Get Your Approved Travel Document: Attend a San Diego Passport and Passport Card Fair

SAN DIEGO - In an effort to assist all travelers in becoming compliant with the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative and in obtaining approved travel documents for crossing into the U.S. by land and sea ports of entry, U.S. Customs and Border Protection is teaming up with the U.S. Department of State to host a U.S. passport card and passport fair in the San Diego area on Monday, September 28.

Since June 1, U.S. and Canadian citizens have been required to present an approved travel document when entering the United States at a land or sea port of entry. These travel documents include a U.S. passport card, passport, as well as a Trusted Traveler Card (SENTRI, NEXUS or FAST) or an Enhanced Driver's License.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is encouraging travelers who do not already have approved travel documents to take advantage of this convenient opportunity to apply

with the U.S. Department of State for a passport or passport card.

The event will be held:

Monday, September 28, 2009 - 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
South County Career Center
1111 Bay Blvd., Suite E
Chula Vista, CA 91911

Applicants can bring photos, or have them taken onsite for a fee. They also need to bring evidence of U.S. citizenship, a document establishing identity, and a check or money order to pay for application and execution fees. Full details on requirements for applying for a passport or passport card are available at www.travel.state.gov. For more information on the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, visit www. GetYouHome.gov.

CBP encourages individuals to apply for the passport card enabled with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. When read by CBP, an RFID chip embedded in these documents transmits a unique number to a secure database as the traveler’s vehicle approaches the border, enabling CBP officers to verify the traveler’s identity and citizenship more quickly than ever. No personally identifiable information is stored on the chip or transmitted when the RFID chip is read.

Facilitative technologies, such as RFID, provide CBP officers the ability to remain more attentive and vigilant during the inspection process, focusing more time and attention on travelers, with less time spent performing manual data entry queries.

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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 terriost weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws. www.cbp.gov