CBP Global Entry Pilot Program
Posted Jun 20, 2008
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The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently published a news release, announcing the initiation of a pilot program to begin in June 2008. This program is intended to provide expedited processing for preregistered, low-risk air travelers to the United States. CBP published an April 11, 2008 notice in the Federal Register regarding the Global Entry program, previously named the International Registered Traveler (IRT) program. The Global Entry Pilot Program is available to U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents ("green card" holders) who pose a low risk for entry to the United States.
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Three Airports Initially Approved for GEP
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The notice issued by the CBP states that the Global Entry Program (GEP), will initially be operated at three airports: John F. Kennedy International Airport, Jamaica, NY; George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Houston, TX; and Washington Dulles International Airport, Sterling, VA. The start date was initially slated for June 10th, but was moved forward to June 6, 2008.
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Global Entry Program Kiosks for Self Processing
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When arriving at a participating airport, registered participants in the GEP may bypass the regular passport control line and self-process through a Global Entry kiosk. Travelers swipe their passports or permanent resident cards and provide electronic fingerprint scans. Digital photographs are taken and the travelers answer a series of CBP declarations on touch-screens. If successful, these travelers are issued transaction receipts that must be presented to CBP officers at the exits of the inspection areas.
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Eligibility for GEP
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The GEP is available to U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents who are frequent international travelers, have not been found guilty of any criminal offense, charged with any customs or immigration offense, or been declared inadmissible to the United States. Biometric fingerprinting will be used at participating airports to confirm identity and these individuals' status as participants in the GEP.
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GEP Enrollment Process and Interview
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The CBP began accepting applications for the GEP on May 12, 2008. Enrollment applications are available through the Global Online Enrollment System (GOES). Applicants must register online, complete the Global Entry application, and pay a nonrefundable fee of $100 through www.Pay.gov. CBP then will review each application and complete background investigations of each applicant. If all steps are completed successfully, an applicant will undergo a CBP interview at an enrollment center at one of the three participating airports. Contact information for the enrollment centers is available on the CBP WebSite. One need not live near a participating airport in order to apply. However, appearing at one of the airports for the interview is a requirement. The entry process at this stage is available only through the listed airports.
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Conclusion
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The GEP may help alleviate the stresses and strains that have accumulated for certain frequent international travelers in the past decade. The Murthy Law Firm applauds this effort on the part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the CBP to streamline the entry and screening process of low-risk travelers reentering the U.S. This should expedite processing for low-risk travelers and allow the CBP to focus its attention where it is needed more.