Global Entry arrives in Atlanta

Published 29 October 2008

U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents who pre-register for the program may use the Global Entry kiosk as an alternative to the regular passport control line

Global Entry enrollment centers are now open at two locations in Atlanta, including Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Global Entry is a new program to allow approved U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents returning to the United States to use the Global Entry kiosk as an alternative to the regular passport control line. At the kiosk, Global Entry members will activate the system by inserting their U.S. passport or lawful permanent resident card into a document reader. The kiosk will direct travelers to provide digital fingerprints and will compare that biometric data with the fingerprints on file.

Global Entry travelers will be prompted to answer declaration related questions on the kiosk’s touch-screen. A transaction receipt will be issued upon completion that must be presented to CBP officers prior to leaving the inspection area. “The addition of Atlanta as a Global Entry site will allow the port to focus more resources on the CBP mission of preventing terrorists and terrorist weapons from entering the U.S., while facilitating the flow of legitimate travel,” said Robert Gomez, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), director of operations in Atlanta. “CBP in Atlanta is pleased to participate in this program.”

The Global Entry pilot program began 6 June at JFK, George Bush Intercontinental in Houston, and Washington Dulles International airports. To date, approximately 4,000 members have already enrolled and more than 1,700 Global Entry members have used kiosks at the three existing pilot locations.