Travelers should expect major delays as airport systems for checking passports in the US crash

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Travelers should expect major delays as airport systems for checking passports in the US crash

customs passport border airport

AP Photo/Julie Jacobson

File photo: A Customs and Border Protection officer checks the passport of a non-resident visitor to the United States inside immigration control at McCarran International Airport, Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011, in Las Vegas.

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  • 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."

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"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.

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