CBP Uses Biometric Database to Catch Wanted People at Border
CBP officers at the Del Rio International Bridge arrested a man on July 15 after a biometric database check flagged a felony warrant — in seconds, at the border. The same check runs on every person who crosses a US port of entry, including immigrants with pending cases or old legal issues. If your record has anything unresolved, officers will see it.
What happened at Del Rio — and why it matters if you cross the border
What if you have an old legal issue and you are about to cross a US port of entry? On July 15, 2026, CBP officers at the Del Rio International Bridge stopped a vehicle for secondary inspection. Biometric verification through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) — a centralized law enforcement database shared across agencies — flagged an outstanding felony warrant. The driver was arrested on the spot and transferred to local law enforcement.
The subject in this case was a US citizen. But the same NCIC check runs on every person who crosses a US port of entry — including green card holders, visa holders, and people with pending immigration cases. CBP officers at Del Rio Port of Entry, led by Port Director Liliana Flores, confirmed that previous NCIC-based arrests at this port have included charges ranging from homicide and narcotics distribution to fraud and money laundering.
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Immigrant rights, appeals and protective measures
For immigrants, this matters beyond criminal warrants. If you have an outstanding order of removal, a prior deportation, or unresolved immigration court issues, those records can also surface during border checks. Crossing a port of entry — even for a short trip — can trigger detention and removal proceedings if your record shows unresolved legal matters. Lawyers recommend checking your immigration record before any international travel, especially if you have had past encounters with immigration courts.
What to do
- Before any international travel, ask an immigration attorney to check whether you have any outstanding removal orders, prior deportations, or warrants that could appear in law enforcement databases.
- If you are in removal proceedings or have an old immigration court case, do not travel outside the US without legal advice — re-entry can restart or accelerate your case.
- If you are detained at a port of entry, you have the right to remain silent and the right to contact an attorney. Do not sign any documents without legal counsel.
- If you receive a removal order after a border stop, you have 30 days to file an appeal with the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA).
Related: our step-by-step guide — “Deportation Defense”.
Fishkin Law Firm, New York
CBP's NCIC checks are instant and cover far more than criminal warrants — prior removal orders, immigration violations, and even pending cases can surface at a port of entry. If a client has any unresolved immigration history, I advise against international travel until we have confirmed their record is clear and their status is protected. Anyone stopped at the border should invoke their right to silence and request an attorney before answering questions or signing anything — consult an immigration lawyer before your next trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can CBP see my immigration court history when I cross the border?
Yes. CBP has access to federal immigration databases, not just criminal warrant systems. Prior removal orders, past deportations, and unresolved immigration cases can all appear during a border check.
What happens if I have an old removal order and I try to re-enter the US?
You can be detained and placed back into removal proceedings. In some cases, a prior removal order means you are automatically barred from re-entry for 5 to 20 years, or permanently. An immigration attorney can check your specific record before you travel.
If I am detained at a port of entry, what are my rights?
You have the right to remain silent. You have the right to contact an attorney. Do not sign any documents — including voluntary departure forms — without speaking to a lawyer first. If a removal order is issued, you have 30 days to appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA).
Does this affect green card holders or only undocumented immigrants?
It affects everyone, including green card holders and visa holders. If a green card holder has a criminal conviction or an unresolved immigration issue, CBP can detain them at the border and refer the case to ICE for removal proceedings.