Beginning this summer, George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) will test an innovative program aimed at speeding up the immigration customs process for low-risk, frequent, international, “trusted” travelers entering the United States.

Those who qualify for the pilot Global Entry Program are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents who are frequent international travelers. But in order to qualify, those travelers must not have been found guilty of a criminal offense, charged with a customs or immigration offense, or declared inadmissible to the U.S. under immigration legislation.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is administering the pilot program, which includes the use of biometric fingerprint technology to verify passengers’ identities and to confirm their statuses as Global Entry participants.

“The Global Entry pilot program is an important next step upon the foundation of CBP’s other trusted travelers programs…extending expedited processing to low-risk, international air travelers,” says Ralph Basham, Customs and Border Protection commissioner.

 “I am very pleased the program is being tested a IAH, it should produce some major benefits for our frequent international travelers and allow us to operate more efficiently and effectively,” says Rick Vacar, director of aviation for the Houston Airport System. “This should improve customer service for our international passengers and add to our distinction as a Model Port.”

 IAH was one of only two airports in the nation to be designated by the Department of Homeland Security as a model port. Model Port status includes implementing unique methods to improve the travel experience for international passengers undergoing the customs process, while also maintaining security protocols.

Customs and Border Protection explains the Global Entry Program process this way; “enrolled travelers may by-pass the regular passport control line and proceed directly to the Global Entry kiosk. The passenger will activate the system by inserting a passport or proper travel document into a document reader. The traveler will be directed to electronically provide fingerprints, which will be compared with biometric information already on file.