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Save time getting through airport security with Trusted Traveler Programs

When you become a member of a Trusted Traveler Program such as TSA Precheck and Global Entry, you can spend less time in airport security lines and at border crossings.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) manages the Trusted Traveler Programs. These include TSA Precheck and Global Entry . As a pre-approved member, you can use expedited lanes at U.S. airports and when entering the U.S. by land or sea. TSA Precheck is for travelers departing from U.S. airports. Global Entry is for travelers entering the U.S. from international destinations by air, land, or sea. There are also programs for entering the U.S. from Canada and Mexico . 

To apply, you will need to pay a fee and provide documents proving your identity. Depending on the program, you may need to complete an interview. If approved, your program membership will last 5 years.

Apply for a Trusted Traveler Program

LAST UPDATED: December 15, 2023

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Are you traveling or living outside the U.S.? STEP is a free service that sends you emails with updates from the local U.S. embassy or consulate. If there’s an emergency where you are, it helps us contact you with instructions on what to do.

Why join STEP?

  • Get real time updates about health, weather, safety, and security in the country.
  • Plan ahead using information from the local U.S. embassy.
  • Help the embassy or consulate contact you if there’s an emergency like a natural disaster, civil unrest, or a family emergency.

What kind of messages does STEP send? Currently, STEP sends emails only. STEP can send you several types of information:

  • Routine Messages : News and updates about the country you picked.
  • Alerts : Messages about short-term security, terrorism, health, weather, or disaster situations that could impact your travels.
  • Travel Advisories : We re-evaluate the situation in each country every 6-12 months. Advisories include a simple 1-4 rating system, details about specific risks in the country, and clear steps U.S. citizens should take to stay safe.

Join the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)

After you set up your account, you can pick what types of messages you want to get.

Stay in touch during an emergency.  Signing up for STEP helps the U.S. embassy get in touch with you if there’s an emergency. And, if your family or friends in the U.S. can’t reach you with urgent news while you’re traveling, we can use the information in STEP to try and contact you.

Become a Smart Traveler Now!   STEP is an easy first step to being a smart traveler. You should also always research your destination , and consider additional ways to get safety and security information from the U.S. Department of State, like on social media.

Enroll in STEP

Enroll in STEP

Subscribe to get up-to-date safety and security information and help us reach you in an emergency abroad.

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Learn about your destination

Make two copies of all of your travel documents in case of emergency, and leave one with a trusted friend or relative.

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Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP)

Login.gov is for secure sign in only. Your Login.gov account does not affect or have any information about your Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) application, membership, or eligibility. Please do not send Login.gov sensitive data about yourself or identifying membership numbers.

Login.gov can only answer questions about the sign-in process and creating a Login.gov account.

Please contact the Trusted Traveler Programs directly if you have questions regarding:

  • Application status or changes to your application
  • Eligibility
  • Scheduling or changing appointments
  • Or other related concerns

Important notes:

  • Your Known Traveler Number (KTN) will not change when you create a Login.gov account
  • You do not need to pay for TTP again when you create a Login.gov account unless it is time to renew your membership

To access your Trusted Traveler Programs account information, visit https://ttp.cbp.dhs.gov/ .

If you sign in directly from the Login.gov homepage, you will only see your Login.gov account information.

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  • Transportation Security
  • Traveler Redress Inquiry Program

DHS Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (DHS TRIP)

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The Department of Homeland Security Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (DHS TRIP) is a single point of contact for individuals who have had difficulties during travel screenings at transportation hubs such as airports or U.S. borders. These difficulties include:

  • watch list issues
  • screening problems at ports of entry
  • situations where travelers believe they have been unfairly or incorrectly delayed, denied boarding or identified for additional screening at our nation’s transportation hubs

UPDATE: In October 2023, DHS TRIP launched a new multilingual support tool for the Spanish-speaking community. Travelers may now view the application and resources in Spanish by toggling their preferred language at the top of the website. Accessibility in other languages is planned for future updates.

Travel Redress Inquiry Program

Apply for redress, check the status of an existing inquiry, or find your redress control number.

Login to DHS TRIP Portal

DHS TRIP Portal is using Login.gov to allow you to sign in to your account safely and securely.

Contact DHS TRIP

Contact DHS TRIP by e-mail or postal mail.

Step 1: Should I Use DHS TRIP?

People who have been denied or delayed airline boarding; have been denied or delayed entry into or exit from the U.S. at a port of entry or border crossing; or have been repeatedly referred to additional (secondary) screening can file an inquiry to seek redress.

Step 1: Should I Use DHS TRIP? →

Step 2: How to Use DHS TRIP

The DHS TRIP Portal allows redress applicants and/or their authorized representative to submit their application online via the computer or mobile phone. The application process takes a few moments to complete and can be saved and returned to at a later date.

Step 2: How to Use DHS TRIP →

Step 3: Tracking Your Inquiry

If you want to review the status of your inquiry, please login to the DHS TRIP Portal and visit the status page. The status page will tell you if your case is in process, has been completed, or requires more information.

Step 3: Tracking Your Inquiry →

Redress Control Numbers

When you submit your DHS TRIP Traveler Inquiry Form, the DHS TRIP system automatically assigns you a unique seven-digit identifier, Redress Control Number. You will be able to use this number to track the status of your inquiry. After your inquiry is completed, you will also be able to use the number when you make an airline reservation.

Redress Control Numbers →

More About Traveler Screening

  • Global Entry  (CBP)
  • Secure Flight Program  (TSA)
  • Terrorist Screening Center  (FBI)
  • Canadian Citizens  (CBP)
  • Canadian Citizens  (USCIS) or
  • Non-Canadians  (State Department)

Domestic Travelers (TSA TRIP)

International travelers (cbp trip).

  • Preventing Terrorism and Targeted Violence
  • Aviation Security
  • Patron Screening
  • Personnel Screening
  • Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (TRIP)

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Welcome, guest!

Your time is valuable. Take this short quiz to find out if the Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (TRIP) is right for you. If not, we'll point you to the right place. 

DHS TRIP is not designed to address travel issue related to:

  • discrimination
  • lost/damaged items or personal injury
  • assistance during screening for travelers with disabilities, medical conditions, and other circumstances

Does any of the above apply to you?

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TSA is prepared for a busy spring break travel season, expects travel volumes at nearly 6% above 2023

WASHINGTON – As spring break travelers prepare for their vacation getaways, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is up for the challenge and is offering practical tips to help them plan for a smooth journey as they go through the security checkpoint and take to the skies. The busy peak spring break travel season begins around March 7 and continues through March 25.

“TSA screened a record number of passengers in 2023, and we expect that trend to continue this year,” said TSA Administrator David Pekoske. “So far in 2024, travel volumes are trending at nearly 6% above the same period in 2023. We always work closely with our airline and airport partners to plan for and meet the increasing travel demand while doing our best to maintain our wait times of 30 minutes or less in standard lanes and 10 minutes or less in TSA PreCheck ® lanes.”

TSA knows travelers put a lot of time and effort into planning the perfect spring break getaway, so we are providing the following tips and tricks to help make sure your special trip gets off to a great start:

Pack smart and remember the 3-1-1 rule. Make sure to start with an empty bag to avoid packing any prohibited items. If you’re heading to the beach, you may wonder how to pack your sunscreen. Any liquids, sunscreen containers and alcohol over 3.4 ounces must be packed in a checked bag. Liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes are allowed in carry-on bags as long as each item is 3.4 ounces or less and placed in one quart-sized bag. Each passenger is limited to one quart-size bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes.

Unloaded firearms must be packed in a locked, hard-sided case in checked baggage only and must be declared to the airline. Travelers who bring firearms or other weapons to the security checkpoint face consequences . To avoid delays, passengers should search TSA’s “ What Can I Bring? ” webpage.

Be checkpoint ready and bring a valid ID. Arrive at the checkpoint with a mobile or printed boarding pass and readily available valid ID . Listen closely to and follow instructions from TSA officers for guidance through the screening process. At many checkpoints, you may be asked to insert your physical ID into one of our Credential Authentication Technology (CAT) units, where a boarding pass is not needed. Nearly 30 airports have a second generation of CAT, called CAT-2, which adds a camera with optional facial recognition technology and smartphone reader. This technology better detects fraudulent IDs. Passengers who do not want their photos taken may ask the TSA officer for a manual ID check without losing their place in line. For more information on how TSA is using facial recognition technology, see our TSA Facial Recognition Technology Fact Sheet . Starting May 7, 2025, every air traveler 18 years of age and older must have a REAL ID -compliant driver’s license or another acceptable form of ID to fly within the United States. 2024 is a good time to get your REAL ID. Contact your state DMV for more information.

Enroll in TSA PreCheck ® . Enjoy the benefits of faster checkpoint screening with a TSA PreCheck membership. Traveling with kids? Teenagers aged 17 and under may accompany TSA PreCheck-enrolled parents or guardians through TSA PreCheck screening lanes when traveling on the same reservation and when the TSA PreCheck indicator appears on the teen’s boarding pass. Children 12 and under may still accompany an enrolled parent or guardian through the TSA PreCheck lanes any time, without restriction. Most new enrollees receive a Known Traveler Number (KTN) within five days, and membership lasts for five years. TSA PreCheck starts at $78 for a five-year membership. That’s about $15.60 per year. Online renewals are $70. Don’t delay. Enroll in TSA PreCheck today.

Arrive early and please be patient. Spring break travelers should give themselves plenty of time to account for traffic, parking, rental car returns, airline check-in, security screening and making any airport purchases before boarding a flight. The airport environment can be stressful. Remain patient, and remember everyone around you is also on their own journey. Passengers who engage in unruly behavior at the checkpoint, the gate area or inflight may face substantial penalties and possible prosecution on criminal charges.

Call ahead to request passenger support. Travelers or families of passengers with disabilities and/or medical conditions may call the TSA Cares helpline toll-free at 855-787-2227 with any questions about screening procedures and to find out what to expect at the security checkpoint. If you call at least 72 hours prior to travel, TSA Cares also arranges assistance at the checkpoint for travelers with specific needs. For more information, visit the TSA Cares website .

Ask TSA before you travel. Contact TSA over social media by sending a message to @AskTSA on X or Facebook Messenger. Passengers may also send a text directly to 275-872 (“AskTSA”) on any mobile device. An automated virtual assistant is available 24/7 to answer commonly asked questions, and AskTSA staff are available 365 days a year from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET for more complicated questions. Travelers may also reach the TSA Contact Center at 866-289-9673 from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET on weekends/holidays. An automated service is available 24/7.

TSA encourages all passengers to remain vigilant. If You See Something. Say Something ® . Those traveling abroad for spring break should check the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Know Before You Go page to learn about required documentation.

For more information on airport security screening, visit tsa.gov .

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Students: Prepare for Spring Break Travel with These Tips

Man at airport departures

As an international student in the United States, you may be able to travel during your time of study. If you’re planning to travel outside of the country for spring break, make sure you take the appropriate steps before you travel to help ensure a smooth and enjoyable travel process.

Before You Travel:

  • Meet with your designated school official (DSO) before your trip. When meeting with your DSO, ensure that your record in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is up to date and in Active status.
  • Make sure you have your DSO’s current contact information, including a daytime phone number and an emergency phone number.
  • Check that everything you packed is allowed  through Transportation Security Administration security.
  • Make sure to pack your passport, student visa, and Form I-20, “Certification of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Status.”

Upon Returning:

  • When returning to the United States, be sure to keep your passport, student visa, and Form I-20 in your carry-on bag and not in your checked luggage. When you arrive at a U.S. port of entry, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer will meet with you for inspections and may ask you for these documents.
  • The CBP officer could issue you a Form I-515A, “Notice to Student of Exchange Visitor,” which allows you to enter the United States for up to 30 days while you obtain and submit the required documentation to the Student Exchange and Visitor Program (SEVP).
  • Notify your DSO right away if you receive a Form I-515A. If you do not respond to a Form I-515A within 30 days, it could negatively affect your F or M status and you may be required to leave the United States.

For case-specific questions regarding travel, talk to your DSO or call the SEVP Response Center .

Other Resources:

  • Travel Resource page on Study in the States
  • Travel FAQ page on ICE.gov

Related Tags: Travel

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dhs travel program

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The Quiet Enforcers

A Special Operation inspecting cargo at port of International Falls, Minnesota rail yard.

Fines, Penalties, and Forfeitures Officer DeAnn O’Hara, second from right, inspects cargo with other CBP Field Operations colleagues to find prohibited items and counterfeit goods during a special rail operation on the northern border in International Falls, Minn. Although little-known, CBP’s Fines, Penalties, and Forfeitures Division works behind the scenes on nearly every enforcement action that CBP and its sister agency, HSI, takes. Photo by Charles Csavossy

The shipments of lighting fixtures were like other cargo transiting by rail from Canada into the United States. The merchandise was manufactured in China, shipped to a port in British Columbia, and entered the U.S. at International Falls, Minnesota, the busiest rail port in the country with over 622,000 sea containers processed each year. There, U.S Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers inspected the shipments and determined that the lighting fixtures, imported by a U.S. home design company, bore counterfeit Underwriters Laboratories’ certification marks, and were deemed to be unsafe. The officers seized over 7,800 lighting fixtures from two shipments and handed them over to CBP’s Fines, Penalties, and Forfeitures Division to complete the enforcement action. 

“Aside from seizing and destroying the fixtures, we fined this company,” said DeAnn O’Hara, CBP’s Fines, Penalties, and Forfeitures Officer for the area port of Pembina, North Dakota. “We issued a penalty of $50,000 on each of the shipments.”

DeAnn O’Hara inspecting a shipping label with an import specialist and CBP officer.

“When U.S. consumers purchase a lighting fixture with a UL trademark on it, they are under the impression that the lighting fixture has been tested for safety. When Chinese manufacturers fraudulently place a UL trademark on untested fixtures, they are tricking consumers into buying a product that may not be safe and could start a fire in their homes. At CBP, we take the safety of the American public very seriously. That’s why we work so hard to remove unsafe products from the U.S. commerce before they can ever reach consumers.”

Outside of the trade realm, few know much, if anything, about U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Fines, Penalties, and Forfeitures Division, also known as FP&F. Yet this powerful entity that writes policy for legal violations holds sway behind the scenes of nearly every enforcement action taken by CBP and its sister agency, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Every seizure that a port of entry makes is adjudicated by FP&F. The same is true for cases that involve penalties or liquidated damages, which are issued when contracts are breached. FP&F also adjudicates seizures made by HSI. In doing so, the agencies work with the same guidelines to make sure they are properly forfeiting and disposing assets.

Housed within CBP’s Office of Field Operations, FP&F supports enforcement actions made by CBP and HSI. The division is responsible for the back-end work that protects the government’s revenue as well as the storage and destruction of narcotics and other potentially harmful illicit goods. But FP&F also has an obligation to provide the public due process. After goods are seized or a violation is found, the FP&F team comprised of 519 FP&F officers, paralegals, seized property specialists, and technicians nationwide, follows a strict process with timeframes to ensure that enforcement actions are fair to the public.

Jacqueline Castillo and Reggie Rankin examining packages of methadone at L.A.-Long Beach high-risk permanent vault.

The work of FP&F dates to 1789 with the creation of the U.S. Customs Service, one of CBP’s legacy agencies. “At that time, there were no seized property specialists; customs collectors took care of seized property,” said Lisa Santana Fox, the Director of CBP’s Fines, Penalties, and Forfeitures Division. “Over time, the discipline developed because frontline officers needed to do their primary mission of stopping dangerous people and things from entering the country.”

Lawful seizures

FP&F’s involvement is triggered the moment an item is seized. “More than 50% of our cases are seizures,” said Reggie Rankin, the Fines, Penalties, and Forfeitures Officer for CBP’s Los Angeles Field Office. “When property is seized, the first thing that FP&F does is a legal sufficiency review. Our paralegals make sure that the property was taken legally. They look at the violations of law and make sure that they are accurate. FP&F’s job, at this stage, is to make sure that this is a legally sound and sufficient case. We don’t want the government taking property unlawfully.”

“After a legal sufficiency review, we do what’s called the forfeiture process,” said Rankin. “Depending on the type of property, it will go through a series of steps in which a paralegal specialist notifies parties of interest that their property was taken by the federal government.” The notice will explain the violation and the violator’s rights and options. Typically, the violator has 60 days to respond. Violators can abandon the goods, ask for an administrative review, or request a judicial forfeiture, which then goes to court.

Tracey Marquez and Craig Richmond at the port of Savannah examining a stolen vehicle’s vin number

As part of the administrative review, violators can file a petition. “Those petitions are reviewed by our paralegals who decide on the response. ‘Do we mitigate it? Do we give the property back? What are we going to do?’ And then there is an opportunity for violators to submit a supplemental petition. That petition comes to headquarters for review,” said Santana Fox. “So, there is a second layer of review before we forfeit someone’s property.”

The time range of reviews depends on the type of case. “Drug cases move very fast because illegal narcotics are prohibited. We want them out of our vaults as quickly as possible, typically within 30 days,” said Santana Fox. “Intellectual property rights cases can take longer. We try to adjudicate them within 90 to 180 days, but it depends on the complexity of the case. Fraud cases, where we issue a penalty, can take up to 20 years.”

“When officers and agents find violative goods, depending on what the goods are, we handle them differently,” said Santana Fox. “Drugs, firearms, and currency are considered high-risk property and we maintain custody of those items at all times. They go into a permanent seizure vault that is operated by CBP and we maintain control of them until disposal. DEA Schedule I and II drugs that have a high potential for abuse such as heroin, LSD, fentanyl, cocaine, and other illegal narcotics are automatically forfeited, which means the ownership is transferred to the government and they are destroyed as quickly as possible.”  

Drug destruction

At the area ports in Los Angeles, illegal narcotics are set up for immediate destruction. “Every month we’re looking at thousands of pounds of hard and soft narcotics that go straight to the incinerator and get burned with the trash,” said Rankin “We have a very detailed-oriented process, which involves at least 25 armed officers and special teams.”

Christopher La Tourette examining stolen Ukrainian swords seized in a shipment at JFK Airport.

Approximately 65,000 pounds of narcotics are seized and destroyed at the Los Angeles area ports during an average fiscal year. “In July alone, we destroyed 8,500 pounds of fentanyl and precursor chemicals that were seized at Los Angeles International Airport," said Jacqueline Castillo, Chief Seized Property Specialist at CBP’s Los Angeles Field Office. Precursor chemicals are the ingredients used to create fentanyl and other narcotics.

“We’re dealing with a lot of dangerous things that could harm the American public and we’re trying to make sure they remain off the streets,” said Castillo. This includes weapons, ammunition, toys made with lead paint and Botox that hasn’t been certified by the FDA. “These types of injections could end up in someone’s backyard clinic and harm someone. So, it’s an immense responsibility and we need to check every detail to make sure a case is solid.”

Castillo also oversees the storage of seized property at CBP’s Los Angeles centralized storage facility, a repository for seized goods from 13 states west of the Mississippi. Everything from counterfeit sneakers and perfume to refrigerators made with noncompliant parts to tires that have not been certified by the U.S. Department of Transportation are stored there. “The fair market value of the property in the warehouse is currently over $869 million,” said Castillo. CBP has three other centralized storage facilities in Texas, Florida and New Jersey. The New Jersey warehouse holds the lion’s share, 56% of the nation’s seized property from 15 states.

FP&F also plays a critical role with stolen property. At the Port of Savannah, the fourth largest U.S. seaport, smuggling stolen vehicles is on the rise. “The vehicles are packed in containers to ship overseas,” said Tracey Marquez, CBP’s Fines, Penalties, and Forfeitures Officer at the Port of Savannah. “Our outbound team linked the stolen cars to an organized crime network that has been operating up and down the East Coast,” sending the cars to Ghana, Liberia, Lagos and other African countries. “They tried to disguise the thefts by involving family members for signatures on the export documentation.”

“When our officers seize stolen vehicles, FP&F works with the local Georgia Port Authority to return them to their rightful owners,” said Marquez. FP&F also does the legwork on vehicles with altered vin numbers, fraudulent titles, and cars that are used to smuggle weapons and ammunition out of the country. “When officers suspect that vin numbers, the number used to identify a car, have been manipulated or changed and there’s falsification in the documentation, they pass it over to FP&F to do further research and make a determination,” Marquez explained.

A stolen Ukrainian sword seized at JFK Airport.

“We send out a notice of seizure to anyone who might have an interest in the vehicle. At that time, they are allowed to provide us with paperwork of why they feel the vehicle should be returned. We review that information and determine if the vehicle can be returned or if it’s going to be forfeited to the government and sold at auction. We also work with HSI to seize vehicles that are traceable to an illegal activity such as money laundering.”

Returning stolen treasures

FP&F is instrumental in returning stolen cultural property too. “In the last 10 years, CBP has seen an uptick in the smuggling of cultural artifacts,” said Christopher La Tourette, the Fines, Penalties, and Forfeitures Officer for CBP’s New York Field Office. “FP&F is the critical link in the repatriation process. Without the transference of ownership to the United States government, we’re not able to give these artifacts back to anyone.”

Over the last several years, FP&F has made it possible for the U.S. government to return all kinds of stolen objects to their rightful owners, including a Picasso painting; a 3,500-year-old Gilgamesh tablet, which is one of the oldest surviving works of literature; coins from the Ottoman Empire; Egyptian sarcophagi; dinosaur fossils from Mongolia; and Saddam Hussein’s ivory pistol.

Many of the smuggled artifacts are found in shipments flagged by CBP’s National Targeting Center in Northern Virginia. The National Targeting Center gathers and vets intelligence on global trade activity to prevent the illegal entry of contraband in the U.S. Case in point was a shipment from Russia that arrived in September 2022 at the international mail facility located at John F. Kennedy International Airport. “The shipper was a known antiquities smuggler,” said La Tourette.

The parcel contained several boxes taped together. One of them was a Sylvania light bulb box that was manifested as a barbecue set.  But when the officers looked inside, they found three ancient swords and an axe head. “We worked with subject matter experts who determined that they were looted from Ukraine,” said La Tourette. “Based on how the swords were carved and styled, the experts believed they were Cuman iron swords, dating back to the 11th to 13th centuries. The Neolithic European flint axe head is believed to be from 3500 to 200 B.C.”

The forfeiture process was quick. “We were able to repatriate the items within a year,” said La Tourette. A formal event was held last March at the Ukrainian embassy in Washington, D.C. “This was great news for the people of Ukraine. During a time of tremendous turmoil, the U.S. was trying to make sure that they could preserve their cultural heritage and have historical treasures that rightfully belong to their country.”

Repatriated Yemen artifacts that will be on exhibit at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Gallery of Asian Art.

An inscribed bronze bowl, folios from early Qurans and funerary stelae, shown above, are some of the 77 stolen treasures that the U.S. government repatriated to Yemen in February 2023. Because of an ongoing civil war, the looted artifacts are now temporarily in the care of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Asian Art. Since January 2024, some of the pieces are on display in an exhibit that highlights the role of looting and international illegal trade of antiquities. CBP’s Fines, Penalties, and Forfeitures team safeguarded and cared for the objects for more than a decade while completing the forfeiture process. Photo courtesy of National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution. Photo by Robert Harrell

Another suspicious shipment manifested as books arrived at a JFK express courier facility in November 2021 from Spain. “The shipment was targeted because the importer was known for importing illegal books,” said Supervisory CBP Officer Francisco Ramos, who manages CBP’s Trade Intelligence Enforcement Response Team at JFK Airport.

The officers opened the package and found a box filled with books and pamphlets, along with two other books wrapped in newspaper. “When we examined the two books, we saw that they were old,” said Ramos. An academic expert in rare books was consulted. He authenticated the books, confirming that they were from the 16th century, and they were seized. That’s when FP&F was brought in. “We make arrangements with them, especially for artifacts like these, to go to a special storage area. We have to make sure that these items are stored properly, where they won’t get damaged. They need to have the proper temperature, moisture, etc., and FP&F takes care of that for us. After that, FP&F does the process of trying to get the articles back to their countries,” said Ramos.

“FP&F is not very well-known, but they are instrumental in everything that we do. Everybody knows that we seize items, but nobody really knows what happens after we seize them,” said Ramos. “Without FP&F, none of this property would make it back to its original country.”

The books were appraised and identified as rare. One was a Spanish arithmetic book written in 1515 by Juan Andres, a priest and mathematician. “The book is unique because it was dedicated to the Bishop of Barcelona at that time,” said Ramos. The second book was written by a Dutch philosopher, Desiderius Erasmus, in 1524. “This book was part of a private collection and somehow it disappeared. The book is valuable because it is potentially an unknown fourth copy. There are only three known copies in the world. Both books haven’t been repatriated yet. FP&F is still working on the forfeiture process.”

Yemen success story

FP&F also works closely with HSI on repatriating artifacts. “HSI is the investigative arm of our cultural property repatriation cases,” said La Tourette. “When we became the Department of Homeland Security, in 2003, CBP retained forfeiture authority, so we work hand-in-hand with HSI every step of the way to make sure that the transfer of ownership and the repatriation are done properly.”

A recent example of the agencies’ success happened in February 2023, when 77 stolen artifacts were repatriated to the Republic of Yemen. It was the first time in almost 20 years that the U.S. government returned cultural property to Yemen. The objects included a bronze bowl, 11 folios from early Qurans and 65 funerary stelae, stone carved faces, dating back to the second half of the first millennium B.C.

The Yemeni artifacts were smuggled into the U.S. by Mousa Khouli, a Brooklyn art dealer, and seized more than a decade ago. FP&F kept the objects safe in storage. Khouli pleaded guilty in 2012. “We could not do what we do when it comes to artifacts without FP&F,” said Robert Mancene, a Special Agent in HSI’s New York Cultural Property, Art and Antiquities Unit. “They support us behind the scenes and that makes them very integral to our success.”

“The forfeiture and repatriation process can be slow, particularly in this instance because of the civil war in Yemen that began in 2014,” said Mancene. “Because of the instability in the country, the pieces were not shipped back to Yemen and an agreement with the Smithsonian was born.”

In January 2023, the Yemeni Embassy approached Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art and asked if the museum would be able to temporarily house the objects to keep them safe. A two-year custodial agreement was announced last February with an option to renew at the Yemeni government’s request. Since that time, three more stolen artifacts were added to the museum’s care and two more custodial agreements were signed. “We’re now looking after 80 objects until it’s safe to return them to Yemen,” said Chase Robinson, the Director of the National Museum of Asian Art. “The agreements are unprecedented.”

FP&F transported the artifacts from New York City to Washington, D.C., for the repatriation. “The objects had been well cared for. They very much appeared to be in the same state in which they were seized, and so we are terribly grateful,” said Robinson.

Lisa Santana Fox and Clarence Catchings talking in RRB atrium.

The public is able to see some of the objects on display at the Smithsonian. Pieces were added to a collection that was already on exhibit, “Ancient Yemen: Incense, Art, and Trade.” “We are highlighting the role of looting and international illegal trade of antiquities,” said Robinson. “It’s not traditional museum practice to delve deeply into what is called the provenance of objects. One typically does not find the story of how the objects came to the museum. But this is an opportunity to tell how these Yemeni objects exemplify what is an ongoing, global problem of illegal trade and the effective work that Homeland Security is doing.”

Touchpoint for law enforcement

FP&F has touchpoints to nearly every aspect of CBP as well as other law enforcement agencies. “We work with HSI, FDA, EPA, and others in addition to all of the components of CBP. We’re involved with them daily because we enforce laws on their behalf,” said Santana Fox.

“Our relationship with FP&F is collaborative,” said U.S. Border Patrol Supervisory Assistant Chief Clarence Catchings, the Border Patrol’s National Asset Forfeiture Officer. “We do policy development together, we manage facilities together, we develop curriculums together, and our professionals attend the same academies and trainings.”

But that wasn’t always the case. “When the Border Patrol became part of the newly formed CBP in 2003, we had our own authority to process forfeitures from the Department of Justice. Our organizations operated separately for a number of years,” said Catchings. “We started to work on joint programs because there are finite resources. But the collaboration is more than just the saving of dollars and cents. The consistency between our programs gives the public greater confidence that we are applying laws the right way.”

The partnership between FP&F and HSI is also strong. “Without all of us working together to combat criminal organizations that are trying to circumvent U.S. laws, we wouldn’t be able to catch bad actors and we wouldn’t be as effective in protecting the United States,” said Jennifer Holman, Acting Chief of HSI’s Asset Forfeiture Unit.

But keeping up with the workflow is challenging. “Fifty years ago, goods typically came in by vessel and there was some air cargo. Fast forward to today: What used to be a container that held one shipment going to one importer with one type of good is now loaded with 10,000 packages, labeled for 10,000 people, carrying 10,000 different types of merchandise. The more violative goods we seize, the more back-end enforcement work FP&F needs to do, and our resources are limited,” said Santana Fox.

Nonetheless, the job is rewarding. “For me, the work is fascinating," said La Tourette. “On any given day, I could be working on an artifact that I didn’t even know existed, or an item that was looted from a country in war conflict, or precursor chemicals that may be coming into the country to produce fentanyl, or I could be working on a major money laundering case. The sky’s the limit on what we see here, and the impact is real. Every day I see our impact on the community and how we are making the world a little bit of a safer place.”

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  1. Official Trusted Traveler Program Website

    The Trusted Traveler Programs (Global Entry, TSA PreCheck ®, SENTRI, NEXUS, and FAST) are risk-based programs to facilitate the entry of pre-approved travelers. All applicants are vetted to ensure that they meet the qualifications for the program to which they are applying. Receiving a "Best Match" or program recommendation based on ...

  2. Official Trusted Traveler Program Website

    This is the official U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) website where international travelers can apply for Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) to expedite admittance into the United States (for pre-approved, low-risk travelers).

  3. Official Trusted Traveler Program Website

    The Trusted Traveler Programs (Global Entry, TSA PreCheck ®, SENTRI, NEXUS, and FAST) are risk-based programs to facilitate the entry of pre-approved travelers.All applicants are vetted to ensure that they meet the qualifications for the program to which they are applying. Receiving a "Best Match" or program recommendation based on eligibility or travel habits does not guarantee acceptance ...

  4. Trusted Traveler Programs

    Trusted Traveler Programs. Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) provide modified screening for preapproved members. The programs improve security by being more efficient during screenings, and facilitate legitimate trade and travel at ports of entry. They allow members to use expedited lanes at the U.S. airports, and when crossing international borders.

  5. Trusted Traveler Programs

    Whatever your travel needs, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) can help move you through the line at the airport or port of entry. These programs provide modified screening for pre-approved members, improve security by being more efficient during screenings, and facilitate legitimate trade and travel.

  6. Save time getting through airport security with Trusted Traveler

    The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) manages the Trusted Traveler Programs. These include TSA Precheck and Global Entry. As a pre-approved member, you can use expedited lanes at U.S. airports and when entering the U.S. by land or sea. TSA Precheck is for travelers departing from U.S. airports. Global Entry is for travelers entering the U.S ...

  7. For Travelers

    For Travelers. Apply for a U.S. passport, check wait times, information on crossing U.S. borders, file a travel complaint (DHS TRIP), find overseas travel alerts, join frequent traveler programs, learn what you can bring on a plane, locate a port of entry (air, land, or sea), travel overseas, and visit the United States.

  8. How to Apply for SENTRI

    Before you apply, make sure you are eligible for SENTRI. It's easy. Just follow these steps: Create a Trusted Traveler Program (TTP) System account. Regardless of your age, you must have your own TTP account. Log in to your TTP account and complete the application. A non-refundable fee is required with each completed application.

  9. Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)

    Travel Advisories: We re-evaluate the situation in each country every 6-12 months. Advisories include a simple 1-4 rating system, details about specific risks in the country, and clear steps U.S. citizens should take to stay safe. Join the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) After you set up your account, you can pick what types of ...

  10. Official Trusted Traveler Program Website

    Are you interested in joining a Trusted Traveler Program (TTP) that allows you to enjoy expedited screening and clearance at U.S. airports and borders? If so, you can use this webpage to select the program that best suits your travel needs and preferences, and apply online through the official TTP website.

  11. Global Entry

    Apply Now! Trusted Traveler Program Enrollment Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. Members enter the United States by accessing the Global Entry processing technology at selected airports.

  12. Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP)

    To access your Trusted Traveler Programs account information, visit https://ttp.cbp.dhs.gov/. If you sign in directly from the Login.gov homepage, you will only see your Login.gov account information. Back to top. Search Search. Get started with Login.gov Overview

  13. Official Trusted Traveler Program Website

    Official Trusted Traveler Program Website | Department of Homeland Security. This is the official U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) website where international travelers can apply for Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) to expedite admittance into the United States (for pre-approved, low-risk travelers).

  14. Frequently Asked Questions

    DHS TRIP cannot guarantee your travel will be delay-free. Additional screening may occur due to issues outside the redress process. ... (RCN) is a 7-digit number that allows the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (DHS TRIP) to identify your redress application status. It is also useful when making ...

  15. Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (DHS TRIP)

    The Department of Homeland Security Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (DHS TRIP) is a single point of contact for individuals who have had difficulties during travel screenings at transportation hubs such as airports or U.S. borders. These difficulties include: watch list issues. screening problems at ports of entry.

  16. DHS TRIP Home

    Your time is valuable. Take this short quiz to find out if the Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (TRIP) is right for you. If not, we'll point you to the right place. DHS TRIP is not designed to address travel issue related to: discrimination. lost/damaged items or personal injury. assistance during screening for travelers with disabilities ...

  17. TSA is prepared for a busy spring break travel season, expects travel

    The busy peak spring break travel season begins around March 7 and continues through March 25. "TSA screened a record number of passengers in 2023, and we expect that trend to continue this year," said TSA Administrator David Pekoske. "So far in 2024, travel volumes are trending at nearly 6% above the same period in 2023.

  18. Students: Prepare for Spring Break Travel with These Tips

    As an international student in the United States, you may be able to travel during your time of study. If you're planning to travel outside of the country for spring break, make sure you take the appropriate steps before you travel to help ensure a smooth and enjoyable travel process. Before You Travel:

  19. Richard Ayoade & Greg Davies in Moscow

    Richard and Greg Davies attempt to extract the essence of Moscow in two days, as they clash with army tanks, head into space and visit one of the strangest c...

  20. The Quiet Enforcers

    "HSI is the investigative arm of our cultural property repatriation cases," said La Tourette. "When we became the Department of Homeland Security, in 2003, CBP retained forfeiture authority, so we work hand-in-hand with HSI every step of the way to make sure that the transfer of ownership and the repatriation are done properly."

  21. DHS

    Are you a frequent traveler who wants to enjoy faster and easier entry into the U.S. and other countries? Apply for one of the Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) offered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and enjoy the benefits of expedited screening and reduced wait times at airports and borders.

  22. Richard Ayoade & Greg Davies in Moscow

    Richard and Greg Davies clash with army tanks and head into space in the Russian capital. To watch the full episode click here http://www.channel4.com/progra...

  23. Highlights of Moscow!

    In this vlog we explore the incredible city of Moscow, Russia! There is SO much to see and do in this city and we tried to pick out the highlights to share w...

  24. Idaho

    The Lifeline program is available to eligible low-income consumers in every state, territory, commonwealth, and on Tribal lands. Consumers with proper proof of eligibility may be qualified to enroll. To participate in the program, consumers must have an income that is at or below 135% of the federal Poverty Guidelines or participate in a ...