see also: in June 2008:   CBP in New Orleans Offers Tips for International Air Travelers for Summer Season   CBP Offers Tips for International Air Travelers in Memphis for Summer Season   U.S. Customs and Border Protection to Host San Diego Hiring Event   Baltimore CBP Recovers Stolen Vehicle Being Shipped Overseas   Border Patrol Agents Seize Cocaine, Methamphetamines and Marijuana   Canada, U.S. Sign Arrangement to Align Security Standards for Cross-Border Business   CBP, Texas Strengthen Partnership to Ensure Border Security ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers   Trusted Traveler Programs on the web:   U.S. Department of State Travel

contacts for this news release

San Ysidro, Calif. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection today announced plans for installation this summer of Radio Frequency Identification technology which will help speed travel and further enhance border security at San Diego area ports of entry.

The land border ports in San Diego and Imperial counties are among the nation’s 39 busiest entry points along the U.S. borders with Mexico and Canada to receive the new technology upgrade over the next several months.

“We want to reassure travelers that the brief construction period at the San Diego area ports of entry later this year will be accomplished either after the facility has closed or during non-peak processing hours to minimize any impact on traffic wait times,” said Gurdit Dhillon, CBP director of field operations in San Diego. “We believe deploying RFID readers at our passenger vehicle crossings will be a significant step in helping to reduce congestion and long lines. We also want to thank travelers for their patience during this construction phase and to encourage them to obtain one of the new RFID-enabled 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.

Washington State began producing an EDL in February and currently has issued over 17,000. The State Department currently has over 300,000 passport card applications and will be in full production next month.

In addition, the State Department will incorporate RFID technology into new Border Crossing Cards for Mexican citizens. The new cards, which the State Department will begin issuing later this year, will further enhance and streamline border crossing for BCC-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.

Construction is slated to occur at the following locations in San Diego County this summer and fall:

• San Ysidro Port of Entry: August 4 - 8, 2008
• Tecate Port of Entry: August 25 - 29, 2008
• Otay Mesa Port of Entry: September 2 - 6, 2008

Construction involves the burying of wiring and associated electronics, among other changes.

The installation of additional RFID components to complete the system will take place at the ports late this year or early next year. The phased approach is designed to mitigate impact on port operations.

The construction is occurring in Blaine, Wash. and Nogales, Ariz. in June, and in the following locations throughout summer and fall (listed in no particular order): 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.D.; San Ysidro, Andrade, Tecate, Otay Mesa and Calexico, Calif.; San Luis, Douglas and Lukeville, Ariz.; and Columbus, N.M.

CBP is conducting numerous public events and stakeholder briefings throughout border communities nationwide this summer to answer questions about the technology deployment and provide additional information about WHTI and the variety of document options available to travelers.

A sustained, large-scale advertising campaign will be launched later this year to advise national audiences in the United States and Canada about the WHTI requirement.

For more information about obtaining a passport or passport card, please visit the travel state.gov website. ( 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 website. ( 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 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.