Border-crossing application process streamlined





By Onell R. Soto
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

1:55 p.m. October 30, 2006

SAN YSIDRO – Border officials long criticized for the delays in processing applications for a popular program for frequent crossers announced Monday they have streamlined the application process and moved it online.
They also announced that participation in the SENTRI program has been extended an additional three years, so people who are already in it won't have to reapply until 2009, at the earliest.



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About 70,000 people in the San Diego-Tijuana region take part in the program, which allows participants to use special lanes to cross from Mexico into San Ysidro and Otay Mesa.
Applications used to be processed by hand in an Otay Mesa office, but now that work is being moved to Vermont, where workers will handle applications filed online beginning Wednesday.

“People want immediate service,” said Adele Fasano, who oversees operations of the border crossings between Mexico and California.

Under the old system, people made appointments to submit their application paperwork, then had to go to Otay Mesa three times: to formally hand over the application, for fingerprinting and a background interview, and finally to receive a crossing card and sticker for their vehicles.

The whole process could take up to eight months.

In the new program, applicants will have to fill out forms online, and, if approved, be able to make one visit to Otay Mesa for the background interview, fingerprinting, and to get their crossing card stickers.

Participation in the SENTRI program will be for five years instead of two, but the fee remains the same: $129.

Applicants who already have appointments to submit their paperwork may cancel those appointments and submit their applications online beginning Wednesday.

The application site, which was not operational Monday, is to be at www.cbp.gov. Applications can be found by clicking on Travel, Frequent Traveler Programs and then SENTRI.