DHS achieves trusted traveler program milestones

INDIANAPOLIS — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently achieved two major milestones for its trusted traveler programs. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Pre✓™ application program, which launched Dec. 4, 2013, at Indianapolis International Airport (IND), has now enrolled more than half a million travelers at more than 300 application sites nationwide. Additionally, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has enrolled more than three million users in their trusted traveler programs: Global Entry, NEXUS and SENTRI. Together, all of these DHS trusted traveler programs provide an improved passenger experience, while enhancing security and increasing system-wide efficiencies.

“These programs enable us to facilitate and expedite travel to, from, and within the United States, while maintaining the highest standards of security,” said Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas. “We will continue to work to improve the passenger experience for millions of travelers who go through our airports every day, in a manner that is efficient, effective and secure.”

TSA Pre✓™

TSA Pre✓™ allows low-risk travelers to experience faster, more efficient screening at 118 U.S. airports nationwide currently. TSA Pre✓™ is an expedited screening program that allows pre-approved airline travelers to leave on their shoes, light outerwear and belt, keep their laptop in its case and their 3-1-1 compliant liquids/gels bag in a carry-on in select screening lanes.

The TSA Pre✓™ application program allows U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to directly enroll in TSA Pre✓™. Once approved, travelers will receive a “Known Traveler Number” and will have the opportunity to utilize TSA Pre✓™ lanes at select security checkpoints when flying on a participating carrier: Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, United Airlines, US Airways and Virgin America.

TSA Pre✓™ at IND

The TSA Pre✓™ application program, which began at IND in December 2013, now has more than 300 application sites nationwide. This includes application centers at 26 airports and 303 off-airport locations. As of Aug. 26, the center at IND has enrolled more than 15,000 travelers, averaging 80 enrollments each day. In the Indianapolis-area, travelers can also apply at a secondary location: 881 South Girls School Road. Additional sites in the Indianapolis-area include: Lafayette, Richmond and Terre Haute. A full list of application centers are available at: universalenroll.dhs.gov.

CBP Trusted Traveler Programs

Upon arrival in the United States from abroad, Global Entry members are able to bypass the traditional CBP inspection lines and use an automated kiosk. With more than 70,000 new applicants each month, travelers enrolled in this program can scan their passport and fingerprints, answer the customs declaration questions using the kiosk’s touch screen and proceed with a receipt— the whole process only takes about one minute. Launched in 2008, as a pilot program, Global Entry is now a permanent program and has 51 locations in the United States and at CBP Preclearance stations in Canada. These locations serve 99 percent of incoming travelers to the United States.

The NEXUS program allows pre-screened travelers expedited processing by United States and Canadian officials at dedicated processing lanes at designated northern border ports of entry, at Canadian airports, and at marine reporting locations. NEXUS members are automatically eligible to use Global Entry kiosks when entering the U.S. The SENTRI program also provides expedited processing through CBP at Southwest border crossings.

Additionally, in partnership with TSA, many CBP Trusted Traveler program members are pre-eligible to participate in TSA Pre✓™. These participants do not need to apply separately for TSA Pre✓™, as they will receive their Known Traveler Number once successfully enrolled in a CBP trusted traveler program.

For more information regarding these trusted traveler programs, including a comparison chart, is available at www.dhs.gov/tt.