The temporary closure of Trusted Traveler Program enrollment centers of Customs and Border Protection of the United States has been extended by another month as a precautionary measure to mitigate exposure of both personnel and the public to the current 2019 Novel Coronavirus pandemic, as they are now currently closed throughout the United States through at least Tuesday, September 8, 2020.
Trusted Traveler Program Enrollment Centers Remain Closed Through September 2020 Due to 2019 Novel Coronavirus
The initial date of when the suspension of enrollment would possibly expire was originally Friday, May 1, 2020; and then it was postponed through at least Monday, June 1, 2020 before it was postponed yet again through through Monday, July 6, 2020.
The good news is that all public access Global Entry enrollment centers, NEXUS enrollment centers, SENTRI enrollment centers and FAST enrollment locations — as well as Global Entry mobile enrollment events — were initially suspended until further notice; but they may reopen as soon as Tuesday, September 8, 2020.
More good news is that Customs and Border Protection extended the period of time that Trusted Traveler Program applications remain active because of the current 2019 Novel Coronavirus pandemic, as each applicant now has 545 days from the date that Customs and Border Protection conditionally approves his or her application to complete the enrollment process.
Additionally, Customs and Border Protection will extend for up to 18 months the Trusted Traveler Program benefits of members who apply for renewal before their current memberships expire.
“Trusted Traveler Programs applicants who scheduled interviews at enrollment centers on or before September 7 must reschedule their appointments”, according to this official national media release from Customs and Border Protection of the United States. “To reschedule, applicants should log into their Trusted Traveler Programs account on or after September 8 and use the online scheduling tool.”
Global Entry, TSA Pre✓, SENTRI, NEXUS, and FAST are the five Trusted Traveler programs — which are based on risk — designed to facilitate the entry of travelers who have already been approved in advance. All applicants are vetted to ensure that they meet the qualifications for the program to which they are applying; and once accepted, memberships in each of the aforementioned five programs last for a duration of five years. Receiving a “Best Match” or program recommendation based on eligibility or travel habits does not guarantee acceptance into any Trusted Traveler program.
Because its enrollment process typically does not include an interview, no mention of the TSA Pre✓ program was found in the aforementioned national media release and is not included at the time this article was written.
Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency which is charged with the management, control and protection of the borders of the United States at and between official ports of entry — as well as securing the borders of the United States while enforcing hundreds of laws and facilitating lawful trade and travel. Its “highest priority is to ensure the health, safety and security of our workforce and the American people. CBP agents, officers and mission support personnel will continue to support the whole-of-government response to the COVID-19 outbreak.”
Summary
I cited my reasons as to why I refuse to pay to enroll in the Trusted Traveler programs in this article on Monday, September 30, 2019; but you unfortunately have no choice but to wait until at least Tuesday, September 8, 2020 if you are interested in enrollment — although you should still be able to enroll in the TSA Pre✓ program. Do not be surprised if enrollment in the TSA Pre✓ program takes more time to process than usual.
Photograph ©2016 by Brian Cohen.
