Today, Representatives Sharice Davids and Jasmine Crockett called on U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) to address delays in processing Global Entry applications. In their letter, they highlighted constituent complaints about lengthy wait times and difficulties in securing timely in-person appointments at nearby locations.

Global Entry is a program that provides expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers arriving in the United States. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a surge in international travel, resulting in a significant increase in Global Entry applications. CBP is projected to receive nearly 4 million applications in 2024, about 1 million more than in 2023.

“In addition to the rise in applications, the lack of accessible locations for in-person interviews has also become a reoccurring issue for our constituents. In the state of Kansas, for example, there are currently no Global Entry enrollment centers that process the required interview for clearance in Kansas. To obtain an in-person interview, these constituents are required to travel out of state to surrounding states like Missouri, Iowa, or Nebraska. Even then, the appointments for the Global Entry processing centers in these states yield an average wait time of close to 100 days.”wrote Davids and her colleagues.