Processing Delays Expected to Continue For All Trusted Traveler Program Applications
According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the extended government shutdown earlier this year, as well as the ongoing crisis at the southern border with Mexico, has resulted in a processing backlog of Trusted Traveler Program (TTP) applications and renewals. TTP includes popular programs like Global Entry, Nexus, and the APEC Business Traveler Card (ABTC).
In June 2019, the Trump Administration reassigned CBP agents to the southern border, leaving TTP enrollment centers with fewer resources. Since then, TTP applicants have experienced delays in the processing of their applications, as well as limited availability for enrollment interviews, which is unlikely to be resolved soon.
As a result of the ongoing delays and re-assignment of CBP staff, some enrollments centers have cancelled previously scheduled interviews. For example, earlier this summer CBP closed the Global Entry Enrollment Center at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) indefinitely, and all scheduled interviews after that date were cancelled.
TTP applicants have 365 days to schedule an interview at an enrollment center. Upon receiving conditional approval, CBP is encouraging applicants to use the Enrollment on Arrival (EoA) option as an alternative to pre-scheduled appointments at an enrollment center. Conditionally approved applicants can also try securing an interview on a walk-in basis at participating US international airports.
For more information on Trusted Traveler Programs please join us for an informational webinar on September 17, 2019. For details on the webinar, click here.
Please contact the Global Immigration Team at Mintz for additional questions.