Press Releases 07
SENTRI and FAST Lanes Help Business, Tourism and Security
Statement by Ambassador Antonio O. Garza
Ambassador Garza and other dignataries flag the opening of the FAST lane on the Colombia-Solidarity bridge. |
Mexico City, December 4, 2007 - “Today I was pleased to inaugurate,
together with the Mexican Ambassador to the United States
Arturo Sarukhan, Administrator General Juan Jose Moises Bravo
of the Mexican Customs Agency, Nuevo Leon Governor José Natividad
González Parás, and Thomas Winkowski, Assistant Commissioner
of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, two new lanes to expedite
the travel of pre-cleared people and shipping of goods across
the busy Mexico-U.S. border. These will help expedite tourism
and commerce, the lifeblood of our border region, while enhancing
security for our citizens on both sides.
“On Hidalgo International Bridge in Hidalgo, Texas, we inaugurated
a new Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection
lane, known by the initials SENTRI. This lane is reserved
for the use of pre-cleared low-risk travelers who have registered
with the SENTRI system. Each day, over 1000 people use the
SENTRI lane at Hidalgo International Bridge to visit family
and conduct business.
“The SENTRI system has been in use since 1995, and with the
addition of the Hidalgo International Bridge, there are now
eight border crossings that use it to prescreen travelers,
reduce processing time, and shorten waiting time at border
crossings. Its success is only possible because of a combination
of advanced automated technology and close cooperation between
U.S. and Mexican law enforcement officials.
(Full
text of Ambassador's remarks)
“We also inaugurated the Free and Secure Trade lane, known
as a FAST lane, on the Colombia-Solidarity Bridge between
Nuevo Leon and Laredo/Webb County. The FAST program is a Border
Accord Initiative between the United States, Mexico, and Canada
that ensures security and safety while facilitating trade.
With the inclusion of Laredo, this program is currently used
at seven border crossings between Mexico and the United States.
The FAST lane at Colombia-Solidarity Bridge is the second
FAST lane for Laredo, the largest commercial inland port on
the U.S.-Mexico border.
“Through FAST, Mexico, Canada and the United States have
increased coordination of their processes for clearance of
commercial shipments at the border. Companies wishing to participate
in the program are screened for eligibility and must provide
advance notice of their plans to cross the border. Participating
trucks then have a seamless northbound crossing.
(Full
text of Ambassador's remarks)
“Both the SENTRI program and the FAST lanes are excellent
examples of cross-border cooperation that improves the lives
of people on both sides of the border by minimizing the delays
for individuals and companies to get where they need to go
and to improve businesses and lives.” |
