By Karen Robes Meeks
After an extensive facility expansion, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently reopened its Global Entry Enrollment Center at the Port of Long Beach.
The newly revamped center, which allows for expedited clearance of pre-approved, low-risk travelers, will now allow CBP officers the room to conduct 200 appointments daily and expand from two to up to five officers, according to the agency.
“This expansion will significantly reduce appointment wait times for conditionally approved applicants in the Los Angeles area, including the encompassing five counties of Ventura, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside and Orange counties,” said Carlos C. Martel, CBP Director of Field Operations in Los Angeles.
Considered the nation’s first seaport Global Entry Enrollment Center when it opened in March 2014, the center has conducted nearly 44,600 appointments.
The expanded facility allows the CBP to meet the growing demand of Global Entry enrollment. In fiscal year 2016, more than 389,000 travelers used Global Entry kiosks at international airports within the Los Angeles area, according to the agency.
“The new center reflects the LA/Long Beach Seaport commitment in improving the customer service experience as Global Entry continues to attract thousands of new applicants,” said LaFonda Sutton Burke, CBP Port Director of the LA/Long Beach Seaport.
