SENTRI, the Border "Fast Pass"
Because we shop, travel and access health care in Mexico, we chose to apply for a Secure Electronic Network for Travelers' Rapid Inspection (SENTRI) pass.
Two Pedestrian SENTRI Lanes Open in Nogales
News in Nogales, Arizona, U.S. and Nogales, Sonora, Mexico is the opening in late 2011 of express lanes for use by the more than 18,500 Secure Electronic Network for Travelers’ Rapid Inspection (SENTRI) card holders who utilize the border crossing. Until U.S. Customs and Border Protection opened two new lanes for use by travelers entering the U.S. from Mexico on foot, the only opportunity for expedited SENTRI crossing was a single vehicle lane at the DeConcini port of entry. One of the two expedited pedestrian lanes is at the DeConcini Port of Entry. The other is at the nearby pedestrian-only Morley Avenue crossing.
Resource: Arizona Daily Star: Easier pedestrian crossing for some at Nogales: Posted: Monday, October 24, 2011 9:02 am
SENTRI, Our Fast Easy Re-entry into the US from Mexico
The main advantage is a dedicated fast lane for return to the U.S. from Mexico. The privilege can apply to the people in the vehicle who hold their own SENTRI pass, and for the vehicle in which they travel. The vehicle’s pass, in our case a Dodge 3500 diesel truck, is linked to one of the SENTRI pass holders.
Incidentally, travel trailers and fifth wheel trailers cannot utilize the SENTRI lane, and as far as we know, neither can motorhomes or other RVs larger than an ordinary-size vehicle.
The SENTRI card also fulfills the travel document requirements of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). When we cross the international border in our truck or on foot, the card is the only documentation or proof of United States citizenship we need.
GOES stands for Global Online Enrollment System. First, we each needed to create an online ID that included a user name and password. With that step completed, we could each create an account number that would be assigned to our application.
We completed and submitted our applications online using the GOES system. The application fee per person was $25 when we applied in 2008. After our applications were processed, an interview appointment with a Customs and Border Protection Officer was arranged online. We accepted the first available back-to-back appointment about a week and a half after we applied. Our wait was very short.
We brought the required documents to our interview. These included the evidence of citizenship that we had listed on our application, our valid drivers’ licenses, vehicle registration and evidence of US automobile insurance issued by a company authorized to write automobile insurance in the U.S., evidence of employment or financial support, and evidence of residence.
SENTRI is known as the “trusted traveler” program.
We understood that the voluntary process included a biographical background check, the personal interview and fingerprinting. Our fingerprint fee was $17.25 per person.
We also paid the $80 per person dedicated commuter lane system cost fee at the enrollment center at the time of our interviews.
Questions and Answers about SENTRI
Q. When I cross the border using the SENTRI lane, should I have my passport too?
A. There is no need to have your passport. The SENTRI card fulfills the WHTI documentation requirement.
Q. If I get stuck in the regular lanes, will my card still work?
A. Sure, your card serves as documentation. However, the great added benefit you miss if you use the regular lanes is being able to use the dedicated commuter lanes (SENTRI lanes) and save time crossing.
Q. Is it is still possible to be selected for secondary inspection?
A. Yes, it is still possible to be selected for secondary inspection. Your vehicle could be randomly selected by computer or the inspector may sense something suspicious.
Q. What do I do when I approach the SENTRI inspection station?
A. You hold up your card so it can be read by the electronic equipment. A sign will indicate where you should point the card to be read. The equipment reads the decal that is affixed to your windshield and your information is displayed to the officer inside the station. When you reach the officer, hold out your SENTRI card so the officer may reach and see it.
Q. How much time does having a SENTRI pass save?
A. It is said that a SENTRI crossing is an average of 20 - 30 seconds faster per vehicle inspected and that a SENTRI inspection averages 10 seconds. For us as we cross from Nogales, Sonora into Nogales, Arizona, we often find ourselves behind as few as three cars and as many as thirty. When the regular lanes might keep us waiting 30 to 90 minutes, the time savings are substantial.
For complete information about the SENTRI program, visit the US Customs and Border Protection website:
http://www.cbp.gov/