Immigration procedure at ORD

Question

Hello,

I have a question about the current immigration procedure at ORD.

Friday I came in on a flight from Amsterdam. I am a US citizen, living in South Africa where my first flight originated.

Upon arrival at ORD, there were 3 lines, Gloval entry, US Citizens and visitors. I got in the US Citizens line.

I had my passport out but it is in a case. The people in my line were directed to put passports away, they were not needed. So you would not even be able to know I even had a passport.

My photo was taken. I was asked if I had food or expensive gifts which I said no. I was given a green card and proceeded to bagage claim. After bagage claim I handed the green card to someone at the checkpoint and I left. No one ever checked my passport.

My question is, is this normal now? I haven’t been here for 3 years and seems kind of crazy to me. Also, could there be any issues on my return to South Africa that I was never stamped in anywhere? It will be very apparent as it is a new passport with only one other trip in it.

Thanks for any comments, I just found it really strange with all of the immigration isssues going on

Answer

What you experienced at O'Hare (ORD) on your arrival as a U.S. citizen is indeed part of the current streamlined process for U.S. citizens and certain travelers, especially with the expansion of automated border processing and Global Entry kiosks. Here’s a breakdown of the situation and answers to your concerns:

1. Automated Passport Control (APC) and Global Entry: Many U.S. airports, including ORD, have implemented a system called Automated Passport Control (APC), which allows U.S. citizens and certain travelers to self-process their arrival. At certain times, Global Entry kiosks (which are available to those enrolled in the program) or even regular APC lanes can expedite entry. These systems take your photo and ask basic questions (e.g., customs declarations), after which you receive a receipt (like the green card you mentioned) instead of a traditional passport stamp.

2. Why Your Passport Wasn’t Checked: It’s not unusual that your passport wasn’t checked in the traditional way. The process you experienced, where U.S. citizens are directed to put their passports away, is part of an effort to speed up processing for U.S. citizens. Your photo was likely captured as part of the facial recognition system used to confirm your identity in place of the traditional passport check. Additionally, with your Global Entry (or similar) status, the system may have identified you as a low-risk traveler, making manual inspection unnecessary.

3. Impact on Your Return to South Africa: While your experience may feel a bit strange, there shouldn’t be any significant issue with your return to South Africa. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has a record of your entry into the U.S., even if it wasn’t stamped in your passport. When you leave the U.S., CBP has your exit information (usually through flight data), and they’ll update your record accordingly. As for South Africa, you should notify the South African authorities about your entry into the U.S. when you return, but there shouldn’t be a problem, as your U.S. entry will be electronically documented, even if you don’t have a physical stamp in your passport.

What you can do: If you are concerned about your lack of a stamp for your travels, you can always ask the airline or check with South African immigration authorities upon your return to ensure they have an accurate record of your U.S. entry.
Global Entry or APC for future travel: If you’re not already enrolled in Global Entry or similar programs, they can help expedite entry for future U.S. trips and give you access to the streamlined process.

4. Is This Normal?: Yes, this process is becoming more common, especially as the U.S. implements automated systems to make immigration and customs processes more efficient. It’s not "crazy" but rather part of the move toward modernizing border entry procedures. While it may seem unusual if you haven’t traveled to the U.S. in a while, it’s now a standard process for many returning U.S. citizens.

In summary, what you experienced is part of the modernized immigration procedure, and while it may feel different, there should be no issues with your return to South Africa, as your entry was recorded electronically. If you have any concerns, it's a good idea to double-check with South African authorities just to ensure everything is properly documented on their side.