August 13, 09

NEWS / Secretary Napolitano Announces Global Entry Expansion to 13 Additional Airports

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today announced the expansion of the Global Entry initiative—a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) pilot program that streamlines the screening process at airports for trusted travelers through biometric identification—to 13 additional airports across the United States.

Global Entry expedites the customs and security process for trusted air travelers while helping DHS ensure the safety of all airline passengers," said Secretary Napolitano. "Expanding this vital program allows us to improve customer service at airports and concentrate our resources on higher-risk travelers."

Starting Aug. 24, new Global Entry enrollment centers and kiosks will open at 13 additional international U.S. airports in Boston, Dallas, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Honolulu, Las Vegas, Newark, N.J., Orlando, Fla., Sanford*, Fla., Philadelphia, San Juan, Puerto Rico, San Francisco and Seattle.

Global Entry allows pre-approved members an alternative to regular passport processing lines. At the kiosk, Global Entry members insert their passport or lawful permanent resident card into a document reader, provide digital fingerprints for comparison with fingerprints on file, answer customs declaration questions on the kiosk’s touch-screen, and then present a transaction receipt to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers before leaving the inspection area.

Global Entry applicants may complete their interview and biometric data collection at enrollment centers at any of the expansion sites, while approved members can use kiosks at any of the expansion sites to complete their CBP processing upon arrival from international travel.

To date, approximately 16,000 members have enrolled in Global Entry, which began on June 6, 2008. Global Entry kiosks have been used more than 51,000 times at the seven existing locations in Atlanta, Chicago (O’Hare), Houston (Intercontinental), Los Angeles, New York (JFK), Miami and Washington (Dulles).

Global Entry reduces average wait times by 70 percent, with more than 75 percent of travelers using Global Entry processed in under five minutes.

Global Entry is currently open to citizens and nationals of the United States and lawful permanent residents of the United States. Citizens of the Netherlands may also apply under a special reciprocal arrangement that links Global Entry with the Privium program in Amsterdam.

http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1250094008914.shtm

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