DHS' trusted-traveler program expands

About 1,100 people have enrolled in the Homeland Security Department’s Global Entry trusted-traveler program since it began at three airports in June, department officials have said.The program will expand to four more airports this fall, according to an Aug. 12 news release from Customs and Border Protection. Those airports are Los Angeles International, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International, Chicago O’Hare International, and Miami International.The pilot project was conducted at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York and Washington Dulles International Airport.Only U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible to participate in Global Entry. Applicants provide biographic and biometric information, undergo a background check, and complete an interview with a CBP officer. Once accepted, travelers may use a special kiosk at the airports when returning to the United States from abroad rather than waiting in line for customs processing.At the kiosks, participants must present their machine-readable passport or permanent residency cards to be read electronically, submit fingerprints for biometric verification, and make customs declarations. The travelers are photographed and given a transaction receipt that must be presented to a CBP officer. Travelers pay $100 to enroll in the program for five years.To date, about 370 participants have used the airport kiosks, CBP officials said.