Trusted Traveler Programs
Congressional research reportMay 5, 2021
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Trusted Traveler Programs
May 5, 2021
Congressional Research Service
https://crsreports.congress.gov
R46783
SUMMARY
Trusted Traveler Programs
R46783
May 5, 2021
Trusted traveler programs expedite the inspection of preapproved, low-risk travelers to
the United States. Trusted traveler programs help the Transportation Security
Abigail F. Kolker
Analyst in Immigration
Administration (TSA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) achieve their
Policy
goals of facilitating the lawful flow of people and goods while preventing the entry of
unauthorized individuals, criminals, terrorists, and contraband. Trusted traveler
programs operate at various combinations of air, land, and sea ports of entry. They all
screen individuals arriving at a U.S. port of entry, and some programs screen those
departing the United States, those traveling within the United States, or those embarking on U.S.-bound travel
(i.e., at international preclearance locations).
Individuals who apply for membership in trusted traveler programs provide personal data that is checked against
terrorist and criminal databases to determine if they present a low security risk. If approved, travelers may use
dedicated lanes and kiosks at selected ports of entry. This expedites the security screening process and allows the
applicable government agency—TSA or CBP—to expend fewer resources screening low-risk travelers, thereby
reserving resources for the screening of travelers for whom risk levels are unknown. In other words, these
programs are a tool for risk management.
This report discusses the five major U.S. trusted traveler programs: PreCheck, Global Entry, NEXUS (not an
acronym), Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection (SENTRI), and Free and Secure Trade
(FAST). PreCheck is an expedited security screening process at U.S. airports. Global Entry allows for expedited
clearance for preapproved, low-risk travelers when they enter the United States by air. NEXUS allows
prescreened travelers expedited processing when entering the United States or Canada by air, land, or sea.
SENTRI allows for expedited clearance for preapproved, low -risk travelers at certain land ports of entry along the
U.S.-Mexico border. FAST is a commercial truck clearance program that provides expedited processing for
known, low-risk shipments entering the United States from Canada and Mexico.
TSA PreCheck was authorized by the Aviation and Transportation Security Act (P.L. 107-71), and expanded by
the FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016 (P.L. 114-190) and the FAA Reauthorization of 2018 (P.L.
115-254). CBP’s trusted traveler programs, which include Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, and FAST, are
authorized by various statutes, including Section 7208 of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of
2004 (IRTPA; P.L. 108-458), as amended, 8 U.S.C. §1365b(k); Section 215 of the Immigration and Nationality
Act, as amended, 8 U.S.C. §1185; Section 402 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-296), as amended,
6 U.S.C. §202; Section 404 of the Enhanced Border Security and Visa Reform Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-173), 8
U.S.C. §1753; and Section 433 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, 19 U.S.C. §1433. FAST is also authorized
by Title VI of the North American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act (P.L. 103-182), 19 U.S.C. §14111414.
This report provides an overview of each program, including TSA’s and CBP’s legal authority to establish and
operate these programs. It also outlines each program’s eligibility requirements and application process and
summarizes each program’s screening/admissions, membership, and application data for the past 10 fiscal years
(where available). The report concludes with a discussion of recent legislative activity.
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Trusted Traveler Programs
Contents
TSA PreCheck................................................................................................................ 1
Legal Authority ......................................................................................................... 2
Eligibility Requirements and Application Process ........................................................... 2
Screening, Membership, and Enrollment Data................................................................ 3
Authority for CBP’s Trusted Traveler Programs ................................................................... 4
Global Entry................................................................................................................... 5
Eligibility Requirements and Application Process ........................................................... 6
Admissions, Membership, and Application Data............................................................. 7
NEXUS ......................................................................................................................... 8
Eligibility Requirements and Application Process ........................................................... 8
Admissions, Membership, and Application Data............................................................. 9
SENTRI ...................................................................................................................... 10
Eligibility Requirements and Application Process ......................................................... 11
Admissions, Membership, and Application Data........................................................... 12
FAST .......................................................................................................................... 13
Eligibility Requirements and Application Process ......................................................... 13
Admissions, Membership, and Application Data........................................................... 14
Selected Legislative Activity........................................................................................... 19
Tables
Table 1. TSA PreCheck Screening, Membership, and Enrollment ........................................... 4
Table 2. Global Entry Admissions, Membership, and Applications.......................................... 7
Table 3. NEXUS Admissions, Membership, and Applications .............................................. 10
Table 4. SENTRI Admissions, Membership, and Applications.............................................. 12
Table 5. FAST North Admissions, Membership, and Applications......................................... 14
Table 6. FAST South Admissions, Membership, and Applications......................................... 15
Table 7. Trusted Traveler Programs: At a Glance................................................................ 17
Table A-1. Global Entry Program: Enrollment of Partner Country Citizens, FY2013FY2020 .................................................................................................................... 20
Appendixes
Appendix. Global Entry Enrollment of Partner Country Citizens .......................................... 20
Contacts
Author Information ....................................................................................................... 21
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rusted traveler programs allow for expedited processing of preapproved, low-risk travelers
at certain ports of entry. Individuals who apply for membership in the programs provide
certain biographic, and in some cases biometric, data. These data are used to conduct
security threat assessments of individuals using terrorist and criminal databases . If determined
that they present a low security risk, approved travelers may use dedicated lanes and kiosks at
select ports of entry. This expedites the security screening process and allows the applicable
government agency—the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) or U.S. Customs and
Border Protection (CBP)—to expend fewer resources screening low-risk travelers and thereby
reserve resources for the screening of travelers for whom risk levels are unknown. The security
benefits of trusted traveler programs are designed to increase with scale because moving more
travelers into expedited lanes leaves fewer unknown travelers, thus mitigating the “needle in the
haystack” challenge of enforcement at ports of entry.
T
By distinguishing between known, low-risk travelers and lesser-known, potentially higher-risk
travelers, these programs aim to enhance national security without disrupting the flow of travel
and commerce. Border officials are dually responsible for facilitating the lawful flow of people
and goods while preventing unauthorized entries, criminals, terrorists, and contraband from
entering the United States. These policy goals are inherently in tension, as efforts to identify and
prevent bad actors may delay the flow of legitimate travelers and commerce, while efforts to
expedite the admissions queue may increase the risk that illicit travelers or goods are overlooked.
Congress and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may consider deciding how to
balance border security and facilitation of legitimate trade and travel. Trusted traveler programs
are part of a risk management approach to address that dilemma.
This report discusses the five major trusted traveler programs in the United States—TSA’s
PreCheck and four programs run by CBP: Global Entry, NEXUS (not an acronym), Secure
Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection (SENTRI), and Free and Secure Trade
(FAST). 1 It provides an overview of these five programs, including each one’s eligibility
requirements and application processes, as well as key program data points such as annual
screenings or admissions, membership, and applications. It also explains the legal and regulatory
authority for these programs. The report concludes with a discussion of recent legislative activity
related to trusted traveler programs.
TSA PreCheck
TSA PreCheck is an expedited security screening process at U.S. airports that began in October
2011 and became fully operational in 2012. PreCheck was initially available to frequent fliers of
select airlines, 2 but starting in December 2013 most individuals were able to apply for the
1
Other trusted traveler programs, such as the U.S.-Asia Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business T ravel Card
Program, are outside the scope of this report. In addition, this report does not address registered traveler programs,
which, “like trusted traveler programs, allow individuals to provide their information to U.S. Customs and Border
Protection (CBP) voluntarily prior to travel in order to qualify for dedicated processing. Unlike trusted travelers,
registered travelers are not subject to vetting, but rather maintain information on file with CBP to better facilitate their
arrival at ports of entry” (U.S. Department of Homeland Security, “Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records,” 85
Federal Register 14214, March 11, 2020, p. 14215, at https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2020-03-11/pdf/202004980.pdf). Finally, the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) is not a trusted traveler program and is thus outside the scope of
this report. For more information on the VWP, see CRS Report RL32221, Visa Waiver Program ; and CRS Report
R46300, Adding Countries to the Visa Waiver Program: Effects on National Security and Tourism .
2 T ransportation Security Administration (T SA), “ TSA Pre✓™ Pilot Starts T oday at Select Airports to Further Enhance
Security,” press release, at https://www.tsa.gov/news/press/releases/2011/10/04/tsa-pretm-pilot-starts-today-select-
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PreCheck program. PreCheck screens passengers upon departure, for both domestic and
international flights. PreCheck passengers are processed through specially designated screening
lanes where they can keep laptops and liquids inside their carry-on bags and they do not need to
remove shoes, belts, or light jackets. 3 PreCheck is available at more than 200 airports in the
United States when traveling on one of the 73 participating airlines. 4
Legal Authority
In 2001, the Aviation and Transportation Security Act (P.L. 107-71) authorized TSA to “establish
requirements to implement trusted passenger programs and use available technologies to expedite
the security screening of passengers who participate in such programs, thereby allowing security
screening personnel to focus on those passengers who should be subject to more extensive
screening.” PreCheck is a cornerstone of TSA’s risk-based initiatives created under this authority.
Provisions in the FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016 (P.L. 114-190) included
language to expand the PreCheck program by involving private-sector entities in marketing and
enrollment. The act mandates that PreCheck screening lanes be open and available during peak
times and high-volume travel periods.
In the FAA Reauthorization of 2018 (P.L. 115-254), Congress directed TSA to work with at least
two private-sector entities to expand PreCheck enrollment options and set an enrollment target of
15 million by the end of FY2021. 5 The act required TSA to ensure that PreCheck expedited
screening lanes are open and available to program participants during peak and high-volume
travel times and take steps to provide expedited screening at standard screening lanes when
PreCheck lanes are not available. It also instructed TSA to ensure that only trusted traveler
program members and members of the U.S. Armed Forces are permitted to use PreCheck
screening lanes. 6
Eligibility Requirements and Application Process
TSA accepts PreCheck applications from U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, 7 and U.S. lawful
permanent residents (LPRs). There are no age restrictions. Eligible travelers may apply online
and at a TSA enrollment center to join PreCheck. There is a fee of $85 for each application,
including renewal applications.
While applicants can apply online by providing certain biographic data, they also need to
schedule an appointment with TSA to complete the enrollment process, which includes
submitting biometric data (i.e., fingerprints and identity verification documentation containing a
airports-further-enhance.
3 Liquids must comply with T SA’s liquid rule, which states each item must be 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less. For
more information, see T SA, Liquid Rule, at https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/liquids-rule.
4 For a full list of airlines participating in PreCheck, see T SA, “ T SA PreCheck® Participating Airlines,” at
https://www.tsa.gov/precheck/participating-airlines. For an interactive map of participating airports and airlines see
T SA, “ T SA PreCheck® Airports and Airlines,” at https://www.tsa.gov/precheck/map.
5 T he most recent publicly available data suggest that T SA was having difficulty meeting this target even before the
COVID-19 pandemic reduced air travel.
6 For more information, see CRS Report R46678, Transportation Security: Background and Issues for the 117th
Congress.
7 A U.S. national is a person who “owes permanent allegiance to the United States” and includes U.S. citizens (8
U.S.C. §1101(a)(22)). Noncitizen U.S. nationals are individuals born in an outlying possession of the United States
(i.e., American Samoa or Swains Island) to parents who are not citizens of the United States.
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photograph, such as a passport or driver’s license). TSA uses the submitted information to
conduct security threat assessments of individuals using law enforcement, immigration, and
intelligence databases, including a fingerprint-based criminal history records check through the
FBI.
Once vetted and approved, a traveler receives a notification letter from TSA with an assigned
PreCheck Known Traveler Number that they are to use when booking and checking in for
commercial airline flights to be eligible for expedited screening. PreCheck participation is
generally valid for five years, 8 and travelers can apply to renew their membership six months
before expiration.
Certain individuals can utilize PreCheck expedited screening lanes even if they are not enrolled in
the PreCheck program. For example, if a child under the age of 12 is not enrolled in the program,
they may participate in the program’s expedited screening if they are traveling with a parent or
guardian who is enrolled in PreCheck. In addition, PreCheck expedited screening lanes can by
utilized by certain members of select CBP trusted traveler programs (including Global Entry,
SENTRI, and NEXUS).
Individuals are ineligible for PreCheck if, within specified time periods (generally seven years
since court determination or five years since release from prison), they have been convicted of,
found not guilty by reason of insanity of, or are under want, warrant, or indictment for certain
crimes. 9 Further, TSA may reject an applicant with extensive foreign or domestic criminal
convictions, even if the crimes are not specifically disqualifying, and may reject an applicant
based on information in government terrorist watchlists, International Criminal Police
Organization (INTERPOL) databases, and other international law enforcement and
counterterrorism databases.
Screening, Membership, and Enrollment Data
Table 1 displays screening, membership, and enrollment data from FY2014 through FY2020.
PreCheck screened 1.4 billion air travelers during this period. 10 Membership in the PreCheck
program rose each year. New (initial) enrollments in the program rose from FY2014 through
FY2016, dropped in FY2017, and rose again in FY2018 and FY2019. Enrollments dropped again
in FY2020, possibly due to the impacts of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
pandemic. 11 The application approval rate from FY2014 through FY2020 held constant at 99%.
From FY2013 through FY2020, approximately 8,000 individuals in total were denied
membership in PreCheck. 12
8
Applicants who wish to appeal a PreCheck denial must notify T SA within 30 days to indicate their intent to appeal and
to correct information believed to be inaccurate. T o obtain corrections, the applicant must provide certified copies of
records supporting the claim that the initial determination was inappropriate.
9 T SA, “ Disqualifying Offenses and Other Factors,” at https://www.tsa.gov/disqualifying-offenses-factors.
T SA’s earliest available data are for FY2014. T his is because, according to CRS correspondence with T SA in
October 2020, “ T SA’s Performance Management Information System (PMIS) development and enhancement occurred
during fiscal year (FY) 2014. T herefore, prior to FY2014 the ability to designate expedited screening (types),
throughput totals, and the number of PreCheck members and applications is unavailable” (CRS correspondence with
T SA in October 2020).
10
11 T he COVID-19 pandemic sharply reduced international travel in 2020 because of reduced desire and ability to travel
(e.g., because of border closures). Moreover, due to the pandemic, some T SA enrollment centers closed or modified
their hours of operation (T SA, “COVID-19 Impact: Enrollment Questions,” at https://www.tsa.gov/sites/default/files/
esvp_covid-19-faqs-03202020.pdf).
12 CRS correspondence with T SA in October 2020.
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Table 1. TSA PreCheck Screening, Membership, and Enrollment
FY2014-FY2020
Application
Approval
Rate
Fiscal Year
Travelers
Screened
Members a
New
Enrollments b
FY2014
133,697,275
533,206
592,086
—
99%
FY2015
268,763,205
1,589,867
1,014,824
—
99%
FY2016
280,269,184
3,739,548
2,188,290
—
99%
FY2017
256,439,655
5,460,820
1,660,277
—
99%
FY2018
195,844,278
7,211,269
1,753,441
873 c
99%
FY2019
205,212,523
9,159,904
2,139,216
591,080
99%
FY2020
83,191,578
10,069,514
1,164,750
699,982
99%
Renewals
Source: Congressional Research Service (CRS) correspondence with the Transportation Safety Administration
(TSA) in October 2020.
a. According to TSA, “data includes [sic] the total count of active cumulative TSA PreCheck members by fiscal
year. This includes new members and does not count previous members that have expired.”
b.
According to TSA, “the number of active members will not match with enrollments numbers due to denials,
expirations, and application processing time that can lag behind enrollments.”
c.
Renewals began in late 2018.
Authority for CBP’s Trusted Traveler Programs
CBP’s trusted traveler programs—Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, and FAST—are authorized
by various statutes, including
Section 7208 of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004
(IRTPA; P.L. 108-458), as amended, 8 U.S.C. §1365b(k);
Section 215 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended, 8 U.S.C.
§1185;
Section 402 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-296), as amended, 6
U.S.C. §202;
Section 404 of the Enhanced Border Security and Visa Reform Act of 2002 (P.L.
107-173), 8 U.S.C. §1753; and
Section 433 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, 19 U.S.C. §1433. 13
FAST, which is a program for commercial truck drivers, is also authorized by the National
Customs Automation Program, established in Subtitle B of the Customs Modernization Act (Title
VI of the North American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act (P.L. 103-182), 19 U.S.C.
§§1411-1414). 14
13 U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), “Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records,” 85 Federal Register
14214, March 11, 2020, at https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2020-03-11/pdf/2020-04980.pdf.
14 U.S. Department of the T reasury, “Modification, Expansion, and Re-Designation of National Customs Automation
Program T est of the Account -Based Declaration Prototype To Free and Secure T rade,” 67 Federal Register 77128,
December 16, 2002, at https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2002-12-16/pdf/02-31578.pdf.
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The regulations that permit and define these programs include 8 C.F.R. §§103.2, 103.7, 103.16,
235.1, 235.2, 235.7,15 and 235.12. Testing of the FAST program is authorized in 19 C.F.R.
§101.9(b). 16
Global Entry
Global Entry (GE) allows for expedited clearance for preapproved, low -risk travelers when they
arrive in the United States by air. GE began as a pilot program in 2008 with kiosks in three
airports. The program became permanent in 2012 and continued to expand. Currently, there are
GE kiosks in 61 U.S. airports and 15 foreign airports (preclearance locations).17
In general, GE members are eligible for expedited processing at participating ports of entry.
Instead of the normal primary inspections, 18 GE members present their machine-readable travel
documents (via a card-swipe system), fingerprints (via a scanner), and customs declarations (via a
touchscreen) at an automated GE kiosk. In most cases, the kiosk issues a receipt, and travelers
may claim their bags and exit into the airport without further inspection. GE members may still
be selected for secondary inspection on the basis of derogatory information during the screening
process or at random.19
Certain members 20 receive GE cards with radio frequency identification (RFID) chips.21 These
cards are compliant with the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), 22 and they enable
reciprocal privileges to use Ready Lanes, 23 NEXUS, and SENTRI travel lanes when entering the
United States at land borders. 24 In order to utilize SENTRI lanes, GE members must register their
vehicle. GE members are also allowed to utilize PreCheck expedited screening lanes.
15 SENT RI is a PORT PASS Program, which is described in 8 C.F.R. §235.7.
16 FAST was formerly known as NCAP/P (i.e., the National Customs Automation Program [NCAP] test of an Account-
Based Declaration Prototype [NCAP/P]).
17
CRS correspondence with CBP in December 2020.
18 During primary inspection, CBP officers conduct a brief interview with travelers, examine travel documents, and
check travelers against the Interagency Border Inspection System (IBIS), a database of alleged and convicted criminals.
19
As compared to primary inspection, individuals in secondary inspection may be subject to a more extensive interview
and/or a physical search, as well as being subject to vetting against additional databases.
20 Global Entry (GE) cards with radio frequency identification (RFID) are only issued to GE members who are U.S.
citizens, U.S. LPRs, or Mexican nationals. (See the “ Eligibility Requirements and Application Process” section below
for the complete list of nationalities eligible for Global Entry.) GE cards cannot be used at GE kiosks; only passports or
lawful permanent resident cards are accepted at GE kiosks. NEXUS cards are accepted at GE kiosks located in
Canadian Preclearance Airports.
21 RFID is a contactless integrated circuit technology that permits scanners to read data tags quickly and remotely; EZ-
Pass highway toll transponders are a familiar example.
22
T he Western Hemisphere T ravel Initiative (WHT I) is a joint U.S. Department of State and DHS initiative to
implement the mandates and recommendations of the Intelligence Reform and T errorism Prevention Act of 2004
(IRT PA; P.L. 108-458). For more information, see CBP, “ Western Hemisphere T ravel Initiative,” at
https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/western-hemisphere-travel-initiative.
23
Ready Lanes are dedicated processing lanes at land ports of entry for vehicular and pedestrian travelers with Ready
Lane-eligible travel cards. For more information, see CBP, “ Ready Lanes,” at https://www.cbp.gov/travel/clearing-cbp/
ready-lanes.
24 T he GE card is not valid for entry into Canada via the NEXUS lanes.
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Eligibility Requirements and Application Process
GE is open to U.S. citizens and LPRs, as well as citizens of Argentina, Colombia, Germany,
India, the Netherlands, Panama, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, and the United
Kingdom, and nationals 25 of Mexico. 26 Additionally, CBP has pilot agreements with Brazil, Israel,
Japan, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. 27 Canadian citizens and residents may also receive GE benefits
by joining NEXUS. Applicants under age 18 must have a parent’s or legal guardian’s consent. 28
Eligible individuals can apply online through the Global Online Enrollment System and pay a
$100 fee per application for a membership that is valid for five years. Applicants are required to
participate in an in-person interview at a GE enrollment center. At the interview, applicants must
present a valid passport and another form of identification; LPRs must present their LPR card.
Applicants must also provide biometric data (e.g., fingerprints and photographs). Members can
apply for renewal one year before their membership expires. 29
Applicants are checked against a variety of national security and criminal databases during the
initial application and upon each return or visit to the United States.
To receive a membership in GE, applicants must not
provide false or incomplete application information;
have any previous criminal convictions, pending criminal charges, or outstanding
warrants in any country (this includes driving under the influence);
have any previous customs, immigration, or agriculture violations in any country;
be the subject of an ongoing investigation by any federal, state, or local law
enforcement agency in any country;
be inadmissible to the United States; 30
have any known or suspected terrorist connections; or
be unable to satisfy CBP that they are low risk. 31
25 According to Mexican law, individuals can obtain Mexican nation ality by birth or naturalization (Capítulo II, Article
30). T hey become Mexican citizens when they reach the age of 18 (Capítulo IV, Article 34), as citizenship is linked to
the exercise of political rights such as voting (Capítulo IV, Article 35). For more information, see Constitución Política
de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos, at http://www.diputados.gob.mx/LeyesBiblio/pdf_mov/Constitucion_Politica.pdf.
According to CBP, “t here may be additional requirements [applicants] must meet depending on [the applicants’]
country of citizenship.” For more information, see CBP, “ Eligibility for Global Entry,” at https://www.cbp.gov/travel/
trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry/eligibility.
27 Pilot agreements are negotiated with each partner country, and are “intended to allow the partner country time to
develop their infrastructure and evaluate the long-term benefit of enacting a ‘full’ arrangement.” Unlike full
arrangements, in which all partner country citizens can apply for GE membership, pilot agreements allow limited,
specified groups of individuals to apply for the program (CRS correspondence with CBP in December 2020).
26
28 Eligibility requirements for Global Entry are defined in 8 C.F.R. §235.12.
CBP, “ Global Entry Frequently Asked Questions,” at https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/globalentry/frequently-asked-questions.
30
Applicants with approved waivers of inadmissibility or parole documentation are also ineligible. For more
information on waivers of inadmissibility, see U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), “ I-601, Application
for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility,” at https://www.uscis.gov/i-601. For more information in immigration
parole, see CRS Report R46570, Immigration Parole and USCIS, “ Humanitarian or Significant Public Benefit Parole
for Individuals Outside the United States,” at https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/humanitarian-or-significant-publicbenefit-parole-for-individuals-outside-the-united-states.
29
31 8 CFR §235.12(b)(2).
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Admissions, Membership, and Application Data
Table 2 presents data for the GE program from FY2011 through FY2020. GE admissions
increased steadily from FY2011 through FY2019 before a sharp decrease in FY2020, coinciding
with decreased international travel as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Membership in the program increased steadily each year from FY2011 through FY2019;
membership continued to increase in FY2020, but at a slightly slower rate. This may have been
partially due to CBP closing trusted traveler program enrollment centers on March 19, 2020, in
order to “minimize the risk of exposing travelers and CBP personnel to the novel coronavirus.”32
On September 8, 2020, CBP resumed in-person interviews of conditionally approved GE
applicants at most enrollment centers.
The total number of applications for GE increased every year from FY2011 through FY2019, but
decreased for the first time in a decade in FY2020. Renewals as a percentage of total applications
have grown exponentially since FY2012. In FY2020, renewals as a percentage of total
applications were at a 10-year high (41%).
The data in Table 2 represent all GE members. For information that parses out partner country
citizens’ enrollment in the program, see Table A-1 in the Appendix.
Table 2. Global Entry Admissions, Membership, and Applications
FY2011-FY2020
Fiscal Year
Admissions
Members
Total
Applications a
Percentage of
Total
Applications
That Were
Renewals
Total
Application
Approval Rate
FY2011
888,064
200,385
160,720
—
96%
FY2012
2,221,650
431,004
300,573
0.1%
95%
FY2013
3,334,657
935,510
599,553
0.3%
97%
FY2014
4,742,228
1,692,901
815,111
1.5%
97%
FY2015
6,151,435
2,431,016
852,180
4.2%
98%
FY2016
7,525,187
3,467,342
1,468,895
6.2%
98%
FY2017
9,276,766
4,658,906
1,481,671
12.3%
98%
FY2018
10,775,318
5,783,545
1,679,933
15.8%
98%
FY2019
11,747,143
6,743,827
2,246,208
31.3%
98%
FY2020
5,902,606
7,116,030
1,316,846
41.1%
98%
Source: CRS correspondence with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in October 2020.
a.
Total applications includes initial applications and renewals.
32 CBP, “ CBP to Reopen T rusted T raveler Programs Enrollment Centers September 8 ,” press release, September 4,
2020, at https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/national-media-release/cbp-reopen-trusted-traveler-programs-enrollmentcenters-september-8. Enrollment on Arrival remained operational during this period. Enrollment on Arrival allows
“ conditionally approved Global Entry applicants to complete the enrollment process without pre-scheduling an
interview.” For more information, see CBP, “ Enrollment on Arrival,” at https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-travelerprograms/global-entry/enrollment-arrival.
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NEXUS
NEXUS (not an acronym), is a trusted travel program jointly managed by the United States and
Canada. It began in 2002 and allows prescreened travelers expedited processing when entering
the United States and Canada. 33 NEXUS members can use dedicated NEXUS lanes at 21 land
ports of entry on the U.S.-Canada border, 34 and at NEXUS kiosks when entering Canada by air or
marine reporting locations. 35 To use NEXUS travel lanes, members receive an identification card
that has an RFID chip36 and is WHTI-compliant. 37
NEXUS members receive reciprocal privileges enabling them to utilize PreCheck expedited
screening lanes and Global Entry kiosks when entering the United States via Canadian
preclearance airports. They are also allowed to use SENTRI lanes and Ready Lanes. 38
Eligibility Requirements and Application Process
U.S. citizens and LPRs, Canadian citizens and lawful permanent residents, and Mexican
nationals 39 who are members of Mexico’s trusted traveler program, Viajero Confiable, are eligible
for NEXUS. Applicants under 18 must have a parent’s or legal guardian’s consent.
Individuals can apply online through the Global Online Enrollment System or mail a completed
application, along with photocopies of supporting documentation, to a Canadian Processing
Center. A NEXUS membership is valid for five years. Members can apply for renewal 90 days
prior to the expiration of their membership. The application fee for both first time and renewal
applications is $50 (USD) for adults if applying online or $50 (CAD) if applying by mail.
Children under 18 do not pay an application fee.
A NEXUS applicant undergoes a risk assessment by CBP and the Canada Border Services
Agency. Applicants who are conditionally approved must then be interviewed at a NEXUS
enrollment center to complete the application process. Both the United States and Canada issue
the final approval. Approved applicants can only utilize NEXUS kiosks to enter Canada if they
have images of their irises captured by the Canadian government. 40
33
U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), Trusted Travelers: Programs Provide Benefits, but Enrollment
Processes Could Be Strengthened, GAO-14-483, May 2014, p. 5, at https://www.gao.gov/assets/670/663724.pdf.
34
A list of ports with dedicated NEXUS lanes and hours of operation is available at Government of Canada, Canadian
Border Service Agency, “NEXUS: Land,” at http://cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/nexus/land-terre-eng.html#where-ou.
35 For more information on marine reporting locations, see CBP, “ Pleasure Boat Reporting Requirements,” at
https://www.cbp.gov/travel/pleasure-boats-private-flyers/pleasure-boat-overview.
36 RFID is a contactless integrated circuit technology that permits scanners to read data tags quickly and remotely; EZPass highway toll transponders are a familiar example.
37 WHT I is a joint U.S. Department of State and DHS initiative to implement the mandates and recommendations of the
IRT PA (P.L. 108-458). For more information, see CBP, “ Western Hemisphere T ravel Initiative,” at
https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/western-hemisphere-travel-initiative.
38
Ready Lanes are dedicated processing lanes at land ports of entry for vehicular and pedestrian travelers with Ready
Lane-eligible travel cards. For more information, see CBP, “ Ready Lanes,” at https://www.cbp.gov/travel/clearing-cbp/
ready-lanes.
39 According to Mexican law, individuals can obtain Mexican nationality by birth or naturalization (Capítulo II, Article
30). T hey become Mexican citizens when they reach the age of 18 (Capítulo IV, Article 34), as citizenship is linked to
the exercise of political rights such as voting (Capítulo IV, Article 35). For more information, see Constitución Política
de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos, at http://www.diputados.gob.mx/LeyesBiblio/pdf_mov/Constitucion_Politica.pdf.
40 NEXUS kiosks in Canada capture live photographs but do not appear to scan irises. For more information, see
Canadian Border Services Agency, NEXUS Air: 2. How to use NEXUS kiosks and eGates, https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/
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To receive a membership in NEXUS, applicants must not
provide false or incomplete application information;
have any previous criminal convictions, pending criminal charges, or outstanding
warrants (this includes driving under the influence);
have any previous customs, immigration, or agriculture violations in any country;
be the subject of an ongoing investigation by any federal, state, or local law
enforcement agency in any country;
be inadmissible to the United States; 41
have any known or suspected terrorist connections; or
be unable to satisfy CBP or Canada Border Services Agency that they are low
risk. 42
Admissions, Membership, and Application Data
Table 3 displays admissions, membership, and application data for NEXUS for the past 10 fiscal
years. Admissions under NEXUS doubled from FY2011 through FY2014 before stabilizing
through FY2019 at between 6 million and 7 million annual admissions. FY2020 saw a sharp
decline in admissions, likely due to reduced international travel because of the COVID-19
pandemic.
Membership in NEXUS increased every year during the last decade. While membership did not
decrease in FY2020, it increased less than in the previous years, possibly due to the inability of
applicants to complete the enrollment process. Interviews of conditionally approved NEXUS
applicants at trusted traveler program enrollment centers have been suspended since March 19,
2020, and, unlike those for Global Entry, have not yet resumed. 43
NEXUS applications increased steadily from FY2011 through FY2019, before a sharp decline in
FY2020. Renewals as a subset of total applications increased annually over the last decade. In
FY2020, renewals as a percentage of total applications were at a 10-year high (nearly 65%).
prog/nexus/kiosk-eng.html.
41 Applicants with approved waivers of inadmissibility or parole documentation are also ineligible. For more
information on waivers of inadmissibility, see USCIS, “ I-601, Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility,”
at https://www.uscis.gov/i-601. For more information on immigration parole, see CRS Report R46570, Immigration
Parole; and USCIS, “ Humanitarian or Significant Public Benefit Parole for Individuals Outside the United States,” at
https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/humanitarian-or-significant-public-benefit-parole-for-individuals-outside-theunited-states.
42 8 CFR §235.12(b)(2); CBP, NEXUS Eligibility, at https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/nexus/
nexus-eligibility; CRS correspondence with CBP in December 2020.
43 CBP, “ CBP to Reopen T rusted T raveler Programs Enrollment Centers September 8 ,” press release, September 4,
2020, at https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/national-media-release/cbp-reopen-trusted-traveler-programs-enrollmentcenters-september-8.
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Table 3. NEXUS Admissions, Membership, and Applications
FY2011-FY2020
Fiscal Year
Admissions
Members
Total
Applications a
Percentage of
Total
Applications
That Were
Renewals
Total
Application
Approval
Rate
FY2011
3,550,425
589,918
195,126
8.9%
97%
FY2012
5,360,077
737,302
244,161
6.9%
96%
FY2013
6,138,819
900,499
299,285
11.3%
98%
FY2014
7,016,071
1,079,361
327,166
27.1%
98%
FY2015
6,822,224
1,282,599
331,442
29.8%
98%
FY2016
6,155,771
1,443,452
356,836
30.4%
98%
FY2017
6,387,952
1,614,944
366,968
33.0%
99%
FY2018
6,704,598
1,753,447
444,794
40.0%
99%
FY2019
6,340,131
1,872,118
523,122
42.0%
99%
FY2020
2,794,907
1,880,333
350,181
64.8%
99%
Source: CRS correspondence with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in October 2020.
a.
Total applications includes initial applications and renewals.
SENTRI
The Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection (SENTRI) program, which began
in 1995, allows for expedited clearance for preapproved, low -risk travelers at certain land ports of
entry along the U.S.-Mexico border. 44 Its members may utilize dedicated pedestrian and vehicle
processing lanes, which reduce wait times. While SENTRI provides benefits similar to what
NEXUS provides at the U.S.-Canada border, unlike NEXUS, SENTRI is not jointly managed by
the United States and the neighboring government (i.e., Mexico). SENTRI is available at 12 land
ports of entry, located in Arizona, California, and Texas.
SENTRI members receive a WHTI-compliant45 RFID card. 46 A SENTRI membership provides
reciprocal privileges to use Global Entry kiosks when entering the United States by air and
NEXUS lanes when entering the United States from Canada by land. SENTRI members are also
allowed to use PreCheck expedited screening lanes.
44 GAO, Trusted Travelers: Programs Provide Benefits, but Enrollment Processes Could Be Strengthened , GAO-14-
483, May 2014, p. 5, at https://www.gao.gov/assets/670/663724.pdf.
45 WHT I is a joint U.S. Department of State and DHS initiative to implement the mandates and recommendations of the
IRT PA (P.L. 108-458). For more information, see CBP, “ Western Hemisphere T ravel Initiative,” at
https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/western-hemisphere-travel-initiative.
46 RFID is a contactless integrated circuit technology that permits scanners to read data tags quickly and remotely; EZ-
Pass highway toll transponders are a familiar example.
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Eligibility Requirements and Application Process
SENTRI does not have citizenship requirements or age limitations. However, applicants under
age 18 must have a parent’s or legal guardian’s consent. 47
Applications can be submitted online through the Global Online Enrollment System or by
completing the SENTRI Application paper form (Form 823S). Applicants who are conditionally
approved must then be interviewed at a SENTRI enrollment center and must register the vehicles
they intend to use with the program. SENTRI applicants are subject to more stringent application
requirements than other trusted traveler program applicants and must provide the following:
a valid passport;
another form of identification (e.g., a driver’s license or state ID document);
an LPR card (if an LPR);
original evidence of admissibility to the United States (for non-U.S. citizens);
vehicle registration and proof of insurance or a notarized letter authorizing use of
the vehicle if the SENTRI applicant is not the vehicle owner;
evidence of employment or financial support; and
evidence of place of residence.
The SENTRI fee includes an application fee of $25 per person (or a maximum of $50 for parents
and minor children), a fingerprint fee of $14.50 (for applicants age 14 and older), and a system
cost fee of $82.75 per person (or a maximum of $165.50 for parents and minor children). For an
individual applying alone, the SENTRI fee totals $122.25, paid upon initial application and
renewal applications. There is no fee for the first vehicle registered in the initial application. It
costs an additional $42 per car to register more cars or to register oneself to more than one car.
Furthermore, if no vehicles are registered at the time of initial application, it costs $42 to register
a vehicle later. In addition, SENTRI members may only use SENTRI lanes while driving
registered vehicles. A SENTRI membership is valid for five years. Members can apply for
renewal one year prior to their membership expiration date. 48
To receive a membership in SENTRI, applicants must not
provide false or incomplete application information;
have any previous criminal convictions, pending criminal charges, or outstanding
warrants (this includes driving under the influence);
have any previous customs, immigration, or agriculture violations in any country;
be the subject of an ongoing investigation by any federal, state, or local law
enforcement agency in any country;
be inadmissible to the United States; 49
47
T he parent or legal guardian does not have to be a SENT RI member. Children under age 18 are required to complete
the application process, pay the fee, and schedule an interview (a parent or legal guardian must be present).
48 CBP, “ How T o Renew Your SENT RI Membership,” at https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/sentri/
sentri-renewal.
49 Applicants with approved waivers of inadmissibility or parole documentation are also ineligible. For more
information on waivers of inadmissibility, see USCIS, “ I-601, Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility,”
at https://www.uscis.gov/i-601. For more information in immigration parole, see CRS Report R46570, Immigration
Parole; and USCIS, “ Humanitarian or Significant Public Benefit Parole for Individuals Outside the United States,” at
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Trusted Traveler Programs
have any known or suspected terrorist connections; or
be unable to satisfy CBP that they are low risk. 50
Admissions, Membership, and Application Data
Table 4 provides SENTRI admissions, membership, and application data for FY2011 through
FY2020. SENTRI admissions increased from FY2011 through FY2018, held steady in FY2019,
and then dropped in FY2020, likely due to reduced travel because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Annual SENTRI membership increased steadily over the past 10 fiscal years. It did not drop in
FY2020, but it did not increase at the same rate, likely due to the reduction in applications. The
number of total SENTRI applications each fiscal year fluctuated in the first part of the decade, but
FY2016-FY2019 saw a steady increase. Applications dropped significantly in FY2020, likely due
to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on international travel. 51
Renewals as a subset of total applications increased most years from FY2013 through FY2018. In
FY2020, renewals as a percentage of total applications were at a 10-year high (51.36%).
Table 4. SENTRI Admissions, Membership, and Applications
FY2011-FY2020
Fiscal Year
Admissions
Members
Total
Applications a
Percentage of
Total
Applications
That Were
Renewals
Approval
Rate
FY2011
15,148,514
263,988
127,315
28.1%
91%
FY2012
18,730,877
301,889
97,624
35.0%
92%
FY2013
20,783,758
357,731
103,098
23.9%
93%
FY2014
22,851,684
397,756
92,685
27.6%
95%
FY2015
24,139,732
426,861
91,590
30.6%
95%
FY2016
25,917,515
464,416
136,381
43.3%
96%
FY2017
27,679,842
501,468
145,198
42.6%
96%
FY2018
29,640,114
533,216
154,181
49.7%
96%
FY2019
29,635,495
546,453
165,858
43.8%
97%
FY2020
21,386,479
547,808
123,522
51.4%
95%
Source: CRS correspondence with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in October 2020.
a.
Total applications include initial applications and renewals.
https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/humanitarian-or-significant-public-benefit-parole-for-individuals-outside-theunited-states.
50 8 CFR §235.12(b)(2); CBP, Eligibility, at https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/sentri/eligibility;
CRS correspondence with CBP in December 2020.
51 Furthermore, according to CBP, “SENT RI enrollments on the southern border may ... be limited” due to restrictions
on nonessential travel in light of the pandemic. CBP, “ CBP to Reopen T rusted T raveler Programs Enrollment Centers
September 8,” press release, September 4, 2020, at https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/national-media-release/cbp-reopentrusted-traveler-programs-enrollment-centers-september-8.
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FAST
The Free and Secure Trade (FAST) program, which began in 2002, 52 is a commercial truck
clearance program that provides expedited processing for known, low-risk shipments entering the
United States from Canada and Mexico. FAST lanes allow shipments to be processed more
quickly because they are granted priority CBP inspection processing and are subject to a reduced
number of inspections. 53
FAST lanes process commercial cargo vehicles at 15 land ports of entry. On the U.S.-Canada
border, FAST North lanes are located in Michigan, New York, and Washington. On the U.S.Mexico border, FAST South lanes are located in Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas.
A driver’s FAST membership is valid for five years. Members receive a WHTI-compliant54 RFID
card. 55 FAST North provides full benefits at both borders. If an applicant is approved for FAST
North, he/she does not need to apply for FAST South. However, if an applicant is approved for
FAST South, he/she would still need to apply for FAST North in order to use FAST processing on
the Canadian border.
Eligibility Requirements and Application Process
FAST enrollment is open to truck drivers who are U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents,
Canadian citizens, Canadian lawful permanent residents, and Mexican nationals. Applicants must
be age 18 or older and have a valid driver’s license.
The FAST application fee is $50 for a membership that is valid for five years. Members can apply
for renewal up to one year prior to their membership expiration date. 56
Participation in FAST requires that every link in the supply chain (e.g., manufacturer, carrier,
driver, and importer) be certified under the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) program. 57
To become a member in FAST, applicants must not
provide false or incomplete application information;
52
GAO, Trusted Travelers: Programs Provide Benefits, but Enrollment Processes Could Be Strengthened , GAO-14483, May 2014, p. 5, at https://www.gao.gov/assets/670/663724.pdf.
53 CBP, “Free and Secure T rade (FAST ): Fact Sheet,” at https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/documents/
FAST %20Fact%20Sheet%20-%20FINAL%20%28web%20ready%29.pdf.
54
WHT I is a joint U.S. Department of State and DHS initiative to implement the mandates and recommendations of the
IRT PA (P.L. 108-458). For more information, see CBP, “ Western Hemisphere T ravel Initiative,” at
https://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/western-hemisphere-travel-initiative.
55 RFID is a contactless integrated circuit technology that permits scanners to read data tags quickly and remotely; EZ-
Pass highway toll transponders are a familiar example.
56
CBP, “ How T o Renew Your FAST Membership,” at https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/fast/fastdriver-program/fast-renewal.
57 C-T PAT is a public-private partnership program. One of C-T PAT’s benefits is access to FAST lanes. According to
CBP, “more than 10,000 companies world-wide are certified CT PAT members ... CBP conducts routine on-site visits
to domestic and foreign CT PAT member facilities to evaluate and validate their supply-chain security measures.” CBP,
“ FAST : Free and Secure T rade for Commercial Vehicles,” at https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/
fast. For more information on C-T PAT applications, see CBP, “ Application for Highway Carriers,” at
https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/fast/application-highway-carriers.
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Trusted Traveler Programs
have any previous criminal convictions, pending criminal charges, or outstanding
warrants (this includes driving under the influence);
have any previous customs, immigration, or agriculture violations in any country;
be the subject of an ongoing investigation by any federal, state, or local law
enforcement agency;
be inadmissible to the United States; 58
have any known or suspected terrorist connections; or
fail to meet other requirements of the FAST Commercial Driver Program.
Admissions, Membership, and Application Data
CBP records FAST North and FAST South data separately. Table 5 summarizes annual
admissions, membership, and application data under FAST North for FY2011 through FY2020.
Admissions increased most years from FY2012 through FY2019, and then dropped in FY2020,
likely due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on international travel and trade. 59
Over the past 10 fiscal years, membership in FAST North declined every year except FY2014.
Applications fluctuated over this period, as did renewals (a subset of total applications) in both
raw numbers and as a percentage of total applications. In FY2020, renewals as a percentage of
total applications were at a 10-year high (61.15%). This may be partially due to the fact that from
March 19, 2020, until the cover date of this report, FAST North interviews of new applicants at
enrollment centers have been suspended “due to the temporary restrictions on nonessential travel
at U.S. land borders” related to the COVID-19 pandemic. 60
Table 5. FAST North Admissions, Membership, and Applications
FY2011-FY2020
Fiscal Year
Admissions
Members
Total
Applicationsa
Percentage of
Total Applications
That Were
Renewals
Total
Application
Approval Rate
FY2011
701,722
67,695
12,738
58.3%
89%
FY2012
631,248
65,504
13,262
39.5%
86%
FY2013
647,453
64,577
16,116
40.3%
88%
FY2014
683,491
66,561
12,723
38.2%
84%
FY2015
704,413
62,101
18,504
36.0%
92%
FY2016
720,074
60,830
16,313
53.3%
93%
58 Applicants with approved waivers of inadmissibility or parole documentation are also ineligible. For more
information on waivers of inadmissibility, see USCIS, “ I-601, Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility,”
at https://www.uscis.gov/i-601. For more information in immigration parole, see CRS Report R46570, Immigration
Parole and USCIS, “ Humanitarian or Significant Public Benefit Parole for Individuals Outside the United States,” at
https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/humanitarian-or-significant-public-benefit-parole-for-individuals-outside-theunited-states.
59 For more information, see World T rade Organization, “ COVID-19 and world trade,” at https://www.wto.org/english/
tratop_e/covid19_e/covid19_e.htm.
60 CBP, “ CBP to Reopen T rusted T raveler Programs Enrollment Centers September 8,” press release, September 4,
2020, at https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/national-media-release/cbp-reopen-trusted-traveler-programs-enrollmentcenters-september-8.
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Trusted Traveler Programs
Fiscal Year
Admissions
Members
Total
Applicationsa
Percentage of
Total Applications
That Were
Renewals
Total
Application
Approval Rate
FY2017
722,825
59,736
12,800
46.7%
93%
FY2018
714,824
59,251
11,225
37.2%
91%
FY2019
724,296
57,697
13,163
45.2%
91%
FY2020
654,937
53,016
12,441
61.2%
91%
Source: CRS correspondence with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in October 2020 .
a.
Total applications includes initial applications and renewals.
As Table 6 indicates, there are fewer members of FAST South than FAST North, but FAST South
has more admissions. As mentioned previously, FAST North members can utilize FAST South
lanes, but not vice-versa.
From FY2011 through FY2019, admissions under FAST South rose fairly steadily. They dropped
in FY2020, likely due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on international travel and
trade.
Membership also generally increased over the past 10 years, except for a slight dip in FY2015
(approximately 100 fewer members than in FY2014) and a larger decrease in FY2020 (over 500
fewer members than FY2019). According to CBP, “FAST South enrollments on the southern
border may also be limited” due to restrictions on nonessential travel in light of the COVID-19
pandemic. 61
Total applications increased most years from FY2011 through FY2019 before dropping in
FY2020. Renewals display more variation. In FY2020, renewals as a percentage of total
applications were at a 10-year high (49.39%).
Table 6. FAST South Admissions, Membership, and Applications
FY2011-FY2020
Percentage of
Total
Applications
That Were
Renewals
Fiscal
Year
Admissions
Members
Total
Applications a
Total Application
Approval Rate
FY2011
1,301,907
11,650
2,680
45.0%
92%
FY2012
1,439,117
12,200
2,913
41.0%
91%
FY2013
1,558,404
12,907
3,302
42.7%
90%
FY2014
1,560,288
13,622
3,596
21.9%
80%
FY2015
1,635,713
13,520
4,904
33.5%
94%
FY2016
1,698,471
14,656
4,438
44.7%
95%
FY2017
1,782,097
15,250
4,508
35.4%
94%
FY2018
1,875,461
17,053
4,164
33.1%
96%
FY2019
1,996,198
18,792
5,430
35.1%
94%
61 Ibid.
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Trusted Traveler Programs
Fiscal
Year
Admissions
Members
Total
Applications a
FY2020
1,962,729
18,260
4,033
Percentage of
Total
Applications
That Were
Renewals
Total Application
Approval Rate
49.4%
92%
Source: CRS correspondence with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in October 20 20.
a.
Total applications includes initial applications and renewals.
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Table 7. Trusted Traveler Programs: At a Glance
Program &
PoE Type
TSA
PreCheck
Global Entry
(GE)
Benefits
Eligibility
Program Benefits: Expedited security screening upon
departure from U.S. airports.
Nationality: U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and U.S. lawful
permanent residents (LPRs)
Reciprocal Benefits: None.
Age: There are no age restrictions.
Program Benefits: Expedited clearance upon arrival in the
United States by air at automated GE kiosks.
Nationality: U.S. citizens and LPRs, and citizens of Argentina,
Colombia, Germany, India, the Netherlands, Panama, Singapore,
South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom, and
nationals of Mexico. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
has pilot agreements with Brazil, Israel, Japan, Qatar, and Saudi
Arabia.
Reciprocal Benefits: TSA PreCheck, Ready Lanes,
NEXUS, SENTRI (if vehicle registered)
Cost & Validity
Cost: $85 USD
Validity: 5 years
Cost: $100 USD
Validity: 5 years
Age: Applicants under age 18 must have a parent’s or legal
guardian’s consent.
NEXUS
Program Benefits: Expedited processing when entering
the United States and Canada via NEXUS lanes at land ports
of entry on the U.S.-Canada border and NEXUS kiosks
when entering Canada by air or marine reporting locations.
Reciprocal Benefits: TSA PreCheck, GE, SENTRI, Ready
Lanes
SENTRI
Cost: $50 USD
Validity: 5 years
Age: Applicants under 18 must have a parent’s or legal guardian’s
consent.
Nationality: No citizenship requirements.
Cost: $122.50 USDb
Age: Applicants under age 18 must have a parent’s or legal
guardian’s consent.
Validity: 5 years
Program Benefits: Commercial truck clearance program
that provides expedited processing for shipments entering
the United States from Canada and Mexico.
Nationality: U.S. citizens and LPRs, Canadian citizens, Canadian
lawful permanent residents, and Mexican nationalsa
Cost: $50 USD
Validity: 5 years
Reciprocal Benefits: None. FAST north can use fast south
but not vice-versa.
Other: Must be a truck driver and have a valid driver’s license.
Program Benefits: Expedited clearance at certain land
ports of entry along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Reciprocal Benefits: TSA PreCheck, GE, and NEXUS
lanes at land ports of entry when entering the United States
from Canada
FAST
Nationality: U.S. citizens and LPRs, Canadian citizens and lawful
permanent residents, and Mexican nationalsa who are members of
Mexico’s trusted traveler program, Viajero Confiable.
Age: Applicants must be age 18 or older.
Sources: Transportation Security Administration, “TSA PreCheck® FAQ,” at https://www.tsa.gov/precheck/faq; CBP, “Trusted Traveler Programs,” at
https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs.
CRS-17
Notes:
a. According to Mexican law, individuals can obtain Mexican nationality by birth or naturalization (Capítulo II, Article 30). They become Mexican citizens when they
reach the age of 18 (Capítulo IV, Article 34), as citizenship is linked to the exercise of polit ical rights such as voting (Capítulo IV, Article 35). For more information,
see Constitución Política de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos, at http://www.diputados.gob.mx/LeyesBiblio/pdf_mov/Constitucion_Politica .pdf.
b.
CRS-18
This includes an application fee of $25 per person (or a maximum of $50 for parents and minor children), a fingerprint fee of $14.50 (for a pplicants aged 14 and
older), and a system cost fee of $82.75 per person (or a maximum of $165.50 for parents and minor children). It costs an additional $42 per car to register more
cars, to register oneself to more than one car, or to register a car after submitting the initial application .
Trusted Traveler Programs
Selected Legislative Activity
In recent Congresses, legislative proposals related to trusted traveler programs have promoted
enrollment as a means to increase security. As previously mentioned, the security benefits of
trusted traveler programs are designed to increase with scale because moving more travelers into
expedited lanes speeds overall processing times, and fewer unknown travelers mitigates the
“needle in the haystack” challenge of enforcement at ports of entry. For example, some bills have
sought to expand eligibility to specific populations or automatically enroll specific populations
(e.g., veterans or law enforcement officers). 62 Others have proposed redress for individuals whose
membership may have been revoked erroneously. 63
Some lawmakers have focused on the enrollment process. Proposals have ranged from requiring
online enrollment for PreCheck to standardizing enrollment processes for individuals applying to
multiple trusted traveler programs. 64 Other bills have sought to coordinate the interview and
enrollment process for U.S. visas and Global Entry for eligible foreign nationals. 65
Some bills addressed security by focusing on standards for international partnerships. For
example, bills have outlined certain security and information sharing benchmarks that foreign
nations must meet in order to become or remain a partner country in a trusted traveler program. 66
In line with Congress’ role in appropriations and oversight, bills in recent Congresses have
addressed funding of trusted traveler programs or have requested that the Government
Accountability Office (GAO) review the programs. 67 In addition, Congress has directly executed
its oversight role by holding congressional hearings about trusted traveler programs. Previous
hearings related to the programs have addressed their management and implementation, security
screening operations and technologies, and airport wait times, among other issues.68
62 For example, see S. 2035, S. 1349, and H.R. 3356 from the 116 th Congress.
63 For example, see H.R. 3675 from the 116 th Congress.
64
For example, see S. 4577 and H.R. 7987 from the 116 th Congress.
65 For example, see H.R. 2187 from the 116 th Congress.
66 For example, see H.R. 878 from the 114 th Congress.
67 For example, see S. 643 and H.R. 3675 from the 116 th Congress.
68 See, for example, U.S. Congress, House Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Border Security
Facilitation and Operations, Examining DHS’ Management of Trusted Traveler Programs, hearing, 116 th Cong., 2 nd
sess., September 30, 2020 (Washington, DC); U.S. Congress, House Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee
on T ransportation and Protective Security, Assessing the TSA Checkpoint: The Precheck Program and Airport Wait
Times, hearing, 115 th Cong., 2 nd sess., May 17, 2018 (Washington, DC); U.S. Congress, House Committee on
Homeland Security, Subcommittee on T ransportation Security, Risk-Based Security: Assessing the Path Forward for
TSA PreCheck, hearing, 114 th Cong., 1 st sess., March 25, 2015 (Washington, DC); and U.S. Congress, House
Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on T ransportation Security, A Review of Passenger Screening
Technology at U.S. Airports, hearing, 112 th Cong., 1 st sess., December 8, 2011 (Washington, DC).
Congressional Research Service
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Trusted Traveler Programs
Appendix. Global Entry Enrollment of Partner
Country Citizens
Global Entry (GE) is open to U.S. citizens and U.S. LPRs, as well as citizens of 17 countries: 12
GE official partner countries and 5 countries with pilot agreements. The following table shows
the number of partner and pilot country citizens enrolled in GE from FY2013 through FY2020. 69
This table does not represent the 216,819 U.S. LPRs enrolled in GE as of September 2020 who
hold citizenships from a wide array of nations nor the 6,693,734 U.S. citizens enrolled in
FY2020.
Table A-1. Global Entry Program: Enrollment of Partner
Country Citizens, FY2013-FY2020
Partner
Country
FY
2013
FY
2014
FY
2015
FY
2016
FY
2017
FY
2018
FY
2019
FY
2020
Argentina
—
—
—
—
2,333
3,847
4,501
4,708
Brazila
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
0
Colombia
—
—
—
—
1,041
2,036
2,817
3,024
Germany
1,898
4,570
6,578
9,146
11,399
13,738
14,501
14,060
India
—
—
—
—
121
2,103
6,095
8,532
Israela
—
—
21
179
306
385
455
465
Japan a
—
—
—
—
145
504
1,054
1,247
Mexico
34,574
52,313
74,776
89,000
103,437
111,927
114,960
111,667
Netherlandsb
2,477
3,139
3,607
2,935
2,994
2,847
2,604
2,203
Panama
—
746
1,766
2,662
3,095
3,342
3,505
3,093
Qatara
332
451
614
722
782
715
664
582
Saudi Arabia a
—
3
15
17
17
19
36
28
Singapore
—
—
—
177
1,666
2,703
3,327
3,569
South Korea
653
1,394
1,793
2,384
3,214
3,871
4,178
4,155
Switzerland
—
—
—
—
591
1,324
1,954
2,276
Taiwan
—
—
—
—
—
3,015
4,676
5,058
United
Kingdom
734
1,439
1,488
10,800
22,987
32,058
38,508
40,810
Source: CRS correspondence with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in October 2020.
a.
b.
Countries with pilot agreements.
Enrollment is currently paused as the agreement undergoes periodic review (CRS correspondence with
CBP, October 2020).
69 FY2013 was the first year “data was archived through standardized reporting” (CRS correspondence with CBP,
October 2020).
Congressional Research Service
20
Trusted Traveler Programs
Author Information
Abigail F. Kolker
Analyst in Immigration Policy
Disclaimer
This document was prepared by the Congressional Research Service (CRS). CRS serves as nonpartisan
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Congressional Research Service
R46783 · VERSION 1 · NEW
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