U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Global Entry program is a smashing success. I have been a member for a few years, and have personally experienced its principal benefit of rapidly and easily clearing Customs upon arrival in the United States.  Global Entry allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States.   Applicants must first pass a comprehensive background investigation  Not everyone gets accepted, however, and for those people who have applied and been denied, there is an appeal process.

To apply, simply answer some questions on-line at www.globalentry.gov, then schedule an appointment at one of the many CBP enrollment centers. Bring with you a few required documents such as a passport, answer a few simple questions about your international travels, and you will soon be notified of your acceptance or disapproval into Global Entry.

If disapproved, you will be notified electronically and the CBP disapproval letter will be from "Supervisor, Global Entry Enrollment Center, U.S. Customs and Border Protection," located in Williston, Vermont.  A typical disapproval letter will say.

We regret to inform you that your membership in Global Entry has been disapproved for the following reason(s):

You have been found to have violated CBP laws, regulations, or other related laws.

CBP has never set forth any specific guidelines for disapproving an applicant except "other circumstances that indicate to CBP that you have not qualified as ‘low risk’ – whatever that means.  

Fortunately, there is an administrative appeal process which the applicant should pursue.  There is no court, no judge, no meeting with CBP, and not even any conversation with CBP as part of the appeal; it is all done by paper to the Vermont address.  You get one chance to do it right, so make sure your appeal is comprehensive and persuasive.