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A Felony Does Not Always Mean Automatic Disqualification
One of the most common questions we receive is: can I get Global Entry if I have a felony conviction? The answer is: sometimes.
A felony conviction is one of the most significant issues that can appear in a . However, contrary to what many travelers assume, a felony conviction does not automatically mean approval is impossible. The more important question is: how is CBP evaluating that conviction today? Because are not simply criminal-record decisions — they are risk-assessment decisions. And understanding that distinction is critical.
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The Biggest Misconception About Felony Convictions
Many travelers assume felony = automatic denial. That is not always true. CBP is attempting to determine whether a traveler qualifies as a under . The conviction is one piece of that analysis. Other factors may include the nature of the offense, the age of the offense, whether there were multiple incidents, evidence of rehabilitation, employment history, military service, security clearance history, community involvement, and the overall record. This is one reason two travelers with felony convictions can receive very different outcomes.
Not All Felony Convictions Are Viewed The Same
CBP does not necessarily evaluate every felony identically. Examples that may affect the analysis include , fraud-related felonies, theft-related felonies, financial crimes, violent offenses, weapons offenses, and other serious criminal conduct. The nature of the offense often matters — and so does the surrounding context.
The Questions CBP Is Often Asking
Many travelers focus on what happened? CBP is often focused on: what does this conviction tell us about risk today? Examples include: how long ago did it occur, was it isolated, has there been any recurrence, what has happened since, and what evidence supports trustworthiness today? Those questions frequently drive the analysis. .
Why Old Felony Convictions Are Different Than Recent Ones
Time often matters. A felony conviction from last year is generally viewed differently than one from fifteen years ago — particularly if the traveler has maintained a clean record since then. The passage of time does not erase the conviction. But it may affect how the government evaluates current risk. .
The Record Often Matters More Than the Conviction
The conviction itself is only one piece of the file. The government may also evaluate , dispositions, sentencing documents, proof of completion, rehabilitation evidence, employment history, character references, military service, and other mitigation. That is why many successful appeals focus heavily on the record surrounding the conviction rather than the conviction alone. .
What Makes Some Felony Cases Stronger Than Others?
Strong cases often involve:
✔ Old conviction
✔ Isolated incident
✔ Significant rehabilitation
✔ Strong employment history
✔ Community involvement
✔ Supporting documentation
✔ No subsequent issues
More difficult cases often involve:
✖ Recent conviction
✖ Multiple incidents
✖ Ongoing legal issues
✖ Limited mitigation
✖ Lack of supporting evidence
Every case is different.
Why National Security Law Firm?
Global Entry Cases Are Risk-Assessment Cases
Many law firms approach Global Entry denials as criminal-law cases. CBP does not. The real question is whether CBP views you as a under .
National Security Law Firm approaches Global Entry appeals from a perspective. Our founder, Brett O’Brien, previously worked in intelligence law and conducted Security Threat Assessments for the government. That experience provides insight into how government agencies evaluate risk, trustworthiness, mitigation, and eligibility for trusted credentials.
A , , , or does not exist in a vacuum. The issue is how CBP interprets that information and whether sufficient mitigation exists to overcome the concern.
More Than 1,000 Global Entry Matters Handled
National Security Law Firm has handled more than 1,000 Global Entry and Trusted Traveler Program matters. That experience provides pattern recognition that most attorneys never develop. We have seen how CBP responds to , , , , , and .
We Do More Than Write Appeal Letters
Successful appeals often require far more than a simple explanation. Our team helps , identify missing dispositions, analyze potential risk factors, develop , prepare supporting documentation, and build designed to address CBP’s concerns directly. .
In qualifying cases, our Global Entry appeal service includes our Approved or Reinstated — or Your Legal Fee Back promise. to determine whether your case qualifies.
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The Bottom Line
A felony conviction is one of the most significant issues that can affect a . But the conviction itself is rarely the entire story. The stronger question is: how does the government evaluate that conviction today? Understanding that distinction often determines how the appeal should be approached and what evidence is most important. .
Flat-Fee Global Entry Appeal Representation
National Security Law Firm handles Global Entry and Trusted Traveler Program appeals on a $2,995 flat fee with a full legal-fee refund if the appeal is not successful and we accepted the matter for full representation.
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