US Customs & Border Protection Bureau to Launch Air Traveler Program June 10. U.S. Customs and Border Protection sources have confirmed that CBP will be launching June 10 a new pilot program to allow for the expedited clearance of pre-approved low-risk air travelers into the U.S. The Office of the Federal Register had indicated that the CBP notice announcing the program, which was originally called International Registered Traveler but is now referred to as Global Entry, had been withdrawn, but it was in fact published in the April 11 issue. The Global Entry program will begin at John F. Kennedy International Airport in Jamaica, N.Y., George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas, and Washington Dulles International Airport in Sterling, Va., and may be expanded to other locations at future dates. CBP will begin processing applications to participate on May 12 and the program will run for at least six months.

Participation in the pilot program is voluntary and only U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals and U.S. lawful permanent residents will initially be eligible. Participants will be able to use automated kiosks where biometric technology will verify their identity and they will be able to respond to customs declaration questions electronically.

CBP notes that it is working with several countries on bilateral agreements that would allow their respective citizens and lawful permanent residents to join Global Entry and allow Americans to join their equivalent programs. CBP is also exploring ways to integrate members of its NEXUS and SENTRI programs and to coordinate with the Transportation Security Administration regarding its Registered Traveler program.