Laredo CBP personnel prepping for holiday travel

With Holy Week (Semana Santa) soon approaching, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations (OFO) officials said Laredo Field Office (LFO) holiday preparation is continuing.

“Our CBP officers and agriculture specialists are the nation’s frontline of defense against all threats,” David P. Higgerson, director of Field Operations – Laredo Field Office, said. “As they continue to train to respond to incidents at the ports of entry, our priority remains the safety and security of the American people, international travelers and our communities while facilitating legitimate travel and trade.”

The prep work includes participating in operational readiness exercises and the mobilization of resources to ensure the facilitation of lawful trade and travel – noting eight ports of entry extending from Brownsville to Del Rio comprise the Laredo Field Office (LFO). Holy Week is one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

Authorities are encouraging travelers to obtain and utilize radio-frequency identification technology (RFID)-equipped travel documents such as passport cards and the newer versions (since 2011) of the border crossing card and resident alien card in order to 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.