see also: in May 2007 News Releases:   Agriculture Inspection, User Fee Requirements Begin June 1 for Commercial Trucks, Railroad Cars Entering U.S. From Canada   Customs and Border Protection starts 2007 Continued Dumping and Subsidy Offset Act Cycle   New Mexico Border Patrol Seizes Nearly $1.5 Million in Marijuana   Suspected Child Molester, FBI Top 10 Fugitive Turned Over to Buffalo Customs and Border Protection   Jayson P. Ahern Announced as Next CBP Deputy Commissioner   CBP Border Patrol Continues Recruiting With Help of Car #28   Electronic Manifest Filing Now Mandatory in Michigan and New York ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers   Know Before You Go on the web:   State Department Web Site

contacts for this news release

Los Angeles —U.S. Customs and Border Protection joined the Los Angeles International Airport yesterday in launching a traveler awareness campaign to kickoff the busy summer travel season.

The CBP campaign is designed to facilitate travel to the United States for the 86 million travelers who visit or return from abroad each year via international airports throughout the nation. LAX welcomed over 8 million international arrivals last year alone – second only to New York’s John F. Kennedy International, which tops 10 million.

"The United States is a welcoming nation," said Kevin McAleenan, CBP’s port director at LAX. “While Customs and Border Protection’s primary mission is to prevent terrorists and their weapons from entering the United States, it is important that travelers recognize our role in facilitating legitimate travel for all purposes — business, pleasure and study. Our motto is ‘Know before you go,’ for citizens and residents, and ‘Know Before You Visit’ for international visitors, because a well-informed traveler has a safer, more enjoyable and more relaxing trip.”

As the busy summer travel season gets underway, McAleenan reminded U.S. citizens that a passport is now required when flying internationally, including to Canada and Mexico, and that the requirement will go into effect as early as January 2008 for land and sea travel.

In the past year, CBP has implemented several processes designed to help make the international arrivals process more efficient and understandable. This includes a new “Welcome to the United States” instructional video that was launched as part of the pilot “Model Ports” project at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston in April, and which will soon be expanded to Dulles International as well as additional airports throughout 2007 and 2008.

In addition, a computer upgrade helps eliminate unnecessary screening, and ongoing cooperation with air carriers enables CBP to identify potential high-risk travelers before they arrive, a critical step in securing our borders. CBP is also working closely with air carriers and the airport authorities to help ensure appropriate planning and adequate resources in anticipation of a busy summer season.

Here are a few travel tips offered by Customs and Border Protection for your visit or return to the United States:

• Make sure that you have the proper travel documents, both for the country you are visiting, as well as for your return to the United States.
• If you are headed overseas, learn about the country or countries you are visiting and any local conditions that might affect your trip by consulting the State Department Web site. ( State Department Web Site ) You can also use the site to register your trip and have travel information sent right to your email.
• Make sure you find out the rules and regulations concerning food and agricultural items before you travel, as some are prohibited or must meet certain requirements, such as a license or permit.
• When you arrive at a port of entry in the United States you will be inspected by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer. Be prepared to tell the officer the purpose of your trip and those items that you purchased or obtained abroad.
• See our “Top 10 Travel Tips,” as well as a wealth of Frequently Asked Questions for customs and immigration questions at CBP's Web site. ( Know Before You Go )
• If you are a visitor to the United States, the officer may required you to provide your biometrics – digital finger scans and photograph – to verify your identity against your travel documents. This simple and fast collection of biometrics is the same as you experienced if you had to get a visa for your trip to the U.S.
• As a visitor to the U.S., when you depart, make sure that the airline ticket agent collects your I-94 form.
• Visit CBP’s Web site at cbp.gov to view recent wait times at the airport you will be returning to. This will help you gauge how long your clearance process will take.

For more information on the latest travel tips and regulations, please visit CBP’s web site. ( Know Before You Go ) and the State Department’s Web site. ( State Department Web Site )

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.