System Notice for Global Enrollment System (GES)
JUSTICE/INS-017
SYSTEM NAME:
Global Enrollment System (GES)
SYSTEM LOCATION:
Land border ports of entry and airports inspection facilities under the District Offices of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) in the United States as detailed in JUSTICE/INS‑999; and the Preregistered Access Lane (PAL) and enrollment center for the (INS) checkpoint in San Clemente, California under the INS San Diego Sector Headquarters Office.
CATEGORIES OF INDIVIDUALS COVERED BY THE SYSTEM:
United States citizens and lawful permanent residents of the United States as determined eligible by the Commissioner of the INS who apply to use any form of automated or other expedited inspection for verifying eligibility to cross the borders into the United States, or to register to pass through the PAL at the INS checkpoint in San Clemente, California.
CATEGORIES OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM:
The system will contain application data such as full name, place and date of birth, sex, addresses, telephone numbers, country of citizenship, alien registration number (if applicable), biometric data, driver's license number and issuing state or province, the make, model, color, year, license number and license issuing state or province of the applicant's vehicle, the name and address of the vehicle's registered owners if different from the applicant, and the amount of fee paid. The application will also include such information as the frequency of border crossings, and the most frequent reason for crossing the border, together with an indication from the individual as to whether he or she has been arrested or convicted of any violations of law. In addition, the file may contain a brief notation indicating that (1) through an independent check of other law enforcement agency systems, INS determined that the applicant had been convicted of a specific violation(s) of law (a finding which could prompt denial of the application) or (2) through a random inspection, INS identified a specific violation(s) of law which provided cause to remove the individual from the program. Finally, the file will contain letters to the applicants indicating the disposition of their applications.
AUTHORITY FOR MAINTENANCE OF THE SYSTEM:
8 U.S.C. 1101, 1103, 1201, 1304, and 1356 (Pub. L. No. 101‑515, 103‑121,103‑217).
PURPOSE (S):
Information in this system is used to adjudicate applications (1) to enter the United States by any available form of automated or other expedited inspection, including that offered to travelers arriving in the United States via dedicated commuter lanes, to pedestrians and vehicles arriving at remote ports of entry, to pedestrians and vehicles arriving at other lands borders, and to air travelers; and (2) to pass through the PAL at the INS checkpoint in San Clemente, CA. Alternative methods of inspection have been established to reduce delays by allowing low‑risk frequent border crossers and users of the San Clemente checkpoint who have been pre‑screened and pre‑authorized, to enter the United States subject only to some form of automated inspection and random inspections.
ROUTINE USERS OF RECORDS MAINTAINED IN THE SYSTEM, INCLUDING CATEGORIES OF USERS AND THE PURPOSES OF SUCH USES:
Relevant information contained in this system of records may be disclosed to the following:
- To federal, state, and local government agencies, foreign governments, individuals, and organizations during the course of investigation in the processing of a matter or a proceeding within the purview of the immigration and nationality laws, to elicit information required by the INS to carry out its functions and statutory mandates.
- Where there is an indication of a violation or potential violation of law (whether civil, criminal or regulatory in nature), to the appropriate agency (whether Federal, State, local or foreign), charged with the responsibility of investigating or prosecuting such violations or charged with enforcing or implementing the statute, rule, regulation or order issued pursuant thereto.
- Where there is an indication of a violation or potential violation of the law of another nation (whether civil, criminal or regulatory in nature), to the appropriate foreign government agency charged with the responsibility of investigating or prosecuting such violations or with enforcing or implementing such laws, and to international organizations engaged in the collection and dissemination of intelligence concerning criminal activity.
- To a Member of Congress or staff acting upon the Member's behalf when the Member or staff requests the information on behalf of and at the request of the individual who is the subject of the record.
- To the General Services Administration and the National Archives and Records Administration in records management inspections conducted under the authority of 44 U.S.C. 2904 and 2906.
POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR STORING, RETRIEVING, ACCESSING, RETAINING, AND DISPOSING OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM:
STORAGE:
These records are stored in manila folders and on hard disk and diskette.
RETRIEVABILITY:
These records are retrieved by name, address, and/or vehicle license number.
SAFEGUARDS:
INS offices are located in building under guard and access to the premises is by official identification. Personal computers are accessed by user identification and password levels to assure that accessibility is limited to persons having a need‑to‑know. Similarly, paper records are protected from unauthorized access in locked files.
RETENTION AND DISPOSAL:
- Destroy all records three years after the dedicated commuter lane permit expires or three years after the denial of an application or removal of an individual from the program.
- Litigation records will be destroyed three years after resolution or court decision. At the end of the three years, automated records will be erased, and paper records will be destroyed by shredding.
SYSTEM MANAGER AND ADDRESS:
Assistant Commissioner, Inspections, 425 I Street, NW, Washington, DC 20536.
NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES:
Address your inquiries to the Port Director or Border Patrol Chief (if known) or to the system manager identified above.
RECORDS ACCESS PROCEDURES:
Make all requests for access in writing to the Freedom of Information Act/Privacy Act (FOIA/PA) Officer at the nearest INS Officer, or in the INS office maintaining the desired records (if known) by using the List of JUSTICE/INS‑999, published in the Federal Register. Clearly mark the envelope and letter "Privacy Act Request." Provide the A‑file number and/or the full name and date of birth, with a notarized signature of the individual who is the subject of the records, and a return address.
CONTESTING RECORDS PROCEDURES:
Direct all requests to contest or amend information in the record to the FOIA/PA Officer at one of the addresses identified above. State clearly and concisely the information being contested, the reason for contesting it, and the proposed amendment thereof. Clearly mark the envelope and letter "Privacy Act Request." Provide the A‑file number and/or the full name and date of birth, with a notarized signature of the individual who is subject of the records, and a return address.
RECORD SOURCE CATEGORIES:
The primary source of information is the application. Other law enforcement records systems may be used as sources.
SYSTEM EXEMPTED FROM CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE ACT:
None.
