CBP Global Entry Program Arrives at Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport
Reprinted from US Dept. of Homeland Security website (03/06/2012)
On a typical chilly Minnesota morning, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently launched the Global Entry program at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, interactive Global Entry kiosk demonstrations and tours of the new MSP Airport Global Entry enrollment center for invited guests and news media. Joining CBP leadership at this event, were many partners and stakeholders from local, state, and federal, congressional, transportation and travel communities who were excited to see this convenient and secure trusted traveler initiative expand to the Twin Cities area.
David Murphy, Chicago CBP Director of Field Operations, gives remarks at official Global Entry program launch at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. International passengers arriving at MSP Airport have already started to get out of line and use the fast, easy and secure Global Entry kiosk for CBP processing.
Global Entry is a voluntary expedited clearance initiative for pre-approved low risk international travelers, who are processed by biometric identification using a designated kiosk, rather than waiting in line for entry processing by a CBP officer. It is the quick and easy express pass through the U.S. international air arrivals area and reduces average waits times by more than 70 percent. Having the Global Entry program at MSP Airport will now allow CBP officers the opportunity to focus on high risk international travelers that need additional attention.
“Arriving passengers here at MSP Airport have already started to get out of line and use the fast, easy and secure Global Entry kiosk for CBP processing. So far in the very short time Global Entry has been operational here, we’ve had over 100 admissions. The expansion of Global Entry is a popular benefit for all international travelers,” said David Murphy, Chicago CBP Director of Field Operations. “Having Global Entry enrollment here in the Twin Cities, really means an added convenience for those applicants who are in Minnesota, Northern Wisconsin, North Dakota or South Dakota who before, had to travel all the way to Chicago’s O’Hare Airport for membership interviews.”
Within 24-hours of going online, the first week of MSP Airport Global Entry enrollment center appointments were reserved by applicants indicating a warm welcome from the land of 10,000 lakes. CBP has a total of six Global Entry kiosks, conveniently located at the Humphrey and Lindbergh Terminals and within the Global Entry enrollment center which will open on March 27 for applicant interviews.
Announced as a pilot program in 2008, Global Entry was established as a permanent voluntary program this year. It now operates at 24 U.S. airports including the recent added airports in Minneapolis, Charlotte, Denver and Phoenix. This expansion will make expedited clearance through the Global Entry program available at airports serving 97 percent of international travelers arriving in the United States. More than 270,000 members have enrolled in Global Entry thus far and have used the designated kiosks for more than 1.9 millions admissions. And as an added advantage, Global Entry members are eligible to participate in other programs such as the Transportation Security Administration Pre Check passenger expedited screening program and the Fast Low Risk Universal Crossing program, available in Amsterdam.
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