Global Entry Enrollment Center — Local services in New York

The whole process for Global entry at the Bowling Green location was pretty quick, so that's good. Now why the three stars? Well, the security who escorted us to the 4th floor, walking ahead of all of us to lead us to the way started giving us instructions while he was walking, oblivious to the fact that the people were walking behind him, at least the ones who were behind the 8-9 people may not hear properly anything that's being said. So as is the case, I had no idea what he said.

Next, at the interview, I sat on a chair in front of a glass screen for my finger print and photo. The officer was nice in his demeanor. After verifying my my personal info (address, email, etc.) he went on to ask me if I was arrested. I said "yes," and stated that the charge was dismissed. (I stated this in the application and also brought the piece of paper that reflected the dismissed charge). Around the same time, another global entry candidate was called on the window next to mine and she was asked the same question by the other officer: Have you been arrested?

Not one officer who did the interview was mindful to our privacy. So what happened to our sense of privacy and dignity? You would expect them to have common sense as well as training on interview skills, which adheres to fundamental human rights to privacy, dignity, and respect about our personal info. And that's not just about whether a person had been arrested but the entire compass of personal info: address, birth date, email and so on. And it becomes even more important for a Bangladeshi woman, a woman of color, like me due to the endless sorts of intersecting issues that tries to nullify our sense of dignity.

Under no circumstances should these fundamental rights to privacy be violated for anyone of any race, color, ethnicity, ability or disability. Rights to privacy is an unequivocal right.

I was told that I would receive the card in about two weeks. I asked if I may go now. He said that I would need to go back to that waiting room. Not sure why. I suspect that's what the security was telling us---something to do with waiting in this room. I started wondering if I would be called back for something or if the process is finished. This specific confusion could have been avoided by a security who was aware of the fact that his instructions are coming off muffled to the people who are walking behind him. I still have no idea whether whatever instruction he gave us has any connection to the whole process or not.

But the three stars is for the ill-regard of basic human dignity which was not given to me. I'll not recommend this place for that reason. I had posted this review in...

I was very grateful to see accessible Global Entry appointments being offered in the city to avoid going to the airport for an appointment. You are essentially approved on the day of your Global Entry interview and can use your assigned number right away.

The process of making an appointment online was easy through your portal, but it can be essentially up to a month long wait for availability. I only needed my passport for the appointment, but in the appointment confirmation they ask you to bring additional ID, your conditional acceptance letter, and proof of residency.

On the appointment day, look for the Bankruptcy Dept entrance and make a right turn, there will be another entrance around the corner with security inspection. The entrance was hard to find because there is scaffolding all around the building and no clear signage. There was one sign that said to enter through the museum entrance, which was closed at 8am. There were armed NYPD officers with automatic weapons standing in front of the building, which really set the tone for the experience, though they didn’t know anything about Global Entry appointments when I asked them where the right entrance was.

Upon entering, the security was incredibly rude for no reason. I greeted the security officer and he pointed to the open bins, then spoke to me in a demeaning way when I put my items into the bin because he wanted me to wait for him to tell me when to put my items in despite there being no one in front or behind me. He made me take my things out and berated me, and then had me put my things back into the same bin a moment later. I was really shocked by how rude the interaction was.

After security, you wait in a seating area and an agent comes down with a clipboard asking for people with appointment slots. You go up with people to the fourth floor into another small, crowded waiting room until your name is called by a person behind a counter. They take the no cellphone, tablet, or headphone policy very seriously, so be sure to put things away before going upstairs.

Once you’re called, they take a quick photo of you and I was told that I’d receive my Global Entry card within 2-3 weeks, but received it in the mail in about 8 days.

Overall, everything took about 10 mins in and out, but just know you will probably face some sort of aggressive behavior at some point, so wait to be instructed for everything. The whole experience felt so tense and hostile despite being...

Minus one star for lack of directions

Finding the application center wasn’t super straightforward, but once I got in the staff were super friendly and helpful. The process takes less than 10 minutes.

 A lot of people seem confused by the application process at this particular location, so I’ll spell out what you need to know to make it a seamless experience:

1. This location is by appointment only. Walk-in’s will be turned away, so don’t try. Go to JFK instead.
2. Bring your passport and proof of address (drivers license is fine), your application number is optional, they didn’t ask me for it.
3. Head to the US Customs house in Bowling Green. It’s a big beaux-arts building with statues around the entrance, you can’t miss it.
4. The application center is inside the Museum of the American Indian (free admission btw). Enter on the lower level to the right of the big stairs where it says “Group Entrance” (not up the stairs).
5. You will need to pass through a security check, no pocket knives or food/beverages.
6. Go up the elevators directly in front of you and head to the 3rd floor
7. When you exit the elevator you will see a small sign and a waiting area. Have a seat and wait, a CBP officer will come get you.
8. Don’t panic if your appointment time passes and no one shows up, when I went there was a group of 5 people waiting, they took us all as a group even though we had different appointment times.
9. An officer will escort you upstairs to the application center, where you watch a short video, they take your picture and your fingerprints, and you’re done!

Not a lot to ask for 5 years of (almost)...