Federal border agents are cautioning travelers attempting entry into the United States to be wary of the solar eclipse and higher-than-usual traffic volume.
On Monday, the moon will be positioned so that the sun's entire disc will be blocked in 13 states, starting in Mexico and moving across Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine before heading over the North Atlantic Ocean. The total eclipse will last up to 4 minutes and 28 seconds in some areas.
Small parts of Tennessee and Michigan will also experience the total solar eclipse, according to NASA. The eclipse will then enter Canada before exiting North America on the Atlantic coast of Newfoundland.
The southern border will remain open for processing, with agents from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Border Patrol on hand, as usual.
"CBP is expecting an increase in cross border traffic into New York state for the Total Solar Eclipse on April 8, and is reminding travelers to plan accordingly and anticipate possible delays," a CBP spokesperson told Newsweek via email on Monday.
"In preparation of this unique event, CBP has been working with our local and federal partners to ensure a safe and secure environment with the expected influx of travelers at all our land border ports of entry throughout New York state."
CBP has provided the following list of travel tips for those embarking on a border crossing and want to expedite the process:
- Utilize the appropriate travel document. That includes approved documents like passports, U.S. passport cards and enhanced driver's licenses are a few of the approved documents.
- Utilize the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). VWP travelers looking to enter the U.S. at land ports of entry are required to obtain an approved Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). Those who arrive without a valid travel authorization will be permitted to withdraw their application for admission, return to Canada, and submit an ESTA application there.
- Check border wait times, plan ahead, and give yourself extra time. Check traffic conditions at the border crossings within your region and select the crossing that is least congested. Travelers can download CBP's Border Wait Time app and check crossing traffic conditions via their mobile devices. Travelers can also obtain traffic conditions at www.cbp.gov/travel/advisories-wait-times.
- If possible, travel during non-peak travel times. Peak travel times generally tend to be between the hours of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
- Prepare for the inspection process before arriving at the inspection booth. Have your travel documents in hand, roll down the vehicle windows, and remove hats and sunglasses before entering the inspection area.
- Travelers are encouraged to visit the "Know Before You Go" section of the CBP website. To avoid fines and penalties associated with the importation of restricted or prohibited items, visit https://www.cbp.gov/travel to become more educated prior to traveling. This also includes not attempting to cross with marijuana, which remains illegal in the U.S. on a federal level.
- Declare your goods. Travelers should declare all items being brought from abroad that will remain in the U.S. This includes gifts and duty-free purchases.
- Food and plants. There are numerous agricultural restrictions on fruits, meats and plants. Before bringing these items, check the CBP website on bringing agricultural products into the U.S. If you decide to take your chances and bring it with you, be certain to declare it, and be willing to surrender it if it turns out to be prohibited.
Those intending to watch the eclipse have been strongly encouraged to follow safety protocols, such as using special viewing glasses and wrapping up warm for a sudden temperature drop.
People can also protect their smartphones, which NASA has warned could be negatively impacted by being pointed at the eclipse.
"The phone sensor could be damaged just like any other image sensor if it's pointed directly at the Sun," NASA wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "This is especially true if you're using any sort of magnifying lens attachment on the phone. You would need to utilize the proper filters just like on any other camera.
"The best practice would be to hold a pair of eclipse glasses in front of your phone's lenses when photographing the Sun at any point other than totality."
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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Nick Mordowanec is a Newsweek reporter based in Michigan. His focus is reporting on Ukraine and Russia, along with social ... Read more
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