Global Entry Program Expands to Four Additional Airports

Customs and Border Protection has announced the expansion of their Global Entry program. The program will be expanded to include four additional airports throughout the month of March: Minneapolis – St. Paul International Airport, Minneapolis, Minn. (03/5); Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Charlotte, N. C. (03/12); Denver International Airport, Denver, Colo. (03/19); and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Phoenix, Ariz. (03/26). This expansion is connected to recent initiatives to increase travel and tourism in the U.S., as well as encourage job creation. Part of President Obama’s initiative, established through Executive Order, included making the Global Entry pilot program a permanent program.

Global Entry is now available in 24 airports in the U.S. and gives pre-approved members access to a streamlined and automated way to avoid the tedious nature of regular passport processing lines. Wait times for people utilizing the program are reduced by over 70 percent; more than ¾ of travelers that use the Global Entry program are processed in under five minutes.

DOL Amends H-2B Regulations; Schedules Informational Webinars to Explain

On February 21, 2012, the Department of Labor published a final rule that amends certain H-2B regulations. The rule changes the process by which certification of temporary employment of non-agricultural nonimmigrant workers. This rule additionally creates regulations that provide enhanced enforcement of employers that fail to meet their obligations. Finally, changes have been made to Form ETA 9142, the Application for Temporary Employment Certification. This final rule will become effective on April 23, 2012.

In order to ensure public understanding of these substantial changes to the H-2B nonimmigrant program, the Department of Labor is holding a series of webinars and a public briefing, in which they will educate stakeholders, program users and others of the changes to the H-2B program. The sessions will take place in March and early April. More information can be found at the Department of Labor website.