Each day, thousands of vehicles cross the Rio Grande Valley’s ports of entry and everyone is looking to save time.
Since June 2009, U.S. and Canadian citizens entering the United States by land are required to present a valid, Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative or WHTI-compliant document, which can include one of the following a U.S. Passport card or passport or a Trusted Traveler Program card such as NEXUS, SENTRI or the FAST/EXPRES.
These documents contain radio frequency identification or RFID which reduces the time it takes to process travelers at the border.
“As a traveler is coming up to the bridge here, can you explain the process as he’s driving up” said Office of Congressional & Community Relations Liaison (RGV-Sector Border Patrol) Irma Chapa.
“As he slows down there is a document reader right in front, as soon as they pass by, that will pick up the card 20’ prior to making the primary entry and at that point the officers will get the information based on the card information” said Gil Aldaz, OFO Assist Port Director-Progreso Port of Entry.
“It has nothing to do with personal information, there is a number attached to the RFID document and that goes through a secure database that gives us information and it only identifies your citizenship and your identity, nothing else.”
“Over the past year, CBP has strongly encouraged travelers to obtain an RFID-enabled travel cards. Those who have them have access to use the Ready Lane and its proven to be a great benefit” Chapa said.
“The wait time itself just the 10-20 seconds compounded throughout the day, throughout the week, throughout the month … it saves time especially if you’re a regular crosser.
Thus far, CBP has had a positive response on those actively using the “Ready Lane” at both the Donna and Gateway International Bridge. The lane is open to the traveling public during specific periods based on the ports of entry traffic patterns.
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