(Photo: agencies)

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) computer system is down in multiple cities on Friday, resulting in long lines at airports.

"CBP is experiencing a temporary outage with its processing systems at various airports of entry & is taking immediate action to address the technology disruption," the agency said in a statement, adding international travelers are being processed by "alternative procedures."

The statement did not mention the time needed to fix the system failure.

According to social media posts, the John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City, the Los Angeles International Airport and Dulles International Airport servicing Washington D.C. are all affected by the system failure.