US Customs and Border Protection Officers Ready to Help Agents

More than 7 million people travelled to the USA via Toronto Pearson International Airport last year and less than 1% were told they couldn’t travel to the United States.

That number was shocking even to this travel writer who thought there would've been a much higher refusal rate. And that was exactly the point of the US Customs and Border Protection Officers who spoke at Discover America’s AGM on Monday afternoon in Toronto - a lot of information out there is just not quite true.

“Our key message is that we are a user-friendly organization,” said Greg Gumbs, U.S. Custom and Border Protection’s branch chief at the Toronto pre-clearance office. “Sure, we’re law enforcement, but we want to engage and generate that community relationship. We’re all employed based on the fact people are travelling. From the curb to the cockpit we’re all on the same page.”

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Getting where you’re going is getting even faster. US requirements have actually gone down. There is less paperwork, more conversation and the future will be biometrics - yes, facial recognition. Testing in the Canadian market recently received approval and will begin soon. The delays currently seen at airports will be vastly reduced; time spent fumbling for passports and itineraries will instead be spent confirming the traveller's face. The Officers estimated that using current, traditional screening methods, 1,000 people can be processed in 45-50 minutes; those same people can be processed in only 22 minutes using facial recognition.

“That is where free trade and travel will get the biggest bang for their buck. We can’t build brick and mortar, we can’t build points of entry, but we can use technology that says John Doe of a Canadian passport is truly John Doe, and that’s all we need to know,” said Lee DeLoatch, Port Director, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Toronto Preclearance.

Part of that process includes ensuring agents and operators help convey the CBP’s message to their clients.

“It is our best avenue to have you be our best advocate. If you can convey the messages that we convey, that means when travelers stand before that CBP officer, their intent’s known. We’ll work with you, we’ll answer your questions you may have. We’ll do outreach with your group in advance of your trip to ensure everyone has the correct documents. We’re a friendly organization, just call us, engage us and be transparent.”

To view the most recent list of travel requirements and processes, click here. For assistance with requirements for group travel planning, contact your local Port Director.