Nogales, Ariz. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced today the opening of a Ready Lane at the Nogales Port of Entry for travelers with approved Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology-enabled travel documents. CBP also announced plans to implement Ready Lanes at the Lukeville, Douglas, and San Luis ports of entry over the next few months.
Starting Monday, April 11, the Ready Lane will be open to the traveling public from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. daily on lane 7 at the Dennis DeConcini crossing. The Ready Lane is a primary vehicle lane that only accepts RFID-enabled cards.
“RFID-enabled cards allow our officers to screen travelers quicker,” said Port Director Guadalupe Ramirez. “By having a lane designated just for travelers with these cards, we can reduce the time spent waiting to enter the country, which facilitates and encourages legitimate cross-border business and tourism.”
Since the implementation of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, June 1, 2009, U.S. and Canadian citizens entering the United States by land or sea from Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean, are required to present a valid, WHTI-compliant document. Using a WHTI-compliant document that is an RFID-enabled travel now shortens the time it takes to process travelers at the border.
In order to use this dedicated lane, all adult passengers, over the age of 16, must present an approved travel card. The U.S. Passport card, SENTRI card, the new Legal Permanent Resident “green card” and the new Border Crossing Card are all RFID-enabled WHTI-compliant documents.
Travelers using the Ready Lane should follow these three simple steps as they approach a U.S. land port of entry with their RFID-enabled travel card:
- Stop at the beginning of the lane and make sure each passenger has their card out
- When it is your turn, drive slowly through the lane and hold all cards up on the driver’s side of the vehicle
- Stop at the officer’s booth
CBP continues to strongly encourage travelers to obtain RFID-enabled card to expedite their entry and to help make the borders more efficient.
WHTI is the joint Department of State-Department of Homeland Security plan that implemented a key 9/11 Commission recommendation to establish document requirements for travelers entering the United States who were previously exempt, including citizens of the U.S., Canada and Bermuda.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.
