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  4. Del Rio Port of Entry Makes Preparations in Anticipation of Holy Week Traffic

Del Rio Port of Entry Makes Preparations in Anticipation of Holy Week Traffic

Release Date
Wed, 03/21/2018

LAREDO, Texas – With the rapid approach of Holy Week, one of the busiest travel periods of the year, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Del Rio Port of Entry have implemented a variety of measures to facilitate a smooth, orderly traffic flow, including a designated Ready Lane for Radio Frequency Identification cards (RFID), and a reminder of on-line travel permit application.

“While Holy Week is one of the busiest peak travel periods of the year, CBP at the Port of Del Rio reminds the public that they can facilitate their travel by making use of on-line travel permit applications and by presenting Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) compliant documents during inspection. By using available on-line travel information and travel tips, smart travelers can assist us in keeping wait times down to manageable levels while allowing CBP to retain its ability to carry out its border security mission,” said Port Director Mucia C. Dovalina, Del Rio Port of Entry.

View of Del Rio International Bridge Secondary Inspection Canopy
View of secondary inspection canopy
at Del Rio International Bridge. CBP
is implementing measures to facilitate
an expected surge in Holy Week traffic.

CBP thanks the traveling public for their partnership and encourages continued use of the port’s designated Ready Lane and WHTI-compliant documents through the remainder of the Semana Santa travel season.

“Our management team at the Del Rio Port of Entry continues to innovate and adapt, implementing measures and programs to manage peak travel periods while facilitating lawful trade and travel,” said Director, Field Operations David P. Higgerson, Laredo Field Office. “That coupled with a careful and constant analysis of traffic volumes and deploying organic resources to meet the workload has proven effective in managing these peak traffic flows while carrying out the CBP mission.”

The Del Rio Port of Entry strongly encourages travelers to apply for their tourist permits online via http://i94.cbp.dhs.gov Travelers will now 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. Laredo Field Office ports 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 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. Those who have renewed their entry documents within the last 24 months already have radio frequency identification enabled documents (RFID) and may not know it. 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 vor also obtain the BWT app on their smartphone via Apple App Store and Google Play so that they can observe the wait times and make an informed decision on when to travel. These wait times are updated on an hourly basis.

CBP reminds the public that they may utilize the Amistad Dam Bridge as an alternate route to avoid heavy traffic. The normal business hours for the Amistad Dam crossing are 10:15 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. seven days a week. Amistad Dam has a maximum of two lanes for processing privately owned vehicles. I-94 travel permits are not processed at the Amistad Dam International Crossing.

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.

Last Modified: Mar 04, 2024