KXO RADIO - New technology at Calexico Ports

You are here : Home

New technology at Calexico Ports

Todays is : Thursday, 08 January 2009

Written by George Gale
Monday, 01 December 2008
(Work is underway at Calexico Ports)…..The work is to bring the Ports into compliance with the Western Hemisphere Travelers Act. The Act calls for the requirement of U.S. Passports or the new passport card to be presented by U.S. Citizens when crossing the International border. The Radio Frequency Identifier Document Technology is being installed at both the Downtown Port and at the East Port. Officials say the RFID will be installed during what they describe as the least impact hours. For the East Port, that will be during the hours the Port will be closed. It is hoped the installation will be completed by the end of the month. Beginning June 1, 2009, U.S. Citizens will be required to present a passport or the new passport card in order to cross the border. The new passport card is expected to cost around $35, as compared to the almost $100 it costs to obtain a U.S. Passport. Once installed, the RFID technology will be able to read the new cards, and that is expected to reduce wait times crossing into the United States.