What authorization does INA 235 A3 grant to immigration officers?

The provision in INA 235(a)(3) provides immigration officers with the authority to inspect all aliens at points of entry. This is crucial for border enforcement as it enables officers to determine the admissibility of individuals seeking entry into the United States. The primary purpose of this inspection is to enforce immigration laws, ensuring that individuals meet legal requirements for entry and assessing any risks they might pose. This authority is foundational to the responsibilities of immigration officers at ports of entry, where they are tasked with upholding national security and immigration regulations.

The other options involve activities that are either outside the scope of the authority granted by INA 235(a)(3) or pertain to different legal provisions that do not directly relate to inspection at points of entry. For instance, detaining U.S. citizens would typically require different legal authority and powers, as would conducting interviews with visa applicants or searching residences, which are governed by other laws and procedures regarding privacy and search warrants.