Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Customs personnel
Twenty-five additional agents will help cut down long wait times
Some 25 additional agents will be assigned to Broward airport and seaport to expedite clearing passengers.
International travelers arriving in Broward County may soon see improvements to those long wait times at airport and seaport Customs stations.
Twenty-five new U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents will be assigned to Fort LauderdaleHollywood International Airport and Port Everglades to help expedite the clearances of air and cruise passengers arriving from abroad, spokespersons at both locations confirmed Friday.
They will be phased in over the next six to eight months and deployed in both places as they are needed, according to Greg Meyer, spokesman for the Broward County Aviation Department.
That’s good news for weary residents eager to get home, or for tourists who yearn for some quick beach time and the comforts of a hotel room.
“The additional officers would be a tremendous help for us,” Meyer said. “Last year, we were the fastest-growing large hub airport in the country. There certainly is a need for these additional officers. Sometimes the waits are longer than we like to see.”
He said the department frequently assigns its own staff members to help direct inbound passengers to the right places. The airport has two Customs stations: one at Terminal 1 on the north side of the airport, and the other at Terminal 4 on the south side.
Broward’s status as an international destination has grown as airlines and cruise lines have expanded their schedules. Spirit, Southwest and JetBlue all operate flights to Latin America and the Caribbean. International carriers such as Air Canada, Avianca, Azul, British Airways, Emirates and Norwegian serve the airport, which has seen its international passenger traffic grow for four consecutive years, Meyer said.
Port Everglades is one of the country’s top international cruise ports and is a national leader in the import of perishables from other nations.
Deputy port director Glenn Wiltshire said the additional agents are critical for a forthcoming cruise season that starts in November. “The earlier [they arrive], the better,” he said.
On 10 occasions, he said, Port Everglades will be hosting eight ships simultaneously. Besides thousands of cruise passengers, agents are also needed to conduct agricultural inspections of inbound bananas, blueberries, grapes, melons and asparagus, all of which are headed for local and regional supermarkets.
A Customs’ spokesman said he did not have any information about the new agents. It is unknown how many agents are stationed at the airport and seaport. Meyer said the agency does not disclose the numbers of officers who are on duty at any of the ports of entry they serve.
According to the Customs agency website, agents are stationed at 328 ports of entry around the nation. They are responsible for border security, which includes counter-terrorism measures and the enforcement of federal customs, immigration, trade and agriculture regulations.
U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Weston), who worked with several other South Florida legislators to obtain money for the new agents, said the new agents are critical additions for both the airport and seaport.
“I’m proud to have worked with my Congressional colleagues from Broward County to help secure funding for these badly needed personnel for our vital travel and trade hubs,” she said in a statement. “Our residents, visitors and business community will all benefit from it.”
“There certainly is a need for these additional officers. Sometimes the waits are longer than we like to see.” Greg Meyer, spokesman for Broward County Aviation Department