see also: in July 2008:   CBP Discovers 2.7 Tons of Marijuana on Cargo Box Truck   Holiday Travel Reminder for Northwest Border Crossers   Current, Former CBP Employees Assist in Arrest of Purse Snatchers   CBP Officers Arrest Man Wanted for Failure to Register as Sex Offender   California SENTRI Participant in Hot Water, CBP Finds Dope in Vehicle   CBP Officers Arrest Man Wanted for Aggravated Sexual Assault on Minor   CBP Revokes Trusted Traveler Privileges After Finding Prohibited Items During Inspection ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers   Trusted Traveler Programs   Know Before You Go on the web:   U.S. Department of State Travel

contacts for this news release

El Paso, Texas — U.S. Customs and Border Protection will begin deployment of Radio Frequency Identification technology to vehicle lanes at El Paso, Texas border crossings beginning the week of July 28. The RFID technology will speed up travel and further enhance our border security.

The project is expected to last approximately 2 - 3 weeks at each port, with Stanton and Bridge of the Americas slated for the end of July, and Paso del Norte and Ysleta scheduled for mid-August. The second phase of the project is scheduled to begin in early 2009.

“CBP wants to assure travelers that the construction will be performed during non-peak traffic periods to minimize impact on traffic wait times,” said William Molaski, acting El Paso port director. “RFID technology at our land crossings is a major stride to securing our nation and facilitating legitimate travel. We encourage all crossers to obtain one of the RFID-readable documents.”

Use of RFID will enable swifter processing at border crossings for travelers using new state-of-the-art travel documents. These documents include the passport card — a wallet-sized, cost-effective alternative to the traditional passport specifically designed for cross-border land and sea travel — and enhanced driver’s licenses being produced by several states. The state of Washington began producing an enhanced driver’s license in February and currently has issued more than 21,000.

In addition, the State Department will be incorporating RFID technology into next generation Border Crossing Cards. These new cards, which the State Department will begin issuing later this year, will further enhance and streamline border crossing for Border Crossing Card holders.

These documents are the result of a new requirement, the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, a Congressional mandate passed in 2004. The requirement went into effect for air travel in January 2007. Full implementation of WHTI for land and sea travel will go into effect June 1, 2009. To help mitigate impact, CBP is taking a phased approach with separate construction and installation phases, which will be complete prior to June 2009. Where possible, construction is taking place during non-peak hours.

The construction is occurring in Blaine, Wash. and Nogales, Ariz. in June, and in the following locations throughout summer and fall: Buffalo, Champlain, Massena and Alexandria Bay, N.Y.; Detroit, Port Huron and Sault St. Marie, Mich.; El Paso, Laredo, Brownsville, Hidalgo, Rio Grande City, Fabens, Progreso, Del Rio, Roma, Presidio and Eagle Pass, Texas; Derby Line, Highgate Springs and Alburg, Vt.; Sweetgrass, Mont.; Calais, Houlton and Madawaska, Maine; International Falls, Minn.; Sumas Point Roberts and Lynden, Wash.; Pembina, N. Dak.; San Ysidro, Andrade, Tecate, Otay Mesa and Calexico, Calif.; San Luis, Douglas and Lukeville, Ariz.; and Columbus, N.M.

For more information about obtaining a passport or passport card, please visit the State Department travel site. ( U.S. Department of State Travel ) For information on states issuing enhanced driver’s licenses, or when applying for any of CBP’s trusted traveler programs, which are also alternatives under the new requirements please visit the CBP.gov Web site. ( Trusted Traveler Programs )

As travelers gear up for the busy summer travel season, CBP also offers tips to help expedite processing at the port of entry by having their documents ready upon arrival at the primary inspection booth and to declare all purchases to the CBP officer, including fruits, vegetables and animal products. For questions regarding admissible or prohibited products, please visit “Know Before You Go” guide on CBP.gov. ( Know Before You Go )

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.