National Business Travel Association (NBTA) President & CEO, Kevin Maguire, CCTE, was honored to be part of the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) launch of the Global Entry international registered traveler program today at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston.
 
Global Entry is designed to meet one of NBTA’s major public affairs priorities:  providing frequent low-risk business travelers with a mechanism to speed their processing through U.S. immigration checkpoints. Enrolled participants will be able to confirm their identity via a biometric check at kiosks, rather than waiting in long lines for an interview with a CBP inspector. DHS and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) earlier this year announced a plan for a Global Entry pilot program at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York, George Bush Intercontinental Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).
 
“NBTA congratulates the leadership of the Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Protection for moving quickly and aggressively to make Global Entry a reality. In less than six months since the passage of the law authorizing the program, people have been enrolled and equipment has been deployed,” said Maguire. “We are encouraged that discussions are underway with countries such as the Netherlands, Germany and the United Kingdom regarding opening Global Entry enrollment to their citizens. We urge continued efforts to expand the availability of Global Entry – by launching at more airports and by making it available to citizens of more countries. Global entry is a win for security and for the global business travel community.”