The Border Trade Alliance’s (BTA) 2007 International Conference: Border, Security, Impact? was held on Monday September 24th and Tuesday September 25th in Austin, Texas. The conference drew to a successful conclusion after having provided attendees with insight and information on the major issues affecting our international borders, commerce, trade, travel and security.
Among the featured speakers at the BTA conference were U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Deputy Commissioner Jayson P. Ahern.
On Monday, Senator Cornyn gave a keynote presentation via video conference where he addressed the state of U.S. - Mexico relations. The following is an excerpt from an article by the Rio Grande Guardian about Senator Cornyn’s presentation, “I’m sorry to say I have not seen the United States relationship with Mexico at such a low ebb during my adult life and I think it’s a dangerous situation,” said Cornyn, R-Texas. Read the full article…
Also on Monday, BTA Members discussed the growing concern with wait-times at border crossings along the U.S-Canada and U.S.-Mexico borders. The following is a quote from an article by The Daily Texan, “”It is now harder for a U.S. citizen to enter back into the country than it is for a foreign national,” said Maria Luisa O’Connell, the alliance’s president. Read the full article…
On Tuesday, CBP Deputy Commissioner Jayson P. Ahern addressed the issue of wait-times and commented on budgetary challenges facing his agency. Read the related Associated Press article…
To find out more about the recently concluded BTA Conference click here.
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