U.S. Customs and Border Protection

This section provides our readers with the latest news and information on the recent developments at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

The links below are in chronological order,latest at the top.

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Advance Copy of CBP Notice on Washington State’s Enhanced Driver’s License    
Posted April 03, 2008
An advance copy of a CBP notice announces that DHS Secretary Chertoff is designating enhanced drivers’ licenses (EDL) and identity documents issued by the State of Washington as acceptable documents to denote identity and citizenship under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI).

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Reminds Travelers Planning Spring Break 2008    
Posted March 12, 2008
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is reminding travelers planning spring break trips to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or the Caribbean to make sure they have the proper documents.

CBP Answers Question on Required POE Documents for Foreign Nationals    
Posted February 11, 2008
CBP answered to a question regarding the documents that foreign nationals must present at ports of entry.

CBP Publishes Revised Information Collection on Arrival and Departure Record(Forms I-94 and I-94W)    
Posted February 04, 2008
CBP published a revised information collection on the I-94 and I-94W. Comments are due on or before March 5, 2008.

CBP Electronic Version of Flyer on New Land and Sea Travel Document Procedures    
Posted January 30, 2008
CBP posted an electronic version of a flyer created to advise travelers of new land and sea port of entry travel document procedures.

CBP Guidance on Recording a Timely Departure    
Posted January 21, 2008
CBP provides guidance on recording a departure when an I-94 card was not collected upon exit.

CBP Issues APIS Documentary Requirements for Arrival and Departure    
Posted January 11, 2008
This CBP Chart Lists Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) documentary requirements for arrival to and departure from the U.S.

Border Wait Times    
Posted December 28, 2007
A CBP webpage that shows the estimated wait times for reaching the primary inspection booth, the first point of contact with CBP when crossing the Canada/U.S. and Mexico/U.S. land borders. Each border location updates its estimated wait times hourly.

Calexico Port of Entry to Process I-94 Permits for Mexican Holiday Travelers Immediately    
Posted December 15, 2007
CBP announced that Mexican border crossing cardholders can apply early for an I-94 card at the Calexico port of entry during the holiday season.

Bureau of Customs and Border Protection Announces Fingerprinting Fee Increase    
Posted November 25, 2007
This document announces that the fee collected by Customs and Border Protection regarding the submission of fingerprints for those applying for certain positions or requesting various identification cards which necessitate a fingerprint records check, will be raised to a total of $32.49 to offset the fee being charged Customs and Border Protection by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

GAO Testimony on CBP Inspections at Ports of Entry    
Posted November 15, 2007
The GAO testimony highlights weaknesses and strengths with the CBP port of entry inspections and recommends enhanced training to assist officers in apprehending inadmissible aliens and other violators.

CBP Issues Revised Information Collection on Arrival and Departure Record (Form I-94)    
Posted November 12, 2007
CBP published a revised information collection on Forms I-94 and I-94W. Written comments should be received on or before January 8, 2008.

GAO Issues Report on CBP Inspections at Ports of Entry    
Posted November 05, 2007
This GAO report on CBP admissibility inspections at ports of entry addresses improvements in inspection procedures, but weaknesses in its operations increase the potential that terrorists and inadmissible travelers could enter the country.

Cross-Border Travel Program Expands to Airports in Calgary and Winnipeg    
Posted August 27, 2007
U.S. and Canadian officials announced this week that Nexus automated self-serve kiosks and enrollment centers are now operational at Calgary and Winnipeg International Airports.

CBP Offers Online Fee Payment for Border-Crossing Program    
Posted August 23, 2007
U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced today that southern border crossers may now utilize a Web tool to apply for and administer their participation in CBP’s Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection (SENTRI) program.

U.S.-Canada Trusted Traveler Program Upgraded and Expanded    
Posted December 18, 2006
U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced today that NEXUS trusted traveler-crossing privileges have been expanded to all land, marine and air points of entry where NEXUS locations are currently in place.

CBP Announces FY06 Enforcement Actions at California’s Land Border    
Posted December 11, 2006
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers conducting security operations at California’s land border ports of entry performed over 83 million inspections of people, seized almost 213,000 pounds of illegal narcotics and apprehended over 67,500 immigration violators during federal fiscal year 2006, officials announced today.

Updates on the new Form I-192 from CBP Admissibility Review Office    
Posted November 30, 2006
The ARO pilot office which was in Minneapolis, Minnesota will not be accepting the new Form I-192 applications or consular recommendations. On the other hand form I-192 filings for waivers of admissibility for Canadians will continue to be submitted at the port of entry where the applicant will first enter or where the applicant will enter the most.

CBP Deferred Inspection Sites    
Posted October 06, 2006
An updated list of CBP Deferred Inspection locations and hours of operation.

Updated List of the POE Designated for Departure of Nonimmigrant Aliens Who Are Subject to Special Registration    
Posted August 09, 2006
The Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a notice listing all of the Ports of Entry that special registrants may use for departure.

U.S./Canada Trusted Traveler Highway Program Fully Integrated    
Posted June 28, 2006
CBP announced that NEXUS Highway applicants can now apply at any of six joint NEXUS enrollment centers and use their NEXUS cards at any of eleven highway locations on the northern border.

CBP to Change Procedure for Bicyclists Entering the Port of Calexico POE    
Posted June 28, 2006
Effective June 25, 2006, CBP changed procedures for bicyclists entering the port of Calexico.

CBP Dedicates New Port Of Entry at Tri Cities, Tennessee/Virginia    
Posted June 19, 2006
CBP established its newest port of entry on June 15, 2006. Tri-Cities Regional User-Fee Airport will now be known as Port of Tri-Cities, TN\VA.

CBP Fact Sheet on Operation Jump Start    
Posted June 06, 2006
CBP issued a fact sheet on Operation Jump Start. Following President Bush’s call for 6,000 National Guard members to assist with border security efforts, CBP has launched its interagency Operation Jump Start Task Force to deploy up to 6,000 National Guard personnel to the southwest border by August 1, 2006.

CBP Memo Regarding New Nonimmigrant E-3 Visa Classification    
Posted May 10, 2006
The purpose of this Memo is to advise U.S. Customs and Border Protection oficers about new E-3 nonimmigrant classification created for Australian nationals in specialty occupations and their spouses and children pursuant to the Australian Free Trade Agreement.

CBP will Initiate Program to Facilitate Processing of Visitors Local Traffic During Holy Week    
Posted May 10, 2006
CBP at the Laredo Port of Entry announced plans today to facilitate the processing of passenger vehicle traffic during Holy Week, when Laredo experiences a significant northbound surge in Mexican nationals visiting family in the U.S.

CBP Reminder About APIS(Advance Passenger Information System) Requirement    
Posted Oct 02, 2005
CBP reminds that the new requirement to include additional passenger manifest data through the Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) goes into effect on October 4, 2005.

CBP To Conduct Pilot Program For NAFTA (TN) Visa Applicants at Toronto's International Airport    

CBP will implement a pre-qualification pilot program from April 27 to July 26, 2005 for submitting NAFTA application in advance at Toronto Pearson International Airport.

CBP Final Rule Requires Electronic Submission of Commercial Vessel & Aircraft Manifests Prior to US Arrival or Departure    

CBP final rule requires electronic submission of manifest information for passengers and crew members onboard commercial vessels and aircraft, before arrival in or departure from the US. Submission prior to departure also required for those onboard foreign commercial air carriers that continue within and fly over the US.

CBP Issues Notice for Privacy Impact Assessment & Privacy Policy on the Advanced Passenger Information System    

CBP publishes a privacy impact assessment and privacy policy concerning the Advanced Passenger Information System. Written comments due by 5/9/05.

CBP Advises Field on B-1 in Lieu of J-1 Visa for Government Funded Travel
A CBP memo advises the field of the use of B-1 in lieu of J-1 for U.S. Government funded travel. The purpose of this memo is to share the DOS clarification and request that the same criteria be applied at the ports-of-entry.

CBP Guidance on Period of Admission for Religious Workers   

A CBP guidance issued in october 2004 advises the field of the proper period of time for which a holder of an R-1 visa should be admitted..

CBP Instructs Field on Handling of Expired Green Cards Presented at POE    

Memo from CBP explains how inspectors should handle arriving permanent residents whose I-551 permanent resident cards have expired. .

CBP Addresses Chile/Singapore Free Trade Agreements      

This CBP Memo advises the field about the implementation of the immigration sections of the Chile and Singapore Free Trade Agreements. Under the immigration provisions of the Acts a new H-1B1 nonimmigrant category was created that provides 1,400 visas annually for Chileans and 5,400 annually for Singaporeans.

CBP Interim Guidance to Field on 212(d)(3) Waivers of Inadmissibility    

Memo from CBP regarding jurisdiction over, and process for, section 212(d)(3) waivers of Inadmissibility .

CBP Instructions on Health Care Worker Visa Screen Requirements

This CBP Memo gives instructions regarding health care worker certification.

CBP Instructions on Biometric Fees for I-192 Applicants    

CBP Issues Memo which clarifies which fees are to be submitted with Form I-192, Application for Advance Permission to Enter as Nonimmigrant.

CBP Instructs Field on Safe Third Country Agreeement
   
CBP issues Memo regarding implementation of the Safe Third Country Agreement. This agreement is effective from December 29, 2004. The agreement designates both US and Canada as safe third countries that comply with the Refugee convention and the convention against torture, and requires that asylum applicants must claim protection in the first safe country in which they arrive either Canada or the U.S.

CBP Field Instructions on International Students with SEVIS Errors     
CBP issues Memo regarding handling of returning students from winter break 2005 with errors in SEVIS.

CBP Guidance on the Use of Interpreters and Interpreter Services     
CBP guidelines regarding use of interpreters and interpreter services for the inspections process.

CBP Memo on Admission Procedures for LPR(Lawful permanent Children) Children    

This CBP Memo is outlining the process for admitting children as Lawful permanent Children

CBP Issues Instructions for Processing J-2 Admissions    

Memo from CBP is outlining the process for admitting J-2 nonimmigrants.

CBP Issues Procedures for Admitting HIV Positive Individuals to Attend Internatioanl Conference on HIV/AIDS    

This CBP Memo authorizes special blanket waiver procedures for the admission of HIV-infected persons to attend an international conference on HIV/AIDS.

CBP Restates Policy on Correction of Documentation Issued in Error at Port-of-Entry(I-94)    

CBP Memo restating and reiterating the policy for correcting I-94 cards issued at the Port-of-Entry

CBP Issues Procedures for Processing Advance    

This CBP issued the guidance for the inspectors regarding handling of advance paroles.

CBP (Customs and Border Protection) Updates – 12/15/04

U.S. Customs and Border Protection FY 2006    

The CBP press release announces that President Bush’s FY06 budget for the agency is $6.7 billion --nearly a 4.8% increase. The FY 2006 budget for CBP totals $6.7 billion, including $5.6 billion in appropriated resources and $1.1 billion in funding derived from user fees.

CBP and Mexican Officials Announces Opening of Remodeled Tecate Port Of Entry    

The CBP press release announces the opening of the Tecate port of entry in eastern San Diego County.

CBP Announces New Admission Stamp Design for U.S. Visitors 

The CBP today announced that beginning March 1, 2005, travelers to the United States will receive a newly designed admission stamp in their passport. The new stamp was designed with special security features that make it harder for counterfeiters to alter travel documents.