RFID installation at Rio Grande Valley bridges
Brownsville Gateway, Brownsville-Matamoros and Los Indios: July 21
Brownsville Veterans: July 28
Hidalgo and Pharr: Aug. 4
Rio Grande City: Aug. 25
Progreso: Sept. 8
Roma: Oct. 20

HIDALGO -- Radio frequency sensors are set to go up at Rio Grande Valley border crossings this summer and fall, preparing the ports of entry for stricter entry requirements next year.

Known as RFID, or radio frequency identification, the sensors will be able to detect microchips embedded in new passports, border crossing cards and visas. Those with older passports will not be able to drive or walk through so easily, though - only passports, border crossing cards and visas issued in the past couple of years are equipped with the microchips.

The microchips will allow U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents to pull up a traveler's information moments before a vehicle or pedestrian approaches an inspection booth. In many cases, travelers won't need to remove the cards from their pockets or purses.

The sensors' installation - set to run in phases July 21 to Oct. 20 - will likely close one to two lanes at a time during the construction periods. Construction should last about two weeks at each bridge, said Pharr-Hidalgo port Director Hector Mancha.

"We're doing as much as we can to make sure this doesn't slow down traffic," said Mancha, as CBP officials announced the plans in Hidalgo.

RFID technology is already used in Hidalgo and other U.S.-Mexico border crossings on SENTRI lanes, dedicated bridge lanes for pre-approved, low-risk travelers.

Customs officials say rolling out the sensors for mass use will help speed up traffic when new border crossing documentation requirements are implemented on June 1, 2009.

On that date, all U.S. citizens are set to be required to present a passport or border crossing card to re-enter the country. The new law is part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative that Congress passed in 2004 to protect U.S. borders.

"It'll make crossing the border easier while providing more protection," Mancha said.

Travelers from states that use so-called enhanced driver's licenses - state-issued licenses that provide proof of identity and U.S. citizenship - will also be able to cross with minimal fuss. Texas has not adopted enhanced driver's licenses, though.

How much the new sensors will speed up border crossing traffic will differ at every port of entry, said Joseph Mongiello, port director for the Rio Grande City-Camargo International Bridge.

Border officials were adamant the RFID sensors would not compromise personal information. Passports and other crossing documents only contain a serial number, which can be used to access data in a government-secured database, Mancha said.

Passport and visa applications do include personal information such as Social Security numbers, though.

The RFID sensor technology is expected to cost about $160 million to install nationwide.
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Kyle Arnold covers business, the economy and general assignments for The Monitor. You can reach him at (956) 683-4410.