The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has joined Public Safety Canada and the Secretariat of Governance of Mexico in outlining the first steps toward the creation of a North American Trusted Traveler network
The new agreement signed by Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson on July 10, 2015 and his Canadian and Mexican counterparts will make it easier for eligible travelers in the United States, Mexico and Canada to apply for expedited screening programs, helping to promote legitimate travel across the continent.
As part of the agreement, Mexican nationals who are members of Mexico’s Viajero Confiable program will be able to apply for the U.S. - Canada NEXUS trusted traveler program, making them eligible for expedited screening benefits upon arrival at international airports in the United States and Canada.
The arrangement will also allow Canadian citizens who are members of NEXUS to apply for Viajero Confiable, making them eligible for expedited screening benefits upon arrival at select international airports in Mexico.
U.S. citizens are currently eligible to apply for the NEXUS and Viajero Confiable trusted traveler programs through existing partnerships between U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Public Safety Canada and Mexico’s National Institute of Migration. Eligible travelers will be able to apply for each program beginning in 2016.
At the 2014 North American Leaders Summit in Toluca, Mexico, the leaders of the United States, Canada, and Mexico committed to the development of a trilateral trusted traveler network to facilitate air travel in North America. Facilitating secure air travel within North America is also a goal of the U.S. - Canada Beyond the Border initiative, the U.S. - Mexico 21st Century Border Management Initiative, and the U.S. - Mexico High-Level Economic Dialogue. With this arrangement, the three nations confirm their commitment to cooperate in immigration matters and further promote secure and expedited travel within North America.
“Trusted Traveler programs are a vital tool to facilitate international travel and trade,” said Secretary Johnson. “I am pleased to work together with Canada and Mexico to lay the groundwork for expedited arrival screening for pre-approved travelers from all three countries. We are committed to enhancing the travel experience through our risk-based approach to aviation security, and this expanded partnership will benefit travelers all across North America.”
