see also: in September 2007 News Releases:   CBP Seizes $2.5 Million Worth of Marijuana Inside Cargo Load at Texas Entry   U.S. Customs and Border Protection Achieves Container Security Initiative Milestone with 58 Operational Ports   CBP Agriculture Team Intercepts Narcotic Plant at Newark Airport   U.S. Customs and Border Protection Collects More Than $2.2 Million in Underpaid Antidumping Duty on Chinese Shrimp   Port of Alexandria, Egypt Participates in the CBP Container Security Initiative   Ports of Colon and Manzanillo, Panama Begin Container Security Initiative Operations ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers   Trusted Traveler Programs

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Edmonton, Alberta — Canada’s Minister of Public Safety, the Honourable Stockwell Day, joined by Tom Huffaker, U.S. Consul General for Calgary, and Doug Harmon, Port Director for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, today announced the opening of NEXUS kiosks at Edmonton International Airport.

The NEXUS program is designed to expedite the border clearance process for low-risk, approved travelers into Canada and the United States. There are currently more than 138,000 NEXUS members in the two countries.

"Canada’s New Government is proud to announce that Edmonton International Airport is now accepting NEXUS members,” said Minister Day. “This is another concrete action taken by our government to increase border security while maintaining the smooth flow of legitimate trade and travel to the United States."

"Without the cooperation and collaboration of our Canadian neighbors, the NEXUS program would not be possible," said Consul General Huffaker.

"With NEXUS, the traveler’s experience can be smooth and hassle free as we continue to secure our mutual borders."

"U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Canada Border Services Agency processed over 400,000 travelers at Edmonton pre-clearance last year, and we are pleased to be able to provide NEXUS benefits for these travelers," said CBP Port Director Doug Harmon.

NEXUS is available in the air, land and marine transportation environments. At airports, NEXUS uses non-invasive iris recognition technology to identify the traveler and verify his or her membership in the program. On the land border, NEXUS uses Radio Frequency Identification Devices to expedite traveler processing.

Membership in the NEXUS air mode also meets the requirements of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative air regulations that went into effect January 23. This secure identification initiative requires all travelers, including U.S. citizens and Canadians, to carry a valid passport or other approved document when traveling to, or through, the United States. NEXUS also is being proposed as an acceptable document for entering the U.S. at land and sea ports.

Currently, airports in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Halifax, Calgary and Winnipeg already offer NEXUS. Edmonton is the final Canadian airport scheduled to receive NEXUS kiosks. ( Trusted Traveler Programs )

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 the 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.