see also: in December 2008:   CBP Lists Top 10 Enforcement Events of 2008   CBP Seizes $200K in Undeclared Currency; Arrest 1 at Texas Port   Marfa Sector Agents Apprehend Murder Suspect   San Ysidro Port Modernization Deployment Temporarily Reduces Lanes   Border Patrol Agents Assist in Locating Distressed Individual   CBP Officers Stop Man at Michigan Border Crossing Wanted for Aggravated Sexual Assault   Holiday Surprise; CBP Unwraps 312 Pounds of Khat in December ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers   Travel

contacts for this news release

Washington - U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced today that NEXUS and SENTRI members may now use Global Entry kiosks.

Current NEXUS and SENTRI members, who are U.S. citizens or U.S. lawful permanent residents may enroll in the Global Entry pilot by logging onto or creating an account in the Global Online Enrollment System. The member must submit a Global Entry application form, which will be pre-filled based upon his/her existing GOES record from the NEXUS or SENTRI program. Once approved, members may be asked to schedule an appointment to have their fingerprints and photo taken if not previously submitted.

Applicants may utilize the Global Entry kiosk for the duration of their NEXUS or SENTRI membership. Their ability to use the Global Entry kiosk will expire on the same date as their NEXUS or SENTRI expiration date.

Trusted traveler programs provide expedited CBP processing for pre-approved, low-risk travelers.

Travelers interested in Global Entry can apply by submitting their application online using the GOES system found on the Travel portion of the Travel page. ( Travel ) Applicants must voluntarily undergo a biographical background check against criminal, law enforcement, customs, immigration and terrorist indices; a 10-fingerprint law enforcement check; and a personal interview with a CBP officer at a program enrollment center. Program fees apply and must be paid at the time of application. There is no fee for existing NEXUS or SENTRI members.

CBP also announced that more than a half million travelers have registered in the agency’s trusted traveler programs. Currently there are 545,000 trusted traveler members in NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST and the recently launched Global Entry Program.

“We continue to see approximately 800 new applications per day,” said John Wagner, CBP’s director of trusted traveler programs. “We encourage frequent travelers to apply to the program that best suits their travel activities as it will facilitate and expedite their entry process upon return home from their international trips.”

CBP also announced that NEXUS program has surpassed 250,000 members.

“Reaching the milestone of a quarter of a million members demonstrates that NEXUS is an efficient and popular way for frequent, low-risk passengers to travel between the U.S. and Canada,” said Wagner.

NEXUS is a joint CBP-Canada Border Services Agency program that both the American and Canadian governments implemented to enhance border security while simplifying the entry process for pre-approved, low-risk travelers. It was established in 2002 and more than 265,000 members participate in the program.

The SENTRI program was first implemented at Otay Mesa, Calif., in 1995, and has grown to include 16 lanes at the nine largest ports of entry along the U.S. - Mexico border including San Ysidro, Calif., Calexico, Calif., Nogales, Ariz., two crossings in El Paso, Texas, and the Texas ports of Laredo, Hidalgo and Brownsville. More than 183,000 travelers from both sides of the border are currently registered in the SENTRI program.

The Free and Secure Trade program is available to drivers crossing the southern border between the U.S. and Mexico. Currently, the program has more than 92,000 members.

Global Entry is available for U.S. citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents who are frequent international travelers. Biometric fingerprint technology is used to verify the passenger’s identity and confirm his or her status as a Global Entry participant. CBP launched Global Entry in June and has more than 4,400 members.

WHTI, the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative is the joint Department of State and Department of Homeland Security plan that implements a 9/11 Commission recommendation to establish document requirements for travelers entering the United States who were previously exempt, including citizens of the U.S., Canada and Bermuda. FAST, SENTRI and NEXUS are WHTI compliant documents. On June 1, 2009, travelers will need to present a valid, acceptable document that denotes both identity and citizenship when entering the U.S. by land or sea. Most travelers will be able to select from one of six different documentation options, based upon their individual travel activities. Many U.S. and Canadian travelers already have a passport or another WHTI-compliant document. WHTI was implemented for air travelers in January 2007.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.