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  4. CBP Announces Measures to Facilitate Upcoming Thanksgiving Holiday Traffic at the Hidalgo Port of Entry

CBP Announces Measures to Facilitate Upcoming Thanksgiving Holiday Traffic at the Hidalgo Port of Entry

Release Date
Wed, 11/27/2019

HIDALGO, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry encourages travelers to plan ahead, apply for I-94 travel permits online and utilize Ready Lanes as CBP prepares to implement measures to facilitate Thanksgiving holiday traffic.  

“CBP stands ready to welcome and process significant volumes of cross-border traffic for both the Thanksgiving holiday and the Black Friday shopping period” said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry. “We thank the traveling public for being proactive, patient and availing themselves of facilitation measures such as the Ready Lanes and SENTRI Lane, to facilitate the crossing experience.”

A north-facing view of signage at Hidalgo International Bridge
A north facing view of signage and primary
lanes at Hidalgo International Bridge.

The Laredo Field Office strongly encourages travelers to apply for their tourist permits online via https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov Travelers receive a provisional I-94 after submitting their application and payment online. To finalize the I-94 process, travelers must present themselves at a port of entry within seven days of their application to be interviewed by a CBP officer, submit biometric fingerscans and a photo is taken. The Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry will extend front of the line privileges to travelers who submit their I-94 applications electronically and present their provisional I-94 permit receipt.

CBP Field Operations reminds travelers that the Pharr International Bridge will continue its modified services for passenger vehicles, opening 6 a.m.-8 a.m., Monday-Friday and 4 p.m.-midnight on Saturday-Sunday.

CBP also encourages travelers to obtain and utilize radio-frequency identification technology (RFID)-equipped travel documents such as U.S. passport cards and the newer versions (i.e. since 2011) of the border crossing card and resident alien card so that they can utilize Ready Lanes. Processing in Ready Lanes is 20 percent faster than normal lanes and provide a time savings of up to 20 seconds per vehicle. CBP encourages travelers to obtain RFID entry documents to use Ready Lanes and enroll in trusted traveler programs.

Members of the traveling public can monitor Border Wait Times or also obtain the BWT app on their smartphone via Apple App Store and Google Play (CBP BWT) so that they can observe the wait times and make an informed decision on which bridge to use. These wait times are updated on an hourly basis.

Also to avoid any potential delays or fines due to travelers bringing prohibited/restricted agricultural items, CBP encourages travelers to declare all agricultural items to a CBP officer upon arrival and before making their journey to consult the Know Before You Go guide.

Find more information about filing an I-94 electronically.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between official ports of entry. CBP is charged with securing the borders of the United States while enforcing hundreds of laws and facilitating lawful trade and travel.

Last Modified: Mar 04, 2024