Douglas’ International Port Authority held a stakeholders meeting on March 12 at the Douglas visitors center.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection representatives James Tong, Will Brook, Mike Humphries and Elias Villarreal attend the March 12 Stakeholders meeting regarding the SENTRI lane. Trisha Maldonado/Douglas Dispatch

The main topic of the meeting was the implementation of the SENTRI Lane, Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection.

SENTRI provides expedited CBP processing for pre-approved, low-risk travelers.

On January 30 the technical working group approved the SENTRI lane designation and traffic proposal.

At the Douglas Port of Entry SENTRI passengers will access lane six; ready lane passengers will access lane five; lanes one through four will be used by general travelers.

Emergency medical response and vehicle returns by Mexican Aduanas will access lane seven.

A tentative date has been set for June 1 for SENTRI deployment. Customs and Border Protection officials will confirm SENTRI lane hours before then.

The City of Douglas and CBP will be holding a SENTRI outreach on Thursday at the Douglas Visitors Center starting at 10 a.m.

The Douglas Library has been designated as an enrollment center for those needing assistance. The interview location has not been established.

Applicants 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.

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.

Once an applicant is approved applicants are issued a Radio Frequency Identification Document (RFID) that will identify their record and status in the CBP database upon arrival at the U.S. port of entry.

The fees for the SENTRI lane are as follows:

· Application Fee: $25 per person (or a maximum of $50 total for husband, wife and minor children).

· Fingerprint Fee: $14.50 (applicants 14 years and older).

· System Costs Fee: $80 per person (or a maximum of $160 total for a husband, wife and minor children).

· Total Fee: $122.25 per person.

The website to apply is www.goes-app.cbp.dhs.gov/main/goes for additional information visit www.cbp.gov or attend the outreach event on Thursday at the Visitors Center.

The next stakeholders meeting will be on April 11 from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. at the Visitors Center, those wishing to attend must RSVP with Victor Gonzalez at vglobaladvisors@gmail.com.