see also: in March 2006 News Releases:   Customs and Border Protection Seized the Moment at Elementary School   CBP Donates Thousands of Seized Clothing Items and Toys to Those Affected by Hurricane Rita   Cooperative Effort Between CBP Border Patrol and Mexican Police Leads to Narcotic Seizure and Arrests   U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers Thwart Human Smuggling Attempt   Aduanas Y Proteccion Fronteriza Recomiendan Tramitar Con Tiempo Permiso I-94 Durante Semana Santa   U.S. Customs and Border Protection Urges Easter Holiday Travelers to Apply Early for I-94 Documents   Sarita Checkpoint Seizures Net Marijuana and Cocaine ...more on cbp.gov:   News Releases   Press Officers   CBP to Begin Renewing SENTRI Members   Renovaciones de SENTRI únicamente con previa cita a partir del 6 de Marzo

( Renovaciones de SENTRI únicamente con previa cita a partir del 6 de Marzo )

SAN DIEGO— U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials announced today that renewal or application for the popular SENTRI expedited border-crossing program would be by appointment only beginning March 6. This change is being made to reduce delays and provide more efficient service to applicants.

Approximately 25,000 participants in the program are scheduled to have their membership expire and must visit the SENTRI office to renew. “In order to most efficiently meet this high demand and limit wait times, it is necessary to schedule appointments throughout the day,” said Adele Fasano, CBP field operations director in San Diego.

To schedule an appointment, interested persons may call the Otay Mesa enrollment center at (619) 690-7601, -7602 or -7603. Appointments will be scheduled from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day, including weekends. Staffing has been increased to handle this process. Starting Monday, March 6, only applicants with appointments will be accommodated.

SENTRI (Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection) is a southern border passenger/vehicle program that speeds the processing for registered travelers. Currently the program has about 70,000 participants in the San Diego-Tijuana area.

To speed the renewal process, CBP offers the following tips for applicants:

• Bring in original documents plus one copy. No public copying facilities are available at the CBP office.
• Have application filled out and ready in advance of your appointment.
• Have appropriate border crossing documents or be able to show proof of U.S. citizenship such as birth certificate, passport or naturalization certificate.
• Provide evidence of financial solvency such as a recent tax return, paycheck stub, or direct deposit salary statement. If self-employed provide copies of business license and associated business and personal tax returns.
• Show evidence of residency such as rent receipt or mortgage statement and a utility bill.
• Bring driver’s license, vehicle registration and proof of insurance.
• Minors must appear in person for processing, as a picture will be taken. Also, minors must have proof of citizenship or entry document and proof of school attendance, such as a report card or a student identification card.
• All applicants will be fingerprinted as part of this process.

Under the new appointment process the goal is to accommodate applicants in approximately 90 minutes. CBP also urges participants to make their appointments as soon as possible. CBP’s goal is to complete renewal processing by June 21.

If the participant has a current SENTRI pass and only needs to swap the transponder for the new Radio Frequency Identification windshield decal, no appointment is necessary. This process is approximately 15-30 minutes.

For a complete description of the renewal application process or to download the SENTRI application form, see the press releases section on the CBP Web site. ( CBP to Begin Renewing SENTRI Members )

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 the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.