**FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST**

FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

ANCHOR: The Department of Homeland Security has issued a formal travel advisory in advance of the Memorial Day weekend.

WHAT: U.S. Customs and Border Protection, or CBP, has released an operational warning for all international ports of entry. The agency is urging travelers to prepare for significant processing delays due to anticipated high volumes of traffic.

WHO: The advisory targets all persons crossing into the United States via land, air, or sea. This applies to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and international visitors.

WHEN: The heightened alert period is in effect from Friday, May 24th, through Monday, May 27th, 2024, coinciding with the national holiday weekend.

WHERE: The warning applies to all U.S. border crossings, with specific emphasis on the Southwest land border, major international airports, and seaports.

WHY: Officials cite a projected surge in lawful travel combined with ongoing enforcement operations. The CBP warns that failure to possess compliant travel documents—including a valid U.S. passport or a Trusted Traveler Program card—will result in mandatory secondary inspections.

KEY DETAILS: For expedited processing, CBP strongly recommends enrollment in programs such as Global Entry and SENTRI. Travelers are further advised to declare all agricultural items and to verify that any merchandise purchased abroad is within duty-free limits to avoid fines.

The agency’s final instruction is clear: verify documentation, declare all goods, and anticipate extended wait times.