What is defined as a formal questioning process used to assess an alien's legal status?

Inspection is defined as a formal questioning process used to assess an alien's legal status. This process is typically conducted by immigration officials at points of entry or within the country to determine an individual's eligibility for admission or status under immigration laws. During an inspection, officers evaluate documentation, ask questions regarding the person's background, purpose of travel, and ensure compliance with legal requirements.

In immigration contexts, inspections are crucial because they help maintain national security and ensure that individuals seeking entry into a country meet the established legal criteria. The questioning can lead to various outcomes, including the granting of admission, further review, or even denial based on the findings during the inspection process.

In contrast, the other terms like oath, examination, and subpoena do not specifically pertain to the formal process of assessing an alien's legal status in the context of immigration. An oath is a solemn promise regarding one's truthfulness, examination can refer to various types of assessments but lacks the specific immigration context, and a subpoena is a legal document ordering someone to attend a court proceeding or produce evidence, which is unrelated to the direct assessment of legal status for an alien.