Addition would allow travelers from Israel to gain expedited entry to the US
Last week, US Reps. Grace Meng and Brian Mast (R-FL) sent a bipartisan letter with 73 other Members of Congress to Acting Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan, urging him to expand the Global Entry program to Israel.
The Global Entry program allows expedited entry to the United States for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon their arrival in the US. Current participants of the program include Australia, Canada, Mexico, South Korea, the Netherlands, Panama, Germany, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Colombia, Switzerland, Argentina, and India.
Since 2012, Israel has participated in a limited pilot program for Global Entry. Israel’s full participation in the program would not only strengthen the deep US-Israel national security ties that exist, but would also grow the US economy and increase people-to-people exchanges.
“Israel is America’s strongest ally and friend in the Middle East, and it’s time that Israel is finally permitted to fully participate in our Global Entry program,” said Meng. “By adding Israel, America continues to affirm its unbreakable support for US-Israel relations and strengthens the people-to-people connections for years to come. I want to thank Rep. Mast for co-leading this letter with me and I look forward to hearing back from Acting Secretary McAleenan.”
“The United States’ relationship with Israel is critically important to both countries and global security,” said Mast. “A long list of our allies already benefit from full participation in Global Entry, and there’s no doubt that Israel should be added to strengthen security at our border and theirs, as well as increase opportunity for cultural and economic exchange.”