Mullin v. Al Otro Lado · ¶12

The first, 8 U. S. C. §1225(a), governs the inspection of aliens who seek admission to the United States. An alien who wishes to enter the United States lawfully must first be “admitted.” As used in the INA, “admission” is a term of art that means the “lawful entry of [an] alien into the United States after inspection and authorization by an immigration officer.” §1101(a)(13)(A). So an alien cannot lawfully enter this country without first being inspected by an immigration officer, and immigration officers must inspect all aliens “who are applicants for admission or [are] otherwise seeking admission” to the United States. §1225(a)(3). An alien is deemed an “applicant for admission” if he “arrives in the United States.” §1225(a)(1). The Government correspondingly must inspect an alien who “arrives in the United States”—say, at the San Ysidro, California, port of entry through which…

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