[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 77 (Thursday, April 23, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18586-18588]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-9221]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

[Docket No. USCBP-2006-0037]


Expansion of Global Entry Pilot Program

AGENCY: U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Department of Homeland 
Security.

ACTION: General notice.

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SUMMARY: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is currently 
conducting an international trusted traveler pilot program, referred to 
as Global Entry, at seven U.S. airports. This document announces that 
pursuant to an arrangement between the United States and the 
Netherlands, CBP is expanding eligibility for participation in the 
Global Entry pilot to include citizens of the Netherlands who 
participate in Privium, an expedited travel program in the Netherlands, 
and who otherwise satisfy the requirements for participation in Global 
Entry. Currently, eligibility is limited to U.S. citizens, U.S. 
nationals, and U.S. lawful permanent residents (LPRs). Pursuant to this 
same arrangement, U.S. citizens who participate in the Global Entry 
pilot will have the option to also apply for participation in Privium.

DATES: Effective Dates: Applications for the Global Entry pilot are 
currently

[[Page 18587]]

being accepted from U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and U.S. lawful 
permanent residents and will be accepted for the duration of the pilot. 
The expansion of eligibility to qualified citizens of the Netherlands 
will occur on April 23, 2009. Applications will be accepted from 
qualified citizens of the Netherlands beginning April 23, 2009. 
Comments concerning this notice and all aspects of the announced pilot 
may also be submitted throughout the duration of the Global Entry 
pilot.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by ``USCBP-2006-0037,'' 
by one of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Mail: Border Security Regulations Branch, Regulations and 
Rulings, Office of International Trade, U.S. Customs and Border 
Protection, Mint Annex, 799 9th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20229.
    Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency 
name, document title, and docket number (USCBP-2006-0037) for this 
notice. All comments received will be posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments received go to http://www.regulations.gov. Submitted comments 
may also be inspected during regular business days between the hours of 
9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at the Office of Regulations and Rulings, Office 
of International Trade, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, 799 9th 
Street, NW., 5th Floor, Washington, DC. Arrangements to inspect 
submitted comments should be made in advance by calling Mr. Joseph 
Clark at (202) 325-0118.
    Applications for the Global Entry pilot are available through the 
Global On-Line Enrollment System (GOES) at http://www.globalentry.gov. 
Applications must be completed and submitted electronically.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Fiorella Michelucci, Office of Field 
Operations, (202) 344-2564.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    In a notice published in the Federal Register (73 FR 19861) on 
April 11, 2008, CBP announced an international trusted traveler pilot 
program, then referred to as International Registered Traveler (IRT) 
program, which was scheduled to commence operations at three initial 
U.S. airports on June 10, 2008. In a subsequent notice published in the 
Federal Register (73 FR 30416) on May 27, 2008, CBP changed the name of 
the pilot program from IRT to Global Entry and moved up the starting 
date to June 6, 2008.
    The Global Entry pilot program allows for the expedited clearance 
of pre-approved, low-risk travelers into the United States. The initial 
Federal Register notice published on April 11, 2008 contained a 
detailed description of the program, the eligibility criteria and the 
application and selection process, and the initial airport locations: 
John F. Kennedy International Airport, Jamaica, New York, Terminal 4 
(JFK); the George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Houston, Texas (IAH); 
and the Washington Dulles International Airport, Sterling, Virginia 
(IAD). CBP chose these initial airports due to the large numbers of 
travelers that arrive at those locations from outside the United 
States.
    On August 13, 2008, in a notice published in the Federal Register 
(73 FR 47204), CBP announced that the pilot had expanded to include all 
terminals at JFK and four additional airports: Los Angeles 
International Airport, Los Angeles, California (LAX); Hartsfield-
Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Atlanta, Georgia (ATL); Chicago 
O'Hare International Airport, Chicago, Illinois (ORD); and Miami 
International Airport, Miami, Florida (MIA).

Operations

    The Global Entry pilot project allows pilot participants expedited 
entry into the United States at any of the designated airport locations 
by using automated kiosks located in the Federal Inspection Services 
(FIS) area of each airport. Global Entry uses fingerprint biometrics 
technology to verify a participant's identity and confirm his or her 
status as a participant.
    After arriving at the FIS area, participants proceed directly to 
the Global Entry kiosk. A sticker affixed to the participant's passport 
at the time of acceptance in Global Entry will provide visual 
identification that the individual can be referred to the kiosk. Global 
Entry participants need not wait in the regular passport control 
primary inspection lines.
    After arriving at the kiosk, participants activate the system by 
inserting into the document reader either a machine-readable passport 
or a machine-readable U.S. permanent resident card. On-screen 
instructions guide participants to provide fingerprints electronically. 
These fingerprints are compared with the fingerprint biometrics on file 
to validate identity and confirm that the individual is a member of the 
program. Participants are also prompted to look at the camera for a 
digital photograph and to respond to several customs declaration 
questions by use of a touch-screen.
    When the procedures at the kiosk have been successfully completed, 
participants are issued a transaction receipt. This receipt must be 
provided along with the passport or permanent resident card to the CBP 
Officer at the exit control area who will examine and inspect these 
documents. CBP Officers stationed in booths next to the kiosk lanes 
also oversee activities at the kiosk.

Declarations

    When using the Global Entry kiosks, Global Entry participants are 
required to declare all articles being brought into the U.S. pursuant 
to 19 CFR 148.11.
    If a Global Entry participant declares any of the following, the 
kiosk redirects that user to the head of the line at the nearest, open 
passport control, primary inspection station:
    (a) Commercial merchandise or commercial samples, or items that 
exceed the applicable personal exemption amount;
    (b) More than $10,000 in currency or other monetary instruments 
(checks, money orders, etc.), or foreign equivalent in any form; or
    (c) Restricted/prohibited goods, such as agricultural products, 
firearms, mace, pepper spray, endangered animals, birds, narcotics, 
fireworks, Cuban goods, and plants.
    Global Entry participants may also be subject to further 
examination and inspection as determined by CBP Officers at any time 
during the arrival process.
    For a more detailed description of the Global Entry pilot program, 
please refer to the April 11, 2008 Federal Register notice, 73 FR 
19861.

Expanded Eligibility

    Eligibility criteria for participation in the Global Entry pilot 
are set forth in detail in the April 11, 2008 Federal Register notice. 
To date, only U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and U.S. LPRs are eligible 
to participate in the pilot. However, as explained in the April 11, 
2008 Federal Register notice, CBP is working with other countries to 
recognize comparable programs operated by these countries and, as these 
arrangements are finalized, CBP will expand its eligibility criteria. 
The notice stated that such expansions of the pilot would be announced 
by publication in the Federal Register.

[[Page 18588]]

Expansion of Global Entry to Certain Citizens of the Netherlands

    The United States has entered into an arrangement with the 
Netherlands concerning Global Entry. Pursuant to this arrangement, CBP 
is expanding eligibility for the Global Entry pilot. Specifically, 
citizens of the Netherlands who participate in Privium, an expedited 
travel program in the Netherlands, will now be able to apply for 
participation in the Global Entry pilot. In order to participate, these 
citizens of the Netherlands will be required to complete the on-line 
application, pay the non-refundable $100 per person applicant 
processing fee, and satisfy all the requirements of the Global Entry 
pilot. Based on the terms of the arrangement reached with the 
Government of the Netherlands, these citizens will be permitted to 
participate in the Global Entry pilot only upon successful completion 
of a thorough risk assessment by both U.S. Customs and Border 
Protection and the Government of the Netherlands.
    No person who is inadmissible to the United States under U.S. 
immigration law is eligible to participate in the Global Entry pilot. 
Applications from such individuals will automatically be rejected. 
Applications for the Global Entry pilot may also be rejected if the 
applicant has ever been convicted of a criminal offense, or the 
individual has ever been found in violation of the customs or 
immigration laws of the United States, or of any criminal law. 
Additionally, no applicant will be accepted for participation in the 
Global Entry pilot if CBP determines that the individual presents a 
potential risk for terrorism, criminality or smuggling, or if CBP 
cannot sufficiently determine that the applicant meets all the program 
eligibility criteria. CBP will be accepting applications from eligible 
citizens of the Netherlands beginning April 23, 2009. Additional 
information on eligibility will be announced at http://www.globalentry.gov.
    The Netherlands is also a participant in the Visa Waiver Program 
(VWP). The VWP enables citizens and nationals from participating 
countries to travel to and enter the United States for business or 
pleasure purposes for up to 90 days without obtaining a visa.\1\ VWP 
travelers are now required to obtain a travel authorization via ESTA 
(Electronic System for Travel Authorization) prior to traveling to the 
United States under the VWP. ESTA is accessible online at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov. The ESTA requirements will continue to be applicable 
to Global Entry applicants who are VWP travelers. Global Entry 
applicants from the Netherlands who wish to travel to the United States 
under the VWP who have not already received a travel authorization via 
ESTA will be able to do so as part of the Global Entry application and 
enrollment process. During the Global Entry enrollment and interview 
phase the applicant will be asked whether he or she is in possession of 
an ESTA authorization number. If not in possession of an ESTA 
authorization number, the applicant will be asked questions from which 
it can be determined whether the applicant is VWP-eligible, and a 
determination regarding ESTA authorization will be made.
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    \1\ Section 7208 of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism 
Prevention Act of 2004 (IRPTA), 118 Stat. 3638, as amended by 
section 565 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008, 121 Stat. 
1844, codified at 8 U.S.C. 1365b, directs the Secretary to establish 
an international registered traveler program in coordination with 
US-VISIT, other prescreening initiatives, and the Visa Waiver 
Program. See 8 U.S.C. 1365b(k)(3).
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    All other aspects of the program as described in the April 11, 2008 
notice are still in effect.

U.S. Citizen Participation in Privium

    Pursuant to the reciprocal arrangement with the Government of the 
Netherlands, U.S. citizens who participate in the Global Entry pilot 
will have the option to also apply for participation in Privium. 
Privium is an automated border passage system in the Netherlands that 
provides expedited entry and exit at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. It 
uses iris scans to provide quick and secure biometric confirmation of a 
traveler's identity. Enrollment includes an eligibility assessment by 
the Dutch border police. Upon a positive determination of eligibility, 
pictures of each iris are taken and stored on a personalized smart 
card. Upon entry and exit, Privium members place their Privium smart 
card into a reader and a passport validity check is performed with the 
Dutch authorities and valid membership is verified. The individual's 
iris information is then compared against the iris information stored 
on the card. This border passage process takes approximately twelve 
seconds.
    Additional fees and information sharing beyond CBP's Global Entry 
requirements are needed for U.S. citizens who wish to participate in 
Privium through Global Entry. If approved, U.S. citizens would be able 
to take advantage of expedited travel into, and out of, the Netherlands 
at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. More information about how to apply for 
Privium membership is available at http://www.globalentry.gov.

    Dated: April 16, 2009.
Susan T. Mitchell,
Acting Assistant Commissioner, Office of Field Operations.
[FR Doc. E9-9221 Filed 4-22-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9111-14-P