EL PASO, Texas -- U.S. Customs and Border Protection is reminding those who are planning to cross the border for the upcoming Christmas holiday season of a variety of steps they can take to ensure a smooth and efficient processing experience upon their arrival to the United States in El Paso and other border ports.

The El Paso port of entry will work to implement the All Lanes Open Initiative during the holiday period as resources allow. CBP staffs all vehicle and pedestrian lanes from 6 a.m. until 10 a.m. weekdays and during historically busy periods on weekends. This effort will be supplemented with the ongoing public-private partnership between CBP and the city of El Paso in which the city identifies and funds periods where additional CBP service is desired. Specific adjustments are at bottom of release.

“CBP managers will monitor traffic and make every effort to keep as many lanes open as long as possible while also addressing the demands of the ongoing border crisis,” said Hector Mancha, CBP Director of Field Operation in El Paso. “During the holiday season our ports are no different than airports, shopping centers and area roadways. It will be busy so expect larger than normal crowds and plan accordingly. Everyone is in a hurry and CBP is working to help move travelers through our area crossings as quickly as possible while still maintaining our priority homeland security mission.”

Members of the traveling public can monitor Border Wait Times online or obtain the CBP BWT app on their smartphone via the Apple App Store or Google Play allowing them to check wait times and make an informed decision on where to cross. These wait times are updated hourly. Travelers can also observe current traffic conditions at the Paso Del Norte, Stanton and Ysleta bridges on the city of El Paso website.

Also to avoid any potential delays or fines due to travelers bringing prohibited/restricted agricultural items, CBP encourages travelers to declare all agricultural items to a CBP officer upon arrival and before making their journey to consult the CBP Know Before You Go guide online. This includes tomatoes and peppers which were recently prohibited from importation from Mexico .

CBP strongly encourages travelers to apply for their tourist permits online . Travelers will receive a provisional I-94 after submitting their application and payment online. To finalize the I-94 process, a traveler must present themselves within seven days of their application and submit biometrics, a photo and be interviewed by a CBP officer.

CBP also encourages travelers to obtain and utilize radio-frequency identification technology equipped travel documents such as U.S. passport cards and the newer versions of the border crossing card and resident alien card so that they can utilize designated and marked 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. Those who have renewed their entry documents within the last 24 months already have RFID and may not know it. CBP encourages travelers to obtain RFID entry documents to use Ready Lanes and enroll in trusted traveler programs.

To speed the border crossing process travelers should prepare before arriving at the inspection booth. Please have crossing documents available for the inspection. Travelers should declare all items acquired abroad to avoid fines and penalties. This would include agricultural products and gifts. It is also best that any Christmas gifts are not wrapped in the event CBP needs to perform a more thorough inspection of the product. In addition, individuals should end cellular phone conversations before arriving at the inspection booth.

Knowing that this is a busy period travelers should build extra time into their trips in the event they cross during periods of exceptionally heavy traffic. This includes SENTRI/Dedicated Commuter Lane (DCL) users.

During periods of heavy travel, border crossers may wish to consider alternative entry routes. Usually wait times are shorter at the Tornillo and Santa Teresa crossings than in El Paso. They should also travel during non-peak hours if their schedule allows.

CBP also suggests the drivers insure that their vehicles are properly maintained and mechanically sound and that occupants avoid riding in areas of vehicles not specifically designed to carry passengers. Failure to follow these steps can expose crossers/passengers to carbon monoxide.

Friday, December 20 th : 0600-1000 All Lanes Open Initiative (ALOI) – PDN, BOTA, YSL



Saturday, December 21 st : 0800 – 1000, additional staffing assigned to PDN pedestrian lanes 1000 - 1400 ALOI – PDN, BOTA, YSL 1400 – 2200, additional staffing assigned to primary lanes at PDN and YSL



Sunday, December 22 nd : 1000-1400 ALOI – PDN, BOTA, YSL 1400 – 2200, additional staffing assigned to primary lanes at PDN and YSL



Monday, December 23 rd : 0600-1000 ALOI – PDN, BOTA, YSL



Tuesday, December 24 th : 0600-1000 ALOI – PDN, BOTA, YSL Ysleta Cargo will close at 1600 hours



Wednesday, December 25 th : BOTA and YSL Cargo are closed



Thursday, December 26 th : 0600-1000 ALOI – PDN, BOTA, YSL



Friday, December 27 th : 0600-1000 ALOI – PDN, BOTA, YSL



Saturday, December 28 th : 1000-1400 ALOI – PDN, BOTA, YSL 1400 – 2000, additional staffing assigned to primary lanes at PDN and YSL



Sunday, December 29 th : 1000-1400 ALOI – PDN, BOTA, YSL 1400 – 2000, additional staffing assigned to primary lanes at PDN and YSL

