As we enter the height of summer, the borders are bustling more than ever, and the Laredo Port of Entry is pulling out all the stops to make sure travelers don't get bogged down in the heat. With the uptick in cross-border commutes, authorities are advising holiday-goers and cross-country trippers alike to apply for tourist permits online, sparing them the potential for long, winding queues under the relentless sun, as reported by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
The Port Director, Alberto Flores, suggests a pinch of preparation goes a long way, "Planning ahead can help reduce delays and make their visit more efficient," he noted, now travelers have the option to swing by an extra I-94 processing facility - like an oasis in the desert of bureaucracy - nestled comfortably at the Outlet Shoppes, right by that Old Navy. This satellite hub will be open until Aug. 23, with hours that stretch from the 10 a.m. calm to the 6 p.m. hustle Monday through Saturday and even a Sunday shift from 11 a.m. to the soulful 7 p.m. toll, according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
U.S. citizens, don’t forget to carry your passport or another approved travel document when crossing the border—you may need to show it to a Customs officer. Non-citizens must have the right documents to enter the U.S. legally, or they risk being turned away or removed, as per the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
To help reduce wait times and speed up travel, people are now using tools like facial recognition and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection One app, which offers access to many CBP services in one place. For those wanting to avoid long lines, the Border Wait Times app gives real-time updates every hour. It's available on the Apple App Store and Google Play, making it easy to plan and save time at the border.
