see also: in August 2004:   Stowaway Found in Crate Aboard Cargo Flight From Bahamas   DHS SEVIS Program Ramps Up For Fall Semester   U.S. Customs and Border Protection Vows a Total Commitment to Professionalism   U.S. Customs and Border Protection Achieves Container Security Initiative (CSI) Milestone Of 25 Operational Ports   CBP Border Patrol Interdicts Tractor-Trailer at County Checkpoint   U.S. Customs and Border Protection Announces New Border Patrol Academy   U.S. Customs and Border Protection announces that port of Tanjung Pelepas becomes 25th Container Security Initiative (CSI) port to go operational ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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SAN YSIDRO—U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials at the world’s busiest land border station plan this month to use high technology to launch a trial program to quickly process some of the 35,000 pedestrians who daily cross the border at San Ysidro, Calif.

Following on the success of the port’s vehicle SENTRI program, CBP officials hope to recruit up to 5,000 travelers who regularly enter the U.S. on foot to participate in a free 120-day test of a special processing line that makes use of biometric identification technology to allow expedited entry into the country.

Participants who pass a background check similar to that conducted on applicants to the 8-year-old SENTRI vehicle program will receive a fast-pass card that, beginning August 16, will open a special gate to the dedicated processing lane at the port. Cameras mounted over the lane will quickly compare images of the traveler’s face with photos retained in a database during the application process.

Because the travelers have been prescreened and approved to participate in the program, they are less likely to smuggle contraband, allowing CBP officers to concentrate on other potentially higher risk travelers, officials said.

The vehicle SENTRI program currently has over 56,000 participants with 700 new vehicles entering the program each month, said Port Director Oscar Preciado. A special transponder mounted on participating vehicles transmits necessary information to officers manning two dedicated lanes at the port. The success of the vehicle program will necessitate the addition of up to two more vehicle lanes later this year.

“SENTRI has allowed our CBP officers to focus on processing of higher risk vehicles and occupants,” Preciado said. “We plan to test a similar concept with the pedestrian project using a variety of facial recognition and biometric identifiers to more quickly process foot traffic through the port.”

The pedestrian SENTRI lane will operate Monday through Friday during peak crossing hours of 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Individuals interested in applying for the free test program may call (619) 690-7601, 690-7602, 690-7603 or 690-7604.

Applicants need to complete an application, provide proof of citizenship, other identification, residency and financial solvency. The special pedestrian SENTRI card can only be used at the San Ysidro border station and only for the pedestrian program. Vehicle SENTRI participants wishing to register for the pedestrian program will need to make separate application, officials said.

Preciado said test results will be forwarded in December to CBP headquarters in Washington D.C. for evaluation and any decisions about the future of the program.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the protection of the nation’s borders. CBP unified Customs, Immigration and Agricultural inspectors and the Border Patrol into one border agency for the United States.