U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials at the San Ysidro Port of Entry will soon launch a pilot SENTRI program designed to enhance efficiency while maintaining national security.
Mexico is collaborating with the U.S. on the effort, set to begin by mid-November. The initiative will expand SENTRI vehicle access by converting the general “All Traffic” lane on Second Street in Tijuana into an exclusive SENTRI lane.
The program will allow SENTRI users to access the San Ysidro crossing through two entry points instead of one. The current SENTRI lane on Padre Kino Avenue will remain open, while medical pass lanes on Paseo de los Héroes continue operating as usual.
Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection, or SENTRI, are lanes run by U.S. CBP that let pre-approved travelers enter the U.S. from Mexico and Canada faster. Using this lane requires applying through the Department of Homeland Security’s Trusted Traveler Programs website, paying a fee and completing an in-person interview.
Applicants are subject to a background check as approval requires a clean criminal record. Additional benefits include access to TSA Pre-Check lanes at U.S. airports. Another program to reduce wait times, Ready Lanes, caters to travelers with cards containing Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, such as U.S. Passport and SENTRI cards and Enhanced Driver’s Licenses.
CBP officials said the SENTRI pilot will be evaluated for its impact on traffic flow, efficiency and security before determining whether to make the change permanent.
“Our top priority remains safeguarding our nation and maintaining the integrity and security of our border,” said San Ysidro Port Director Mariza Marin. “Through this pilot program and our continued partnership with the Government of Mexico, we are identifying opportunities to enhance efficiency and improve the border crossing experience at San Ysidro, devoting more attention to high-risk travelers and vehicles.”
The San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce welcomed the pilot program as an important step toward modernizing border operations that are vital to the regional economy.
“A top priority for the chamber continues to be advancing border efficiency, advocating for continued investment in infrastructure, technology and projects that facilitate trade and travel while also prioritizing national security,” said Kenia Zamarripa, the chamber’s Vice President of International and Public Affairs.
Small businesses that depend on daily cross-border traffic, employees and customers alike, Zamarripa said, would benefit from smoother traffic.
“Border efficiency makes a meaningful difference,” she said.
Zamarripa explained that CBP data supports the realignment, even if there might be concerns from residents.
“SENTRI and Ready Lane usage continues to grow, while crossings through general ‘All Traffic’ lanes have declined and now represent roughly one-third of total crossings,” Zamarripa said. “The pilot aims to realign lane use with traveler demand to make the entire system work more efficiently.”
Nearly 60,000 individuals cross the U.S.-Mexico border daily for work, according to regional data collected by the University of San Diego. Zamarripa emphasized that reducing congestion and improving reliability directly supports both workers and the local economy.
“Border efficiency supports workforce reliability and consumer spending with less time spent waiting in line,” she said, pointing to benefits for sectors like tourism, retail, hospitality and logistics.
The chamber will coordinate with CBP, Tijuana’s Secretariat of Economic Development and binational partners to assess community feedback and performance data from initiatives like the pilot SENTRI project.
Zamarripa added that San Diego has a history of taking part in innovative border management efforts, while the chamber leads binational delegations to Washington, D.C. and Mexico City to promote key projects such as modernization of the San Ysidro and PedWest ports, the Otay Mesa East expansion and other regional infrastructure efforts.
“The SENTRI program itself began as a local pilot here in San Diego. We’ll continue to advocate for border efficiency and encourage eligible daily users to apply for the Trusted Traveler Program,” she said.
CBP advises travelers to check vehicle wait times through its Border Wait Times website or mobile app, which updates hourly.
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