The SENTRI program, or Secure Electronic Network for Travelers’ Rapid Inspection, allows pre-approved, low-risk travelers and vehicles to cross the border Northbound into the United States more rapidly and efficiently. 

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency first implemented the SENTRI program in 1995. Today, more than 90,000 travelers from both sides of the border are registered in the vehicle SENTRI program. 

The system is currently being used at the Otay Mesa, San Ysido, and Calexico border crossings in California and the El Paso (Staton Street Bridge) crossing in Texas.   Participants receive an identification card that allows them to cross the border without routine customs and immigration inquiries. 

Currently, the SENTRI lane hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday from 6 a.m. to midnight, and Sunday from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Requirements for obtaining a SENTRI pass

To obtain a SENTRI pass, applicants must voluntarily undergo a thorough biographical background check against criminal, law enforcement, customs, immigration, and terrorist indices, a 10-fingerprint law enforcement check, and a personal interview with CBP.  Once approved, a SENTRI participant is issued a Radio Frequency Identification Card that will identify their record and status in the CBP database upon arrival at the U.S. port of entry.  The participant simply shows the SENTRI card to the officer. 

Border officials extensively screen applicants.  One criminal conviction, warrant, or customs violation may disqualify an applicant from participation.  Any positive encounters with state, federal and local law enforcement, border agencies, military authorities, etc., would render an applicant inadmissible to the SENTRI program.  There seems to be some discretion in the granting the pass a criminal record has been cleared; so it would be wise to invest in record clearing before applying for a pass.  A modest investment in expungement or record sealing could be the difference between having your request accepted or denied.  In many instances, record clearing can make it where a conviction cannot be seen, and at a minimum, it will show that you have resolved all matters with the court. A SENTRI applicant must not have any penalties, violations, arrests, convictions or pending law enforcement investigations in their backgrounds. In the case of dismissed charges, certified court records will be required before an application will be considered for the SENTRI program. 

The total fee for obtaining a SENTRI pass is $127.00 per person (application fee $25.00, fingerprint fee $22.00, system cost fee $80.00).

To obtain a SENTRI pass complete the following steps listed on CBP’s:

• Log onto the CBP website at www.cbp.gov. 
• Click on the “Travel” tab on the top right side of the screen. 
• Click on the “SENTRI” tab.
• Follow the prompts to enroll as a GOES user. 
• Once you enroll, you will have access to apply to SENTRI. 
• Follow the prompts to complete an online application.   The computer system will check for errors and require corrections to be made.  When all corrections are made, your application will be accepted for review for the CBP. 
• After the application has been reviewed by CBP, you will be able to log back into the system and find a status notification.  If accepted, you can either schedule your interview using the "schedule interview" button or call the nearest enrollment center to schedule a final interview where fingerprints and photographs are taken.

To receive additional help with your SENTRI application, call the CBP Help Desk at 1-800-927-8729. 

Upon approval, you will also be issued a PortPass card and RFID vehicle decals for each vehicle registered in the program.  The card will expire after 5 years. 

Olga Sattarova holds a juris doctor from the University of Utah's S.J. Quinney College of Law.