CBP Deploys Multiple Facilitation Measures as Holy Week Traffic Reaches Peak at the Laredo Port of Entry
Written by Post Public Information Representative, Mar 16, 2018, Comments Off
Courtesy Richard Pauza,
LAREDO, Texas– – With the rapid approach of Holy Week, one of the busiest travel periods of the year, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Laredo Port of Entry have implemented a variety of effective measures to facilitate a smooth, orderly traffic flow, including a designated lane, electronic tourist permits, expanded processing hours and a satellite, off-site tourist permit processing booth.
“For CBP, Holy Week is a peak travel period and our deployment of multiple facilitation measures and travel tips continues to help tremendously to keep wait times down to manageable levels while retaining our ability to carry out our border security mission,” said Port Director Alberto Flores, Laredo Port of Entry. “Travelers are also encouraged to present WHTI- (Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative) compliant documents during inspection, and ensure they are not in possession of inadmissible or prohibited goods. These efforts, along with business transformational initiatives to expedite permit and commercial bus processing implemented by CBP have resulted in an overall wait time reduction of approximately one-third compared to previous Semana Santa travel seasons,” Flores said.
Port Director Flores continued, “CBP would like to thank the traveling public for their partnership and encourages continued use of trusted traveler and designated local traveler lanes and WHTI-compliant documents through the remainder of the Semana Santa travel season.” “Our management team at the Laredo Port of Entry continues to innovate and adapt, implementing measures and programs to manage peak travel periods while facilitating lawful trade and travel,” said Director, Field Operations David P. Higgerson, Laredo Field Office. “That coupled with a careful and constant analysis of traffic volumes and deploying organic resources to meet the workload has proven effective in managing these peak traffic flows while carrying out the CBP mission.”
The Laredo Port of Entry strongly encourages travelers to apply for their tourist permits online via http://i94.cbp.dhs.gov Travelers will now receive a provisional I-94 after submitting their application and payment online. To finalize the I-94 process, travelers must present themselves at a port of entry within seven days of their application to be interviewed by a CBP officer, submit biometric fingerscans and a photo is taken. Laredo Field Office ports of entry will extend front of the line privileges to travelers who submit their I-94 applications electronically and present their provisional I-94 permit receipt.
