see also: in April 2006 News Releases:   CBP Officers Seize Thousands of Dollars from Sentri Participant   CBP Nabs Murder Suspects at Two Different Port of Entries   Border Patrol’s BORSTAR Team Saving Lives   CBP Officers Seize Over Three Tons of Marijuana at Calexico Ports   CBP Border Patrol Agents Apprehend Wanted Fugitive Featured on America’s Most Wanted   Homeland Security Officials Unveil Latest Radiation Technology to Secure our Nation's Seaports   Rising Temperatures in South Texas Prompt Rescue Efforts ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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San Diego, Calif. –The upcoming Easter/Holy Week season is historically one of the busiest travel periods at southwest border crossings. Applications by Mexican travelers for I-94 travel documents typically double or even triple at the San Ysidro and Otay Mesa ports of entry during the week before Easter.

As a result, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials want to remind the traveling public that there are a number of steps cross-border travelers can employ to make entry into the U.S. as quick and safe as possible. The tips are designed to ease the crossing process as CBP officers maintain their principal anti-terror mission.

“This is a very busy time of year for CBP and the ports of entry so we are working with the travel community to help ensure border crossers reach their destinations in a timely manner ,” said Adele Fasano, director of field operations for CBP in San Diego. “If travelers will follow some simple tips, we believe we will be able to keep holiday related traffic moving as expeditiously as possible while insuring that all our enforcement concerns are properly addressed.”

Tip #1 – Mexican travelers should visit border ports now to obtain I-94 travel documents ($6 each) in advance of the Easter/Holy Week rush. This will allow travelers who require I-94 documents (those planning to travel beyond the border zone or stay in the U.S. for more than 30 days) to bypass I-94 issuing lines when they formally enter the U.S. They will still be subject to the inspection process.

Tip #2 – Travelers should look to alternative entry routes. Border crossers may consider using the nearby and less utilized Otay Mesa or Tecate ports of entry instead of the busy San Ysidro border station.

Tip #3 – Travelers should plan to build extra time into their trips in the event they cross during periods of exceptionally heavy traffic. This includes SENTRI fast-pass users.

Tip #4 – Unless absolutely necessary, border crossers may wish to avoid crossing the border during traditionally heaviest periods of traffic including morning/evening rush hour periods and weekends.

Tip #5 – Travelers should familiarize themselves with the “Know Before You Go” section of the CBP website to avoid fines and penalties associated with the importation of prohibited items. For example, any cooked or uncooked pork products such as chorizo, carnitas, salchichas or pork lard, are prohibited from entry because of possible disease. Uncooked poultry or wild fowl items such as eggs or chicken parts are not allowed into the U.S. Fruits such as guavas, mangoes, avocados, apples, pears, plums, peaches and apricots also may not be brought into the U.S. No fireworks are allowed into California from Mexico and prescriptions obtained in Mexico should have supporting documentation from the traveler’s health care professional.

Tip #6 – Members of the traveling public should consult the CBP website site at www.cbp.gov to monitor border wait times. Or, they can obtain the information, in English and Spanish by calling 619-690-8999 for San Ysidro, or 619-671-8999 for Otay Mesa. The information is updated regularly and is useful in planning trips.

Tip #7 – Travelers should prepare for the inspection process before arriving at the inspection booth. Individuals should have their crossing documents available for inspection and they should be prepared to declare all items acquired outside the U.S. In addition, individuals should not engage in cellular phone conversations before arriving at the inspection booth. U.S. citizens currently are not required to have entry documents when returning to California through land border ports of entry. However, officials recommend that U.S. citizens carry a passport or government-issued photo identification such as a drivers license and a county or state-issued birth record to facilitate the entry process.

Tip #8 – Drivers should insure that the vehicles they use to cross the border have sufficient fuel, are properly maintained and mechanically sound. Vehicles stalled by lack of gas or coolant can cause traffic processing delays.

CBP officials will closely monitor traffic and border crossing times during the upcoming holiday period. They plan to fully staff all inspection lanes during peak periods and to implement various traffic management operations to maintain the flow of traffic during periods of exceptionally heavy usage.

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.