Expansion of Global Entry Pilot program to Mexican Citizens

Law Office of Leila Freijy, PLLC

Immigration & Compliance Law

U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) announted the expansion of eligibility in the Global Entry pilot to qualified nationals of Mexico as of December 29, 2010.

Applications are currently being accepted from U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, U.S. lawful permanent residents, and certain eligible citizens of the Netherlands and will be accepted for the duration of the pilot.

The Global Entry pilot allows for the expedited clearance of pre- approved, low-risk travelers into the United States. The Global Entry pilot allows pilot participants expedited entry into the United States at any of the designated airport locations by using automated kiosks located in the Federal Inspection Services (FIS) area of each airport.

The Global Entry pilot uses fingerprint biometrics technology to verify a participant's identity and confirm his or her status as a participant.

Global Entry pilot participants do not have to wait in the regular passport control primary inspection lines. After arriving at the FIS area, participants proceed directly to the Global Entry kiosk. A sticker affixed to the participant's passport at the time of acceptance in the Global Entry pilotprovides visual identification that the individual can be referred to the kiosk.

After arriving at the kiosk, participants activate the system by inserting either a machine-readable passport or a machine-readable U.S. permanent resident card (Form I-551) into the document reader. On- screen instructions guide participants to provide fingerprints electronically. These fingerprints are compared with the fingerprint biometrics on file to validate identity and confirm that the individual is a member of the program. Participants are also prompted to look at the camera for a digital photograph and to respond to several customs declaration questions by use of a touch-screen.

When the procedures at the kiosk have been successfully completed, participants are issued a transaction receipt. This receipt must be provided along with the passport or permanent resident card to the CBP Officer at the exit control area who will examine and inspect these documents. CBP officers stationed in booths next to the kiosk lanes also oversee activities at the kiosk.

Applications for the Global Entry pilot are available via the CBP Global Entry Web site, http://www.globalentry.gov. Applications must be completed and submitted electronically. There is a non-refundable processing fee of $100 per applicant.

Based on the Joint Declaration, Mexican nationals will be permitted to participate in the Global Entry pilot only upon successful completion of a thorough risk assessment by both CBP and the Mexican Government. As is the case with all Global Entry pilot applicants, an individual who is inadmissible to the United States under U.S. immigration law is ineligible to participate in the Global Entry pilot. Applications from such individuals will automatically be rejected.

Applications for the Global Entry pilot may also be rejected if the applicant has ever been convicted of a criminal offense, or if the individual has ever been found in violation of customs or immigration laws, or of any criminal law. Additionally, an applicant will not be accepted for participation in the Global Entry pilot if CBP determines that the applicant presents a potential risk of terrorism, or criminality (including smuggling), or if CBP cannot sufficiently determine that the applicant meets all the program eligibility criteria.

Additional information on eligibility will be announced at http://www.globalentry.gov.

Participating airports: