Global Entry passes 650K enrolled
23 September, 2009
category: Biometrics, Government
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Global Entry Trusted Traveler Program has enrolled 650,000 individuals and is planning on expanding to enable foreign traveler to take advantage of the program, said Daniel Piscopo, assistant division director for the program at the Biometric Consortium Conference.
Global Entry enabled international traveler t process through U.S. border checkpoints quickly. Traveler pay $100, undergo a background check and submit their fingerprints and are then able to use a kiosk when passing through U.S. customs.
When entering the U.S. the traveler swipes their passport, submits two fingerprint and fills out the declaration. A receipt is printed out after all the information is processed and the individual can grab luggage.
The U.S. and Dutch have entered into a agreement where members of their respective trusted traveler programs can apply to the other programs, Piscopo says. The U.S. is also working on similar agreements with the UK and Germany.
Since the program started in April 2008, 60,000 travelers have been processed through the kiosks, Piscopo says. The program is also receiving between 600 and 800 applications a week.