Reentering after 7 years
I’m traveling back to the U.S. after being outside the country for about 7 years and I’m honestly pretty nervous.
I’ve had a green card since 2009, and in the past I’ve also had long gaps outside the U.S., but never this long. I’ll be entering through DFW.
A few questions for anyone who’s been through something similar:
- How does CBP know how long you’ve been outside the U.S.? Do they already see entry/exit history when they scan your green card/passport?
- If they ask how long I’ve been away, is it better to be direct?
- If you get sent to secondary inspection, what are the possible outcomes in practice?
- Has anyone here had their case referred to an immigration judge after a long absence? What was the process like?
- Any experiences specifically at DFW? I’ve heard different airports can feel stricter or more lenient.
- Hypothetical question: if someone is eligible for ESTA, could they try entering that way instead of using a green card? Would CBP already know the person has/had permanent resident status when they arrive?
Would really appreciate hearing from anyone with firsthand experience.