see also: in March 2008:   Summer Months an Added Challenge for Border Patrol   Los Meses de Verano, un Reto Para la Patrulla Fronteriza   Border Patrol Agents Rescue 38 Illegal Aliens from Smuggling Attempt   Laredo North Station Border Patrol Agents Arrest MS-13 Member   Laredo Sector Border Patrol Agents Arrest 18th Street Gang Member   El Paso CBP Officers View HDTV: Hidden Drugs in TV Set   El Paso Border Patrol Agents Arrest Criminals with Extensive Records ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers   SENTRI

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El Paso, Texas - U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the Port of El Paso will increase their level of service by adopting the expanded hours of service at the city’s two Secure Electronic Network for Traveler Rapid Inspection (SENTRI) locations. CBP will provide SENTRI/DCL service at the Stanton crossing from 6 a.m. to midnight Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to midnight Saturday and Sunday. The DCL at the Ysleta crossing will remain open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

El Paso CBP has offered SENTRI/DCL service to the El Paso/ Juarez communities for the past nine years. The Stanton DCL opened in September 1999 and the Ysleta DCL in December 2005.

"The extended level of service will make the DCL program even more attractive for ‘trusted travelers’ looking for an expedited entry" said Gene Garza, acting director of field operations, in El Paso. "SENTRI participants should not have to wait in line at the international ports of entry. At this time, the program is under utilized and CBP would like to see more people enrolled in the program."

Currently, the Port of El Paso has approximately 23,000 people enrolled in the SENTRI program. During fiscal year 2007, there were 1,163,733 vehicles that made entry at the Stanton DCL and 219, 435 at the Ysleta DCL.

The SENTRI program, commonly known as the Dedicated Commuter Lane or DCL provides an inspection alternative to participants who enroll in the “trusted traveler” program and successfully pass a background investigation.

SENTRI members are entitled to benefits such as dedicated primary lanes, expedited routine CBP questioning, and priority secondary processing. In addition, the SENTRI card is approved for travel in the land and sea environments under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.

SENTRI participants are considered low risk by CBP but in order to maintain the integrity of the program, DCL members are still subject to a full inspection upon entry.

The cost for enrollment in the program is $122.25 per person and is good for five years. Family units applying as a group can take advantage of the reduced rate structure. SENTRI members are required to pay additional toll fees in Mexico.

SENTRI applications can be submitted on-line using the Global Enrollment System (GOES). If approved, the turn-around time for the entire application process is approximately two weeks.

Further information on the SENTRI program can be found in the Customs and Border Protection website, including a link to the Global Online Enrollment Center. ( SENTRI )

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.