by
US Dept. of Homeland Security TSA | Feb 27, 2014
BROWNSVILLE, TX – The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) today announced that an enrollment center where individuals can apply for TSA Pre✓™ is open in Brownsville, Texas to serve the Rio Grande Valley.
TSA Pre✓™ is an expedited screening program established as part of the agency’s risk-based, intelligence-driven approach to aviation security. TSA Pre✓™ members are eligible to leave on their shoes, light outerwear and belt in select screening lanes. Passengers also can keep their laptop in its case and their 3-1-1 compliant liquids/gels baggie in a carry-on.
The TSA Pre✓™ application process allows U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to go through a pre-enrollment process online at www.TSA.gov and visit an application center to provide biographic information (e.g. name, date of birth, address, etc.), fingerprints, payment and valid required identity and citizenship/immigration documentation. TSA is currently in the process of increasing the number of TSA Pre✓™ enrollment centers to more than 300 locations nationwide.
“We are pleased that the TSA Pre✓™ enrollment center in Brownsville is now serving residents of the Rio Grande Valley and surrounding communities,” said TSA Federal Security Director Jess Presas. “TSA Pre✓™ members not only get expedited screening benefits at the 117 airports that are members of the program, but will receive some of these benefits at airports that don’t have a TSA Pre✓™ lane.”
At Brownsville South Padre Island International, McAllen/Miller International, and Valley International, travelers who are eligible for TSA Pre✓™ receive some of the benefits of the program, such as leaving their shoes on.
Interested individuals can begin the application process online by visiting https://universalenroll.dhs.gov and selecting “Pre-Enroll Now” in the TSA Pre✓™ section of the webpage. In Texas, applicants can choose from enrollment centers in Houston, Beaumont, Brownsville, Corpus Christi, Freeport, Point Comfort, Port Arthur, Port Lavaca, Texas City, and Victoria.
Once the application has been processed and approved, applicants must visit the enrollment center in person to verify their identity and citizenship/immigration status, as well as to provide fingerprints. While walk-ins are accepted at all locations, appointments are recommended and can be booked online. There is a nonrefundable application fee of $85 for a five-year membership. Approved applicants will receive a Known Traveler Number (KTN) that can be used when making airline reservations in the mail in two to three weeks or can access it online after five business days.
Prior to the launch of the TSA Pre✓™ application process, passengers were eligible for TSA Pre✓™ through existing programs such as U.S. Custom and Border Protection’s Global Entry program and frequent flier programs with participating airlines. Airlines that participate in TSA Pre✓™ nationwide are Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, US Airways and Virgin America.
As always, TSA continues to incorporate random and unpredictable security measures throughout the airport, and no individual will be guaranteed expedited screening.
For more information about the program, visit www.tsa.gov/tsa-precheck
The Brownsville application center is located at the following address:
Universal Enrollment Center
Plaza Viejo Shopping Center
7470 Padre Island Hwy
Ste 170
Brownsville, TX 78521
Hours: Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
For addresses of other Texas enrollment sites, go to https://universalenroll.dhs.gov/locator