Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) — often called Sea-Tac — is the largest airport in the Pacific Northwest and a major international gateway to and from Asia, Canada, and Europe. With more than 130,000 passengers per day, including thousands of international travelers, Sea-Tac plays a key role in immigration enforcement at the U.S. border.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) operates 24/7 at SEA, screening foreign nationals arriving on flights from countries including China, Japan, South Korea, India, Mexico, and the UK.

Whether you’re traveling on a visitor visa, student visa, work visa, or ESTA, entry is not guaranteed. A single interaction at the airport can result in deportation, visa cancellation, or even a multi-year bar from returning to the U.S.

Travelers may be pulled aside at SEA for many reasons. Some of the most common include:

• Secondary Inspection for additional questioning about purpose of travel, finances, prior visits, etc.

• Allegations of misrepresentation (traveling on a tourist visa while intending to work or stay permanently)

• CBP suspicion of unauthorized work or immigrant intent

• Prior immigration violations, such as overstays or visa misuse

• Cancelled or revoked visa due to changed circumstances

• Expedited removal under INA 235(b)(1)

• Inadmissibility under INA 212, including 212(a)(6)(C)(i) for fraud or misrepresentation

• Criminal records or prior deportations

With proper legal representation, travelers may be able to avoid being put on a plane and sent back.

We offer legal support before, during, and after airport encounters — for individuals, families, and employers concerned about what might happen or what already has.

A. Proactive Support – Before or During Arrival

We can help reduce the risk of detention or denial by:

• Advising on documents to carry

• Preparing you for likely questions and CBP scrutiny

• Being available by phone during your arrival at SEA

• In some cases, arranging legal presence at the airport through local counsel

Whether you’re worried about a past visa issue, a pending waiver, or a potential CBP flag, we can guide you before you land.

B. Post-Denial or Deportation Assistance

If you were already denied entry or removed from the U.S. at SEA, we can help with:

• Reviewing your CBP removal documents or refusal notice (I-867A, I-877, I-296, I-275, I-213, I-860, I-296)

• Filing a waiver of inadmissibility (I-192, I-601, or I-212)

• Preparing a new visa application with supporting legal arguments

• Helping you challenge wrongful findings of fraud

• Reuniting you with family in the U.S.