Feds to test international registered traveler program
Travel Weekly, 4/14/2008
U.S. Customs and Border Protection on June 10 will launch the Global Entry program, designed to expedite the screening and processing of low-risk, frequent, international travelers entering the U.S.
Global Entry will be available for U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents who are frequent international travelers, provided they have not been found guilty of a criminal offense, charged with a customs or immigration offense or declared inadmissible to the U.S. under immigration legislation. Biometric fingerprint technology will be used to verify the passenger's identity and confirm his or her status as a Global Entry participant.
A pilot will be initially conducted at New York Kennedy, Houston Bush Intercontinental and Washington Dulles. The program will begin processing applications from the public starting May 12.
Upon returning from international travel, Global Entry-enrolled travelers may bypass the regular passport control line and proceed directly to the Global Entry kiosk. At the kiosk, the traveler will activate the system by inserting his or her passport or U.S. permanent-resident card into the document reader. The kiosk will direct the traveler to electronically provide his or her fingerprints and will compare that biometric data with the fingerprint biometrics on file. A digital photograph will also be taken of the traveler as part of the transaction record.
Finally, the traveler will be prompted to answer several declaration questions posted on the kiosk's touch-screen. Once the process is successfully completed, the traveler will be issued a transaction receipt that must be presented to a CBP officer as the traveler leaves the CBP inspection area.
Applications for enrollment in the Global Entry program will be available through the Global On-Line Enrollment System (GOES). First, an applicant must complete and submit an online application through GOES and pay a $100 fee through www.pay.gov. CBP officers will review the applicant's information and a background investigation will be conducted. Finally, the applicant will undergo an interview with CBP officers at an enrollment center at Kennedy, Houston Bush or Dulles.
The Department of Homeland Security envisions the development of reciprocal Global Entry programs with other countries.