Almost one year into its existence and the “Global Entry Trusted Traveler Program” is proving to be an amazing success story, especially at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH).

Thousands of international passengers have signed up for the expedited entry into the United States since its inception and Houston leads the nation in both registration and usage.

The initiative was launched last June, as U.S. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX) joined then-Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Cherthoff for a Houston news conference explaining how “Global Entry” would work.

U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents who were frequent international travelers and who had not been found guilty of a criminal offense, charged with a customs or immigration offense, or been declared inadmissible to the U.S. under immigration legislation, could apply for expedited screening and processing into the country.

Upon returning into the United States, those enrolled in the program could bypass the regular passport line and proceed directly to the Global Entry kiosks.

“I think the Global Entry Program allows returning citizens of the United States to have a warm and friendly welcome,” said Congresswoman Jackson-Lee. “But at the same time, it ensures that those that enter the United States, even returning citizens, have a secure passage.”

In addition to passport verification, program members also provide biometric data to employees with the U.S. Department of Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

This information is then run through a database system where a positive match is made and a digital photograph is taken for record keeping.

“Travelers get through the line much quicker,” says Richard Vacar, director of aviation for the Houston Airport System (HAS). “This process takes a fourth of the actual time that it would take to go through the customs process with a CBP officer.”