19 U.S.C. § 4432 — Establishment of preclearance operations

Pursuant to section 1629 of this title and section 1103(a)(7) of title 8 , and provided that an aviation security preclearance agreement (as defined in section 44901(d)(4)(B) 1 of title 49) is in effect, the Secretary^* may establish and maintain U.S. Customs and Border Protection preclearance operations in a foreign country— (1) to prevent terrorists, instruments of terrorism, and other security threats from entering the United States; (2) to prevent inadmissible persons from entering the United States; (3) to ensure that merchandise destined for the United States complies with applicable laws; (4) to ensure the prompt processing of persons eligible to travel to the United States; and (5) to accomplish such other objectives as the Secretary determines are necessary to protect the United States.