Texas Border Business
Program Helps Travelers Avoid Wait Time Crossing International Bridges
By Roberto Hugo Gonzalez
Rigoberto “Rigo” Villarreal, Superintendent of International Bridges advices that the Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection better known as SENTRI provides expedited U. S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) processing, at the U.S./Mexico border. He said that pre-approved travelers are considered low-risk and they cross the bridge faster almost at any time.
“We are partnering with Customs and Border Protection to market this SENTRI program and to make sure that as many people apply as possible,” Rigo said. He oversees the Anzalduas and Hidalgo International Bridges. He also pointed out that sometimes the wait could be two, three or four hours during holidays. This can be avoided by joining the SENTRI PROGRAM which is very easy to do.
Applicants must voluntarily undergo a thorough biographical background check against criminal, law enforcement, customs, immigration, and terrorist indices; a 10-fingerprint law enforcement check; and a personal interview with a CBP Officer.
Rigo was clear to say that even though is a simple process, applicants may not qualify for participation in the SENTRI program if they:
Provide false or incomplete information on the application;
Have been convicted of any criminal offense or have pending criminal charges to include outstanding warrants;
Have been found in violation of any customs, immigration, or agriculture regulations or laws in any country;
Are subjects of an ongoing investigation by any federal, state, or local law enforcement agency;
Are inadmissible to the United States under immigration regulation, including applicants with approved waivers of inadmissibility or parole documentation;
Cannot satisfy CBP of their low risk status or meet other program requirements.
Other than that, he says, this is the way to go.
For those that are interested, the fee is $25.00 per person (or a maximum of $50.00 total for husband, wife and minor children). Fingerprint Fee is $14.50 (applicants 14 years and older) and the System Costs Fee is $80.00 per person (or a maximum of $160.00 total for a husband, wife and minor children).
“The total fee is only $122.25 per person. Furthermore, if an approved participant wishes to register more than one vehicle for use in the SENTRI DCL lane (maximum of 4 vehicles), or an approved participant wishes to be registered in more than one vehicle (maximum of 8 persons per vehicle), an additional fee of $42.00 per vehicle will be assessed.”
According to the U. S. Customs and Border Protection website, enrollees will be charged a $25.00 replacement fee for a lost, stolen, or destroyed card and a $42.00 replacement fee for a lost, stolen or destroyed vehicle ID tag.
Rigo also stated that applicants to the SENTRI Program may submit their application online using the Global Online Enrollment System (GOES). Once the application is certified as true and complete, it will be submitted to CBP for processing. Applicants can monitor the status of their application by logging back into GOES, and will be advised of “Conditional Approval”, or “Denial” through the GOES account posting. A $25 application fee will be charged at the time of application submission.
Payment of fees may be made online, or by cash, check, money order, Master Card, VISA and American Express at the Local Enrollment Center. A $30.00 charge is imposed if a check is not honored by the bank on which it was drawn. All fees are non-refundable. For more information please visit CBP website: https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/sentri/sentri-overview. TBB
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