Presidential Sponsors met with Senior Policymakers
Throughout 2006, Presidential Sponsors were afforded the op- portunity to meet with Members of Congress and senior Administrative officials to personally convey their concerns about border issues. Meetings occurred with U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas), U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), GSA Administrator Lurita Doan, GSA Commissioner David Winstead, and DHS Assistant Secretary Stewart A. Baker.
Reverse Customs
BTA wrote U.S. Customs Border Protection (CBP) in support of the concept of reverse customs as outlined in the Canadian Senate report “Borderline Insecure.” CBP responded by pledging to cooperate with the BTA on
this issue.
Low Risk Ports of Entry
The Border Trade Alliance wrote to CBP seeking further clarification of the agency’s plans regarding the development of low-risk ports of entry. Border Patrol Chief David Aguilar responded during his testimony before the United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee (July 2006).
SENTRI Lane: Nogales, Arizona
The BTA helped implement a dedicated commuter, Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection (SENTRI), lane at the DeConcini port of entry in Nogales by participating in a Arizona-Mexico Commission’s Border Issues Committee meeting which hosted CBP.
FAST Lane: Nogales, Arizona
The BTA helps secure a presidential permit in record time to allow for the development of the FAST lane at the Nogales Mariposa point of entry. The BTA also facilitated the public-private partnership that brought stakeholders together on this important effort. The BTA Foundation played a key role in facilitation of negotiations between the United States and Mexico and after two-years of deliberation a diplomatic note is transmitted heralding the construction of the FAST lane.
U.S.-Mexico Trans-Boundary Aquifer Assessment Act
The BTA has long supported this key legislation that addresses critical water needs along our southern border.
US-VISIT
The BTA, at the invitation of DHS, provided input and feedback on US-VISIT testing and Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology tested at five land border ports of entry: Nogales East (Deconcini) and Nogales West (Mariposa) in Arizona; Alexandria Bay (Thousand Islands) in New York; and Pacific Highway and Peace Arch in Washington state.
DHS Responds to BTA’s Questions About US-VISIT
In January, the BTA wrote a letter to DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff that outlined questions and concerns regarding the US-VISIT proof of concept pilot project being tested in Nogales, AZ.
BTA seeks support from U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.)
After reviewing the BTA’s concerns, Sen. Feinstein drafted a letter to DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff seeking clarification on US-VISIT and its implementation.
Capitol Hill Congressional Staff Briefing
In June 2006, the BTA held a congressional staff briefing, which aired on CSPAN2, at the U.S. Capitol about the challenges surrounding the movement of goods and people along our international borders.
BTA works to secure Southern Border Governors’ support - As a result of the BTA’s Congressional Staff Briefing on Capitol Hill, the organization was asked by Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm to secure the support of the Southern Border Governors in extending the implementation date of the WHTI.
BTA participates in the US-Mexico Border Governors Conference
The BTA sought the support of the border governors in extending the deadline for implementation of WHTI. The BTA also called upon the governors to support an economic impact-analysis on the affect of WHTI on border communities.
Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)
BTA submitted comments on WHTI and called on the Departments of State and Homeland Security to regularly assess their ability to meet the Dec. 31, 2007 deadline.
BTA testified on new travel initiative
Pete Sepulveda, chair of the BTA board of directors, testified at a field hearing in Laredo, Texas of the Immigration, Border Security and Citizenship Subcommittee of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
BTA called for public support
WHTI resolution passed: The BTA called upon border organizations to endorse the resolution that specifically outlines suggestions for the U.S. Government.
US-VISIT, WHTI, immigration reform on BTA radar
BTA traveled to Washington, D.C. to discuss some of the most pressing issues in the border trade environment with our nation’s leaders.
BTA Success – Passage of 18 month extension for WHTI deadline: The BTA worked closely with Congressional leaders and stakeholders to extend the implementation date for WHTI for land and sea crossings until July 2009.
Commuter Workers
BTA participated in commuter worker discussion in Imperial Valley. BTA board member Russ Jones and Agribusiness and Fisheries Committee chair Steve Birdsall, who is also agricultural commissioner for Imperial County, Calif., presided over a discussion of commuter agricultural workers in El Centro, Calif.
BTA recognized for Border Crossing Card efforts
Sens. Pete Domenici (R-N.M.) and Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) and Rep. Stevan Pearce (R-N.M.) wrote to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff to reiterate their re-quest for an extension on the permissible area of entry for Border Crossing Card (BCC) holders.
Commercial Drivers License (CDL) Legislation
Rep. Michael Michaud (D-Maine) requested the BTA’s support on H.R. 717 that would attempt to increase the number of truck drivers in the United States by expediting payments for veterans taking commercial driving classes.
Regional Meetings
The BTA hosted three regional border meetings to facilitate grassroots development by bringing local border issues before policy experts and decision makers.
BTA met with Sen. Hutchison
Summer 2006, the BTA meet with Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) to discuss issues currently affecting border communities and ports of entry.
BTA weighed in on Automated Commercial Environment (ACE)
The BTA sent CBP a letter outlining concerns about the implementation of ACE e-manifest. CBP responded and asked the BTA to join its Trade Support Network. BTA Chair Pete Sepulveda, Jr. met with Cargo Systems Program Office Director Lou Samenfink to follow-up on CBP’s progress in implementing ACE e-manifest.
