Would the USA deny access to an American citizen?

Question

If that person had a birth certificate, driver's license and was a native speaker of the language, but had an expired passport?

Would the border patrol reject the poor s*****k, or would they throw him in jail?

Can the USA keep out an American citizen with an expired passport?

Answer 1

well if they don't want to get deported they shouldn't let their passport expire.  if we were in a different country, they would do the same to us

Answer 2

No, they cannot deny entry to an American citizen.  They can "delay", but not "deny".

Answer 3

They would probably admit the person and fine them. The fines average $500

My how people like to thumb down the facts...tsk tsk

Quote right off the US Immigration website:

"Be sure that your passport is current and will not expire while you are out of the country. Returning to the U.S. with an expired passport may result in a fine"

Answer 4

Go down to the embassy and get your passport renewed.

Answer 5

No You might be delayed but eventually let in.

Answer 6

Note the below wording which states that you may be DELAYED in getting (back) across the (land) border... not prevented or denied. If you show an expired passport, the US border people should be able to put 2 + 2 together and figure out that you are a US citizen --albeit one without the preferred document (valid passport) but nonetheless one WITH an official backup document that shows that you have proven your citizenship in the past.

Regardless, you'll most likely have to pay a fine and also be detained - if you do not have the necessary documentation to prove your US citizenship.

"Effective January 31, 2008, U.S. and Canadian citizens ages 19 and older should no longer expect that they will be able to prove identity and citizenship by relying on an oral declaration alone. Instead, travelers will be asked to present documents from one of the options below when entering the United States at land or sea ports of entry.

Travelers who do not present one of the documents listed below may be delayed as U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers attempt to verify their identity and citizenship." ie passport, notarized birth certificate, driver license

Answer 7

The US will NEVER deny entry to a US citizen.  

This line was at the bottom of every page of our training materials for the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI).  That is the law that requires passports at the border.

It is incumbent on the person to prove their US Citizenship though, we actually don't take their word for it.  All of the documents you described would be more than enough proof.  It must also be noted that passports are not required at the land border for some time still.  Passports are only required at airports.  If this happened at an airport we would let the person in and most likely fine the airline for boarding someone without proper documents

Answer 8

If they were flying in, they'd have to have an American passport before travelling.  The US Embassy issues emergency passports.

If they were driving across a border, they'd most likely be questioned by immigrations officers and released into the US.

Answer 9

Yes, they would be denied entry.  You must have a passport to re-enter.  If you lose your passport, you must apply at the American embassy where you currently are and get an emergency copy issued.  You can not legally enter the US without a valid passport.