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Your Rights with CBP

The policy of Concord Coach Lines is that no Concord Coach employee may provide consent for a Border Patrol Agent to board a bus and conduct warrantless immigration checks.


Immigration Procedures that Affect Our Passengers

Because of Concord Coach Lines’ proximity to international borders, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents may occasionally visit our locations to conduct their business.

We understand you may not be familiar with their procedures. Please use this page as a resource for you to educate yourself and know your rights. Below you will find information on U.S. Customs and Border Protection checks as well as links to additional resources and assistance.

Concord Coach Lines is an intercity bus operator and is providing this resource for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice.  You should contact your own attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or situation. Links to additional information and resources can be found below.


Know your rights – Customs and Border Protection

Be advised that under federal law, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) may stop and board an intercity bus within 100 miles of any U.S./International border, which includes our entire East and West coastlines as well as our borders with Canada and Mexico.  You may be asked questions and/or for documentation.

The policy of Concord Coach Lines is that no Concord Coach employee may provide consent for a Border Patrol Agent to board a bus and conduct warrantless immigration checks.

Passengers should be aware that CBP and other law enforcement agencies may in certain circumstances have the authority to board and search our buses and passengers without a warrant or our consent.  Concord Coach employees will not physically resist or otherwise prevent CBP from boarding our buses should they do so without our consent.  This policy is for the safety of both our employees and our passengers.  Notwithstanding this policy, CBP may still come to our facilities and question individuals in public areas.  Neither our consent nor a warrant is required for them to do so.

If Border Patrol Agents board the bus or question you in a public area of our facilities, you have the following rights, according to the ACLU:

  • You have the right to remain silent.
  • When in doubt, do not answer questions about your citizenship or immigration status or sign any paperwork without the advice of a lawyer.
  • If you have valid immigration documents, provide them. Never provide false documents.
  • You have the right to ask agents if you are being detained and why.
  • You can refuse a search of your belongings and your person by saying “I do not consent to a search.”
  • You have the right to record video of immigration agents as long as you do not interfere with their activities.

– American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) | 212-549-2500

* The law is 8 USC § 1357(a)(3). You may contact your members of Congress to voice your opinion on this law: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative


No discrimination

The use of race or ethnicity as a factor in conducting stops, searches, inspections, and other law enforcement activities based on the erroneous assumption that a person of one race or ethnicity is more likely to commit a crime than a person of another race or ethnicity is illegal.

The Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL) reviews and investigates civil rights and civil liberties complaints filed by the public regarding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) policies and activities, which includes CBP.  Persons who wish to file a civil rights or civil liberties complaint with CBP may do so by:

  • Submitting a Civil Rights Complaint
  • Sending an email message to [email protected]
  • Faxing to (202) 401-4708
  • Writing to U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, Compliance Branch, 245 Murray Lane, SW, Building 410, Mail Stop #0190, Washington, DC 20528.

Additional help and resources

If you need legal assistance, you may contact the following agencies for help: