EL PASO: U.S. Customs and Border Protection El Paso Office of Field Operations will host three trusted traveler enrollment events in the days ahead. The events are scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 11 at the Paso Del Norte crossing, Friday, Jan. 13 at the Ysleta crossing, and Tuesday, Jan. 17 at the Bridge of the Americas. Each event will run from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Experienced CBP officers equipped with dedicated computers will be available to help those interested in enrolling in trusted traveler programs initiate the process. They will help people set up their online user profiles and answer questions about the overall process and procedures.
The primary goal is to enroll frequent border crossers in the Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection program. SENTRI is a CBP program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. Participants may enter the United States by using dedicated primary lanes into the United States at southern land border ports. “The U.S. SENTRI enrollment fee is $122.25 for five years,” said CBP El Paso Director of Field Operations Hector Mancha. “The price averages out to fifty cents per week which is a small price to pay for the many benefits associated with SENTRI membership.”
Travelers must be pre-approved for the SENTRI program. All applicants undergo a rigorous background check and in-person interview before enrollment. People attending the trusted traveler enrollment events will also have the opportunity to enroll in other trusted traveler programs like Global Entry or FAST. There are about 48,000 people enrolled in the SENTRI program in El Paso. Approximately 100,600 vehicles enter the U.S. at the Stanton SENTRI lanes and 91,000 at the Ysleta SENTRI lanes monthly. Approximately 8,300 locally approved Global Entry members. Global Entry card holders can also use the SENTRI lanes.
