Is flagpoling bad for future US travel?

[opotato]

Hi guys,

I was wondering if flagpoling was bad for future US travel. Is it considered by the US as a rejection of entry? Is it something that they will have in their database for ever and that I will have to declare every time I enter the US?

Thanks

 

[ContactFront]

No

 

[skape7]

Hi guys,

I was wondering if flagpoling was bad for future US travel. Is it considered by the US as a rejection of entry? Is it something that they will have in their database for ever and that I will have to declare every time I enter the US?

Thanks

If your question is whether you shall need to declare if you 'withdrew' your application for entry into the US to any USCBP officers or on future visa applications? Then yes, you shall need to. But will it negatively impact your application? No, it will not.

The thing is when the USCBP stamp your passport with the 'Application Withdrawn' stamp, it specifically mentions the word 'Flagpole'.
So, to anybody reviewing your application, it will be clear that your application was not withdrawn because you were inadmissible and voluntarily chose to withdraw your application (which in some cases is considered negative) but because you didn't choose to enter the US in the first place!

After flagpoling, my I-94 record online does show only an 'Exit' from the US without any corresponding 'Entry' date. So the USCBP will immediately notice it every time you enter the US. Having said that, I have entered the US on a Non-Immigrant visa twice and have never been questioned about it.

 

[opotato]

Thanks for your answer!
This is super helpful. I might be paranoid but I will not flagpole then. I do not want to take the risk of doing anything like that which will stick to me for the rest of my life.
I’ll take this a an opportunity to plan a weekend trip to Seattle