Privacy Documents for U.S. Customs and Border Protection

DHS/CBP/PIA-001(e) - Advanced Passenger Information System (APIS) Update National Counter Terrorism Center (NCTC)

DHS/CBP/PIA-001(e) Advanced Passenger Information System (APIS) Update National Counter Terrorism Center (NCTC), June 23, 2011(PDF, 7 pages – 183.57KB) The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is updating the Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) for the Advanced Passenger Information System (APIS) in order to provide further notice of the expansion of routine sharing of APIS with the intelligence community in support of the Department’s mission to protect the United States from potential terrorist activities.

Associated SORN(s):

• DHS/CBP-005 - Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) November 18, 2008, 73 FR 68435
  • Final Rule for Privacy Act Exemptions November 18, 2008 73 FR 68291

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DHS/CBP/PIA-002(a) - Global Enrollment System (GES) Update

DHS/CBP/PIA-002(a)  Global Enrollment System Update, November 1, 2006 (PDF, 5 pages - 190 KB) This is an update to the previous Global Enrollment System PIA, dated April 20, 2006. It was prepared in order to include a description and analysis of the Global On-Line Enrollment System, which is the new online application process for enrollment in Customs and Border Protection trusted traveler programs. With the new system, CBP will be able to offer an on-line enrollment process to prospective and existing members of GES programs.

Associated SORN(s):

• DHS/CBP-002 - Global Enrollment System April 21, 2006, 71 FR 20708

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DHS/CBP/PIA-003(a) - Filing Data (ACS/ACE)

DHS/CBP/PIA-003(a)  Automated Commercial System (ACS)/ Automated Commercial Environment (ACE)- Importer Security Filing Data, December 2, 2008 (PDF, 17 pages - 230 KB) U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is expanding and revising the collection of data from carriers and importers to the Automated Commercial System (ACS) in an effort to prevent terrorist weapons from being transported to the United States. Using ACS, CBP collects cargo, carrier, importer, and other data to achieve improved high-risk cargo targeting as required by Section 203 of the Security and Accountability for Every Port Act of 2006 (Pub. L. 109-347, 120 Stat. 1884 (SAFE Port Act)). This PIA is being conducted to explore the use of personally identifiable information contained in the Importer Security Filing submitted by the importer to CBP.

Associated SORN(s):

• DHS/CBP-001 - Automated Commercial Environment/International Trade Data System (ACE/ITDS) January 19, 2006, 71 FR 3109
• DHS/CBP-015 - Automated Commercial System December 19, 2008 73 FR 77759
  • Final Rule for Privacy Act Exemptions August 31, 2009 74 FR 45077

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DHS/CBP/PIA-004(e) - Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) Procedures for Processing Travel Documents at the Border

DHS/CBP/PIA-004(e)  Procedures for Processing Travel Documents at the Border, July 2, 2008 (PDF, 27 pages - 284 KB). U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is publishing this Privacy Impact Assessment to give notice of its procedures for recording certain border crossing information and validating the travel documents provided by individuals at air, land, and sea ports of entry who are admitted or paroled into the United States. CBP maintains information regarding persons who are admitted or paroled into the United States, and where applicable exit the United States in accordance with the Privacy Act system of records notices (SORNs) for the Border Crossing Information (BCI) and for the Treasury Enforcement Communications System (TECS), which is being revised and will be republished in the future as TECS (no longer an acronym). As part of processing travelers at the border, CBP accepts different types of documents for purposes of establishing the identity, citizenship, and admissibility of travelers seeking to enter the United States. CBP populates BCI with certain information provided by or on behalf of persons who are admitted, paroled into, or depart the U.S. In addition the information maintained by BCI regarding such persons may be derived from different DHS systems of records, Department of State systems of records, and the systems of other governmental or tribal authorities (including foreign governments). CBP uses this information to validate the travel documentation provided by or on behalf of the individual, make determinations regarding an individual's admissibility, and ensure compliance with all other U.S. laws enforced by CBP at the border. This PIA explains the information technology and the information flow between BCI, TECS, and other Privacy Act system of records, including the Non-Federal Entity Data System (NEDS).

Associated SORN(s):

• DHS/CBP-002 - Global Enrollment System April 21, 2006, 71 FR 20708
• DHS/CBP-007 - Border Crossing Information (BCI) July 25, 2008, 73 FR 43457
  • Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for Privacy Act Exemptions June 25, 2008, 73 FR 43374
• DHS/CBP-008 - Non-Federal Entity Data Systems (NEDS) July 25, 2008, 73 FR 43462
• DHS/CBP-011 - U.S. Customs and Border Protection TECS December 19, 2008 73 FR 77778
  • Final Rule for Privacy Act Exemptions August 31, 2009 74 FR 45072
• DHS/CBP-016 - Nonimmigrant Information System December 19, 2008 73 FR 77739
  • Final Rule for Privacy Act Exemptions August 31, 209 74 FR 45077

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DHS/CBP/PIA-005 - Secure Border Initiative-net (SBInet)

DHS/CBP/PIA-005  Secure Border Initiative-net (SBInet), July 20, 2007, (PDF, 17 pages - 309 KB) The Secure Border Initiative-net (SBInet) is a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Customs and Border Protection (CBP) system designed to detect, identify, apprehend, and remove illegal entrants to the U.S. on and between the Ports of Entry (POE). This PIA addresses Project 28, which is a concept demonstration prototype for the SBInet program. Project 28 focuses on a 28 mile border segment surrounding the Sasabe, Arizona Port of Entry (POE). This privacy impact assessment (PIA) has been conducted because SBInet collects and processes personally identifiable information (PII).

Associated SORN(s):

• DHS/CBP-011 - U.S. Customs and Border Protection TECS December 19, 2008 73 FR 77778
  • Final Rule for Privacy Act Exemptions August 31, 2009 74 FR 45072

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DHS/CBP/PIA-006(a) - Automated Targeting System (ATS) Update

DHS/CBP/PIA-006(a)  Automated Targeting System (ATS) Update, December 2, 2008 (PDF, 7 pages - 220 KB) This is an update to the previous Automated Targeting System (ATS) privacy impact assessment, dated August 3, 2007, in order to expand the scope of the data accessed for screening and targeting purposes to include additional importer and carrier requirements. In conjunction with this update, CBP is publishing an Interim Final Rule that amends the CBP regulations contained in 19 CFR Parts 4, 12, 18, 101, 103, 113, 122, 123, 141, 143, 149, 178, and 192 addressing the advanced electronic submission of information by importers and vessel carriers.

Associated SORN(s):

• DHS/CBP-006 - Automated Targeting System August 6, 2007, 72 FR 43650
  • Final Rule for Privacy Act Exemptions February 3, 2010 75 FR 5487
•  Response to Public Comments (PDF, 23 pages - 590 KB)

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DHS/CBP/PIA-007(a) - Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) Fee and Information Sharing Update

DHS/CBP/PIA-007(a) Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) Fee and Information Sharing Update, July 18, 2011 (PDF, 9 pages - 198 KB). U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is publishing this update to the Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) Fee and Information Sharing Update dated June 3, 2008.  ESTA is a web-based application and screening system used to determine whether certain aliens are eligible to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). This update will evaluate the privacy impacts of updating the login procedures, collecting an application fee, and adding the Pay.gov tracking number and country of birth information to the ESTA System of Records. Additionally, this update is to provide further notice of the expansion of routine sharing of ESTA with the intelligence community in support of the Department’s mission to protect the United States from potential terrorist activities.

DHS/CBP/PIA-007  Electronic System for Travel Authorization, June 2, 2008 (PDF, 26 pages - 301 KB )

Associated SORN(s):

• System of Records Notice for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (PDF, 5 pages - 68 KB)
  • Final Rule for Privacy Act Exemptions August 31, 2009, 79 FR 45069
• Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) Program, Interim Final Rule

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DHS/CBP/PIA-008 – Border Searches of Electronic Devices

DHS/CBP/PIA-008  Border Searches of Electronic Devices August 25, 2009 (PDF, 51 pages - 6 MB) With changes in technology over the last several decades, the ability to easily and economically carry vast amounts of information in electronic form has risen dramatically. The advent of compact, large capacity, and inexpensive electronic devices, such as laptop computers, thumb drives, compact disks (CD), digital versatile disks (DVD), cell phones, subscriber identity module (SIM) cards, digital cameras, and other devices capable of storing electronic information (hereinafter "electronic devices") has enabled the transportation of large volumes of information, some of which is highly personal in nature. When these devices are carried by a traveler crossing the U.S. border, these and all other belongings are subject to search by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to ensure the enforcement at the border of immigration, customs, and other federal laws. In particular, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) may conduct border searches of such electronic devices as part of CBP's mission to interdict and ICE's mission to investigate violations of federal law at and related to the Nation's borders. CBP Officers and ICE Special Agents conduct border searches of electronic devices to determine whether a violation of U.S. law has occurred.

Associated SORN(s):

• DHS/CBP-005 - Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) November 18, 2008, 73 FR 68435
  • Final Rule for Privacy Act Exemptions November 18, 2008 73 FR 68291
• DHS/CBP-007 - Border Crossing Information (BCI) July 25, 2008, 73 FR 43457
  • Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for Privacy Act Exemptions June 25, 2008, 73 FR 43374
• DHS/CBP-011 - U.S. Customs and Border Protection TECS December 19, 2008 73 FR 77778
  • Final Rule for Privacy Act Exemptions August 31, 2009 74 FR 45072
• DHS/CBP-013 - Seized Assets and Case Tracking System December 19, 2008 73 FR 77764
  • Final Rule for Privacy Act Exemptions August 31, 2009 74 FR 45074

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DHS/CBP/PIA-009(a) – TECS System: CBP Primary and Secondary Processing (TECS) National SAR Initiative

DHS/CBP/PIA-009(a) TECS System: CBP Primary and Secondary Processing (TECS) National SAR Initiative, August 5, 2011, (PDF, 6 pages - 78 KB). U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is publishing this update to the Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) for DHS/CBP/PIA-009 the TECS System: Primary and Secondary Processing (TECS), dated December 22, 2010. TECS (not an acronym) is the updated and modified version of the former Treasury Enforcement Communications System. TECS is owned and managed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) component U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). TECS is the principal system used by officers at the border to assist with screening and determinations regarding admissibility of arriving persons. This update will evaluate the privacy impacts of identifying certain of the operational records maintained in TECS as Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) for inclusion in the National SAR Initiative (NSI), which is led by the Department of Justice on behalf of the entire federal government.

DHS/CBP/PIA-009 TECS System: CBP Primary and Secondary Processing December 22, 2010 (PDF, 28 pages – 330 KB) 

Associated SORN(s)

• DHS/CBP-011 - U.S. Customs and Border Protection TECS December 19, 2008 73 FR 77778
  • Final Rule for Privacy Act Exemptions August 31, 2009 74 FR 45072

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