see also: in April 2008:   U. S. Customs and Border Protection Seizes $1.3 Million Worth of Counterfeit Cigarettes   Border Patrol Launches Rhode Island Search   Border Patrol Agent Search Launches in Atlanta   Two Weeks = Two Tons of Marijuana Seized at Arizona Port of Entry   CBP Officers in Texas Find $3 Million Worth of Dope in 'Empty' Sea Container   New Jersey CBP Officers Make $4 Million Heroin Candy Bar Bust   Border Patrol Agents Locate More Than Half Ton of Marijuana ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers   Welcome: Portraits of America Photography   Welcome: Portraits of America Video

contacts for this news release

Washington – U.S. Customs and Border Protection today announced the selection of 18 additional airports that will be part of the Model Ports Initiative. This joint venture between federal agencies, the travel industry, airlines and airport authorities was designed to improve our processes for clearing and welcoming travelers into the United States.

“The Model Ports Initiative represents an important partnership between government and the travel industry. We will work together at each of these 20 gateway airports to strengthen the international passenger arrivals process and environment,” said Paul M. Morris, executive director of CBP admissibility and passenger programs.

The Model Ports Initiative is part of The Rice-Chertoff Initiative established in 2006 to enhance border security with the use of the best new technologies, while streamlining security processes and facilitating travel for legitimate visitors.

The keystone of these efforts is a new video, currently available in Spanish, French, German and English, that assists travelers through the customs and immigration process, a “Welcome to the U.S.” brochure and a variety of new bi-lingual directional signage. In the coming months, travelers arriving at these airports will see several improvements, including an increased number of video monitors, a welcome message and information on the entry process. In addition, working groups from the private and public sectors will be established in these cities to create a better overall passenger experience.

The 18 airports were selected based on the locations with the largest number of foreign visitors arriving annually. International airports in the following cities have been selected: New York (JFK), Miami, Los Angeles, Newark, Chicago (O’Hare), Honolulu, San Francisco, Atlanta, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Orlando, Detroit, Boston, Las Vegas, Sanford (Fla.), Seattle, Philadelphia, San Juan and Ft. Lauderdale.

The Model Ports Initiative has been operational since April 2007 with George Bush Intercontinental in Houston and Washington Dulles International airports serving as the first two sites.

On an average day, CBP welcomes 1.13 million travelers into the U.S., including more than 251,000 air passengers. CBP staffs 327 ports of entry nationwide, while enforcing over 400 U.S. laws.

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.