Rhode Island’s Global Entry office reopens after over 4-year closure

Rhode Island’s only dedicated office for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Global Entry program has reawakened from a four-and-a-half-year hibernation, the state’s congressional delegation announced on Tuesday.

The reopening of the Global Entry Enrollment Center just outside of Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport allows local residents to apply for the program without having to leave the state to attend an in-person screening interview. The Warwick office closed on July 6, 2020, due to renovations.

The program offers faster entry through U.S. border patrol checkpoints during international travel for pre-approved travelers. 

As post-pandemic travel rebounded, Rhode Island residents who frequently travel out of the country grew frustrated with having to trek to Boston, or New Jersey or New York — the nearest offices — to complete the screening. 

In May, Rhode Island’s four-person congressional delegation sent a letter to U.S. Customs and Border Protection Acting Commissioner Troy Miller asking for a timeline on when the Warwick Global Entry office would reopen.

Delegation members in a joint statement on Tuesday referred to that letter as a reason why the office reopened.

“We’re thrilled that U.S. Customs and Border Protections listened to us and reopened the Global Entry Enrollment Center at T.F. Green International Airport after a more than 4-year closure,” they said in a statement. “Global Entry is a critical program for frequent travelers and the ability to conduct the required interviews in-state will help reduce the burden on new and renewal applications. Today, as we celebrate the center’s reopening, we stand ready to assist our constituents to make their international travel as safe, reliable, and convenient as possible.”

A spokesperson for U.S. Customs and Border Protection gave an emailed response Tuesday night.

“The U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Enrollment Center at 300 Jefferson Blvd, Suite 104 Warrick, RI was closed in 2020 at the onset of the COVID pandemic,” the spokesperson, who declined to be identified, said. “The center remained closed while a larger, modern and more efficient office dedicated solely to the processing of trusted traveler applicants was designed, funded and built. CBP is excited this facility is now open and available for the residents of Rhode Island and Southern New England to use.”

The office at 300 Jefferson Boulevard in Warwick is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays, according to the website. Information about how to apply for the program and schedule a screening interview is available online.

This story has been updated to correct the day of the week the announcement was made and to add a response from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.