP and is often not offered. Outcomes vary:

• Some travelers are detained for hours or overnight while officers question them, review device content, and prepare paperwork.
• Others are allowed to purchase a return ticket and depart promptly after processing.

If issued an expedited removal order, travelers should request a copy before departing and later may seek the CBP file (including Form I-860 and Form I-213) via a Freedom of Information Act request for legal review.

Important: Documenting the record is essential because expedited removal eliminates immigration court review.

New triggers for extra screening

CBP has broadened the triggers that lead to extra screening, including:

• Inconsistent answers during inspection
• Social media posts that suggest work on a visitor visa
• Travel to certain countries
• Suspected document fraud or misrepresentation during prior applications
• Perceived opposition to administration policies

Officers are also focusing on status maintenance:

• Student visa holders may face questions about full-time enrollment.
• Temporary workers may be asked to confirm employment, worksite, and job duties.
• Business visitors must explain planned meetings and show they will not perform productive work in the U.S.

Risks for lawful permanent residents (green card holders)

Permanent residents face new risks when returning after long trips:

• Absences over 180 days raise questions about abandonment of U.S. domicile.
• CBP officers may ask for tax records, proof of a U.S. home, pay slips, or family ties to confirm continued residence.
• If an officer believes a resident abandoned status or committed certain crimes, the case can be referred to removal proceedings or, in rare cases, the resident can be treated as seeking admission and exposed to expedited removal.

The stakes are high: a mistaken finding at the border can upend a family’s life.

Valid visa holders are not immune

Examples of vulnerabilities:

• An H-1B worker with older status gaps or a prior site visit could face deeper review.
• An F-1 student who took a reduced course load without authorization could face denial.
• An B-1/B-2 visitor with frequent long stays may be suspected of working without permission.

Officers report finding messages, gig app records, or resumes on phones that suggest unauthorized work. While device searches remain controversial, CBP retains broad authority to inspect electronic devices at the border, and refusal can lead to denial of entry.

Protections for people fearing return

If you fear harm in your home country, tell the officer immediately and request a credible fear interview. This is a screening with an asylum officer to assess the risk of persecution or torture.

• If you express fear, your case should be referred for the interview before removal proceeds.
• Bring any proof of threats or past harm to support your claim.

Practical preparation before travel

Careful preparation can reduce risk. Recommended documents and steps:

• Carry original approval notices, employment letters, pay stubs, and school records, as appropriate.
• Make sure your story matches your documents.
• If you changed employers, updated your program, or traveled for long periods, bring paperwork that explains the change.
• Permanent residents should keep proof of U.S. ties in their carry-on:
  • Lease or mortgage
  • Utility bills
  • U.S. tax filings
  • Evidence of immediate family in the country
• Avoid absences longer than six months; if unavoidable, assemble stronger evidence of ongoing residence and intent to live in the U.S.

At inspection:

• Remain calm and answer honestly; short, clear answers work best.
• Do not sign any statement you do not understand or that contains errors.
• Ask for an interpreter if needed.
• If an officer questions unauthorized work, explain and show that activities matched your status.
• For business visitors, emphasize that you will not perform local employment.
• If asked to unlock a device, know that refusal can lead to denial of entry.
• Clean up devices before travel; remove old resumes and work files that can be misread.

After an expedited removal order — consequences and remedies

Because expedited removal orders carry a five-year bar, the aftermath can be long and costly:

• Waivers exist but are rarely granted and can take months or longer.
• During the bar, future visa applications will likely face extra scrutiny.
• Applicants must disclose the order and explain what happened, usually with legal counsel.
• Some travelers are allowed to withdraw their application for admission, which avoids the five-year bar but still cancels the visa and requires a new visa application abroad.

Advocates warn that the nationwide use of expedited removal against people lacking two years of continuous presence creates special risks for mixed-status families. For example, a parent driving across states could face summary removal if stopped by ICE and cannot show two years of residence through rent records, bills, school letters, or medical records.

Lawyers advise people who entered without inspection to carry proof of presence covering the last two years and to discuss safety planning with trusted relatives.

Official positions and legal challenges

• CBP and ICE officials say they are following the law and prioritizing cases involving fraud, criminal activity, or public safety concerns.
• Critics argue that fast-track decisions without court review increase the chance of wrongful removals, especially when language barriers and complex rules are involved.
• Court challenges continue; until judges restrict the policy, front-line officers retain broad discretion to act quickly.

What to do if you face secondary inspection

• Ask whether withdrawal of application is possible (this is discretionary).
• If you fear harm in your home country, clearly request protection screening (credible fear interview).
• If you are detained or issued an order, contact a qualified immigration attorney as soon as possible.
• If an officer prepares paperwork, request copies and read them carefully before signing.

Official resource

Travelers can review CBP Inspection Process to prepare for typical questions and document review before a trip to the U.S.:

• CBP Inspection Process

This guidance does not replace legal advice but helps set expectations for what officers may ask and what documents they commonly request.

Key reminders for 2025 travel

• Expect longer wait times and more detailed questioning at ports of entry.
• Keep proof of status, travel purpose, and ties to your home country or the U.S. within easy reach.
• If you have prior immigration issues, consult counsel before travel and prepare a clear, honest explanation.
• If an officer prepares paperwork, request copies and read them carefully before signing.
• If you fear persecution or torture, request a credible fear interview without delay.

The policy remains in effect nationwide, and enforcement is immediate at the border and inside the country. Whether you hold a visa, a green card, or no status at all, the most important steps are preparation, honesty, and prompt legal help if things go wrong. Small errors can snowball into serious outcomes; knowing the rules on expedited removal, the role of ports of entry, and the weight placed on continuous physical presence can help you make safer choices before you book a ticket or step up to a booth.