CBP Modernizing Land Ports of Entry

(CBP)

RFID technology to help speed, streamline border crossing

U.S. Customs and Border Protection [Monday] announced plans for construction work to improve 39 major entry points along the U.S borders with Canada and Mexico over the coming months.

The construction, which entails deployment of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to 354 vehicle lanes, will help speed travel and further enhance border security.
Use of RFID will enable swifter processing at border crossings for travelers using new state-of-the-art travel documents. These documents include the passport card – a wallet-sized, cost-effective alternative to the traditional passport specifically designed for cross-border land and sea travel – and enhanced driver’s licenses (EDLs) being produced by several states.

Washington State began producing an EDL in February and currently has issued over 17,000.

The State Department currently has received over 300,000 passport card applications and will be in full production in July. In addition, the State Department will be incorporating RFID technology into the next generation Border Crossing Cards. These new cards, which the State Department will begin issuing later this year, will further enhance and streamline border crossing for BCC-holders.

“We want to alert travelers to the potential of increased wait times at some high-volume border crossings this summer,” said CBP’s Executive Director for Admissibility and Passenger Programs Paul Morris. “Deploying RFID readers will be a tremendous step in helping reduce congestion and long lines in the future. We also want to thank travelers for their patience during this construction phase and to encourage them to obtain one of the new RFID-enabled documents.”

These documents are the result of a new requirement, the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), a Congressional mandate passed in 2004. The requirement went into effect for air travel in January 2007. Full implementation of WHTI for land and sea travel will go into effect June 1, 2009. To help mitigate impact, CBP is taking a phased approach with separate construction and installation phases, which will be complete prior to June 2009. Where possible, construction is taking place during non-peak hours.

CBP is conducting numerous press events and stakeholder briefings throughout the border communities to answer questions about the technology deployment and provide additional information about WHTI and the variety of document options available to travelers. As travelers gear up for the busy summer travel season, CBP also offers tips to help expedite processing at the port of entry by having their documents ready upon arrival at the primary inspection booth and to declare all purchases to the CBP officer, including fruits, vegetables and animal products. For questions regarding admissible or prohibited products, please see the “Know Before You Go” website.

The construction is occurring in Blaine, Wash. and Nogales, Ariz. in June, and in the following locations throughout summer and fall (listed in no particular order): Buffalo, Champlain, Massena and Alexandria Bay, N.Y.; Detroit, Port Huron and Sault St. Marie, Mich.; El Paso, Laredo, Brownsville, Hidalgo, Rio Grande City, Fabens, Progreso, Del Rio, Roma, Presidio and Eagle Pass, Texas; Derby Line, Highgate Springs and Alburg, Vt.; Sweetgrass, Mont.; Calais, Houlton and Madawaska, Maine; International Falls, Minn.; Sumas Point Roberts and Lynden, Wash.; Pembina, N.D.; San Ysidro, Andrade, Tecate, Otay Mesa and Calexico, Calif.; San Luis, Douglas and Lukeville, Ariz.; and Columbus, N.M.

A sustained, large-scale ad campaign will also be launched later this year to advise national audiences in the United States and Canada about the new document requirement.