Compared to September 2000, total inspections of citizens and aliens for entry to the United States decreased 25 percent. Air admissions decreased 29 percent and land admissions decreased 25 percent compared to the previous September. Sea admissions decreased 2 percent and inadmissibles decreased 6 percent compared to September 2000. Total inspections for fiscal year 2001 decreased 4 percent compared to fiscal year 2000.

Data Source: PAS G-22.1

• Each September the INS experiences a seasonal decline in total inspections, when compared to the peak months of July and August. In fiscal year 2000, the September decline when compared to August was about 10 percent. However, the September decline in FY 2001 was 14 million or about 30 percent. Most of this decline is due to the drop in traffic at INS ports of entry following the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, which included the suspension of all air traffic to and from the United States.

• About 12 million U.S. citizens were admitted at INS ports of entry during September 2001, compared to approximately 21 million aliens admitted during the same month. The above categories of admission include individuals who make multiple entries, for example, citizens who leave and reenter the United States multiple times, permanent residents who make multiple entries, or aliens who hold non-immigrant visas or border crossing cards and commute back and forth each week from Canada or Mexico.

• The total inadmissible count for September 2001 was 60,250, a 6 percent decrease compared to September 2000. Inadmissible persons include aliens referred to secondary inspection who withdraw, are refused entry, are paroled in, or are referred to an Immigration Judge for a removal hearing. Also included are expedited cases where an alien can withdraw, or receives an expedited removal order, or is referred for a credible fear interview.