The NEXUS program is designed to simplify border crossings for pre-approved, low-risk travelers. In British Columbia, NEXUS highway is already in use at the Pacific Highway/Blaine; Douglas/Peace Arch and Boundary Bay/Point Roberts land border crossings.

NEXUS Air, announced recently at a meeting in Ottawa with Department of Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge and Canadian Deputy Prime Minister Anne McClellan, is a new pilot project for clearing the border at airports for pre-approved, low-risk, frequent air travelers. This new and innovative program is the first of its kind in North America and was launched in Vancouver, BC on November 30, 2004.

Secretary Ridge said the United States wanted to ensure that "passengers who travel frequently between the United States and Canada—for work or pleasure—will have a quicker and more secure trip through our airports."

NEXUS Air may simplify border crossings for frequent travelers, but for CBP and CBSA officers the NEXUS Air program also provides an advantage. "It takes low-risk, pre-approved travelers out of the traveler stream and allows us to focus on high-risk travelers," said Faith St. John, a spokeswoman for the CBSA. “The NEXUS Air program will never replace customs or immigration officers. Instead, the NEXUS Air program will facilitate the processing of ever-increasing numbers of air travelers crossing our border,” she added.

The program is open to citizens of Canada or the United States, resident aliens of the United States, or permanent residents of Canada who have continuously resided in either Canada and/or the United States for the last three years. Travelers who wish to join NEXUS Air must be pre-approved before they can participate in the pilot project. All applicants undergo a rigorous background check and must be interviewed by a customs or immigration officer before they are enrolled in the NEXUS Air pilot project, which is available at Vancouver International Airport until April 30, 2006. Members will be charged a fee of $50 U.S. ($80 Canadian) to join.

To expedite the clearance process, NEXUS Air members will use automated kiosks with touch screens to answer questions similar to those an inspection officer would ask. A camera on the kiosk takes a snapshot of the member’s iris to verify identity. This iris recognition process ensures that only pre-approved, low-risk travellers receive expedited border processing.

Iris recognition
The iris is made up of ridges, furrows, colors, fibers, and freckles that make each iris as individual to a single person as a fingerprint. Because the iris is an internal organ, and human nature being what it is—one of the most protected, it remains stable from about one year of age to death. Iris recognition systems use 260 “degrees of freedom” or points of reference to identify a particular iris. By comparison, fingerprinting only uses 60 to 70 degrees of freedom. It only takes two to three seconds to match an iris with a record, even in a large database containing thousands of records. The probability of two irises producing exactly the same code is 1 in 10 to the 78th power.

How to apply
The first step to apply for the program is to complete an application. The application can be downloaded by going to www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel/nexus/air/menu-e.html, clicking on the application form button, and following the directions for submitting it.

After the application has been reviewed and all interviews completed, a digital photo of your face will be taken in addition to an iris scan and a print of your two index fingers. A photo identification card will be issued along with instructions on how to use the NEXUS Air kiosk.

Being a NEXUS Air participant does not mean the end of all inspections. Members will be subject to random inspections to ensure the integrity and security of the program. Any violation of customs or immigration rules immediately cancels NEXUS Air membership

Training
An interactive CD-ROM has been developed that will walk CBP officers step-by-step through the enrollment process for the program. Upon completion of training, all officers will be supplied with an interactive CD-ROM, a reference manual, and a learner’s guide. A facilitator’s guide will be provided for train the trainer purposes.

For additional information or answers to questions, CBP officers should go to their supervisors first. If the questions cannot be answered by the supervisor, there is a Help Desk who’s primary objective is to ensure that the users obtain timely, correct, and consistent support. There are three ways for officers to contact the Help Desk: by email at TPDD.HELPDESK@ccra-adrc.gc.ca, by fax at 613.954.7558, or by telephone at 613.948.8617.

For more information on the NEXUS programs, visit the Web site www.nexus.gc.ca EC