CBP Announces Expansion of ‘Model Ports’ Initiative
The United States Customs and Border Protection recently announced the
selection of 18 additional airports - including Detroit Metropolitan Airport
- that will be part of the Model Ports Initiative.
The joint venture between federal agencies, the travel industry, airlines
and airport authorities was designed to improve our processes for clearing
and welcoming travelers into the United States.
“The Model Ports Initiative represents an important partnership between
government and the travel industry. We will work together at each of these
20 gateway airports to strengthen the international passenger arrivals
process and environment,” said Paul Morris, executive director of CBP
admissibility and passenger programs.
The Model Ports Initiative is part of The Rice-Chertoff Initiative
established in 2006 to enhance border security with the use of the best new
technologies, while streamlining security processes and facilitating travel
for legitimate visitors.
“We are all dismayed by the weak U.S. dollar, however, it does provide a
great opportunity for our U.S. travel and tourism business,” said Lester
Robinson, chief executive officer for Detroit Metropolitan Airport.
“International citizens are now viewing the U.S. as a good travel deal and
we should take every opportunity to make their travel experience as friendly
and smooth as possible, while still providing vigilant security. I applaud
this effort by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and I am pleased that
Detroit has been chosen to be included in this initiative.”
The keystone of these efforts is a new video, currently available in
Spanish, French, German and English, that assists travelers through the
customs and immigration process; a “Welcome to the U.S.” brochure; and a
variety of new bi-lingual directional signage.
In the coming months, travelers arriving at these airports will see several
improvements, including an increased number of video monitors, a welcome
message and information on the entry process. In addition, working groups
from the private and public sectors will be established in these cities to
create a better overall passenger experience.
The 18 airports were selected based on the locations with the largest number
of foreign visitors arriving annually. International airports in the
following cities have been selected: New York (JFK), Miami, Los Angeles,
Newark, Chicago (O’Hare), Honolulu, San Francisco, Atlanta, Dallas/Ft.
Worth, Orlando, Detroit, Boston, Las Vegas, Sanford (Fla.), Seattle,
Philadelphia, San Juan and Ft. Lauderdale.
The Model Ports Initiative has been operational since April 2007 with George
Bush Intercontinental in Houston and Washington Dulles International
airports serving as the first two sites.
On an average day, CBP welcomes 1.13 million travelers into the U.S.,
including more than 251,000 air passengers. CBP staffs 327 ports of entry
nationwide, while enforcing over 400 U.S. laws.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the
Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and
protection of our nation’s borders at and between official ports of entry.
CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the
country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.
“If international travelers are treated in a friendly and respectful manner,
they are likely to return as well as tell their friends back home what a
great time they had in the USA,” Robinson said.
