Newsletter April 2011 – Global Entry: Making It Easier for U.S. Citizens and U.S. Permanent Residents to Travel

IN THIS ISSUE
The View From Down There: Immigration Reform at the Federal Level
Georgia On My Mind
The USCIS No Longer the INS
The Faces of US Immigrants: Vladimir Nabokov
Recipes from the Melting Pot: Flan with a South American Twist

Global Entry: Making It Easier for U.S. Citizens and U.S. Permanent Residents to Travel

Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. This program is meant for frequent international travelers and there is no minimum number of trips necessary to qualify for the program. Participants may enter the United States by using automated kiosks located at select airports. Global Entry is open to U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents. Applicants under the age of 18 must have the consent of a parent or legal guardian to participate in the program . All applicants undergo a rigorous background check and interview before enrollment. If any of the terms of the program are violated, this would result in the revocation of the traveler’s membership privileges.

How does the global entry pass work? At airports, people possessing this pass would go to Global Entry kiosks, present their machine-readable U.S. passport or permanent resident card, place their fingertips on the scanner for fingerprint verification, and make a customs declaration. The kiosk issues the traveler a transaction receipt and directs the traveler to baggage claim and the exit.

To apply for such a pass, visit globalentry.gov and get started in easing your international travels.