With the holiday rush upon us, U.S. Customs and Border Protection at Laredo Port of Entry is prepping to handle the surge in traffic. Anticipating the influx, they're offering tips to travelers looking to navigate the season's high volume. "As last-minute shopping and holiday travel begins to snowball, CBP Laredo Port of Entry management is planning for elevated volumes of vehicular traffic," said Port Director Albert Flores, highlighting the importance of planning ahead, in a statement obtained by CBP's official release.
To streamline the process, travelers must file for an I-94 travel permit online. The CBP One™ app is designed to quickly to handle these requests, potentially speeding up the inspection and entry process. Once a provisional I-94 is obtained online, travelers have a week to finalize the process in person. As a bonus, those who use the online system will receive front-of-line privileges, another time-saver during this hectic period.
The CBP One™ mobile application is the go-to platform for a range of CBP-related services. It's designed to provide users with guided questions that lead to the necessary services based on individual requirements—the I-94 Entry feature being a prime example. This proactive measure is positioned as a way to cut down on processing times and is accessible through the application after signing in with a login.gov account.
Further facilitating the holiday rush, a collaboration with the Outlet Shoppes at Laredo introduces a Mobile Enrollment Center, open for a limited time to issue I-94 tourist permits. According to CBP's website, the center is available from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. It provides an alternative for travelers to smoothly obtain their necessary documentation without going completely to a port of entry.
Moreover, CBP recommends travelers monitor border wait times through their BWT app, thereby allowing them to make more informed decisions on which bridge to use to reduce wait times. For added flexibility, CBP may also open additional lanes for local traffic at the Juarez Lincoln Bridge on an as-needed basis starting today. As a further caution, travelers are urged to declare all agricultural items upon arrival and to review the Know Before You Go guide to avoid potential delays or fines. These are all part of the measures announced to ensure a smoother entry for travelers this holiday season.
