Over 350,000 applicants waiting for interviews

Conditionally approved Nexus members who re-applied for membership before their card’s expiry date will now have a five-year grace period to complete their interview and receive a new card. That also applies to new applicants although they will not enjoy Nexus benefits until they actually receive a card allowing them to use the Nexus lanes. The previous grace period was two years.

Applicants might need that grace period. Most enrollment centers in the U.S. show no open interview slots until well into 2023 and some show no slots open between now and 2030. According to CBP spokesperson Jason Givens, “Trusted Traveler Programs (Global Entry, SENTRI, NEXUS, FAST) are currently experiencing unprecedented increased numbers of application submissions. For example, in July 2022, CBP received an average of 11,500 new and renewal applications every day. These events have created an extensive processing and interview backlog that CBP continues to diligently work hard to reduce.”

According to Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) spokesperson Rebecca Purdy, there are currently 339,887 Nexus and 10,698 FAST applicants waiting for an interview as of August 9. Canadian enrollment centers remain closed while the 12 U.S. centers are operating at reduced capacity due to Covid-19 protocols.

“Canada and the US are in discussions about the timing of the reopening of Canadian enrollment centers (ECs). These discussions are focused on clarifying legal protections for U.S. CBP officers while they are working in ECs. Until that time, ECs in Canada will continue to be closed,” Purdy said.

The issue of legal protections for U.S. officers was raised in an April 21 story in the All Point Bulletin in which Purdy was specifically asked if the issue of carrying weapons while on duty was the reason why the two governments had failed to reach an agreement to re-open the ECs. Avoideding the question, Purdy replied that “the CBSA and the U.S. CBP are working together to mitigate the impact on members caused by the extended closures of the enrollment centers.”

A U.S./Canada Preclearance agreement that went into effect in 2019 authorized U.S. officers working in Canadian airports and other ports performing immigration and customs duties in preclearance areas to carry guns wherever CBSA officers carry guns. However, as CBSA officers are not allowed to carry guns, neither are U.S. officers.

Those seeking appointments are advised to check frequently as times will open up without warning. The first Monday of the month is when new appointments often appear. For appointments, go to bit.ly/3cedWFY.