Travelers should expect major delays as airport systems for checking passports in the US crash
- US Customs systems for processing arriving travelers' passports were reportedly down on Friday afternoon, leading to massive delays at airport arrivals halls throughout the country.
- JFK Airport's official Twitter account said that Customs agents were using backup systems to process passengers manually.
- This is a developing story. Refresh this page for the latest.
The systems that the US Customs and Border Patrol uses to check incoming travelers' passports suffered a major outage on Friday, forcing officials to rely on slower backup systems.
Travelers at airports around the country, including New York's JFK and Washington-Dulles, reported widespread delays in international arrivals halls.
"At Dulles, just announced that the US Customs system is down nationwide," one traveler at Washington Dulles tweeted.
"Wow @JFKairport customs systems are down," another traveler, Ninis Samuel tweeted. "Glad I have Global Entry but don't think it's gonna help."
"Just to let you know Customs is experiencing a system shutdown nationwide," JFK Airport's official account tweeted. "They are processing passengers manually until the system comes back online. Thanks for your patience."
CBP did not immediately return a request for comment.
This is a developing story. Refresh this page for the latest.