We’ve all watched reports on the nightly news about immigration debates, new passport requirements, long wait times through airport security, and construction of a border fence… Since 9/11, we’ve understandingly been extra vigilant on issues relating to homeland security efforts. But have we really made progress with all the new initiatives we hear about… are […]
BTA is very concerned about a new policy being implemented at all ports of entry. Last week, CBP officers began checking the drivers licenses for 60 percent of drivers that cross the border into the U.S. from Canada and Mexico. The driver’s license numbers are then manually entered into a computer system, causing an […]
Pending the completion of floor action on several pending measures, the House and Senate are expected to adjourn until September 4th. The Senate is considering a series of Pro Forma sessions during the August recess to prevent any recess appointments from being made by President Bush. However, this effort led by Senate Democrats may complicate […]
Last week Congress approved legislation adopting the recommendations made by the 9/11 Commission. Included in the security measure is a requirement for all cargo bound for the United States to be screened for nuclear material prior to being loaded upon ships in foreign ports. Since 2003, all ships destined for the United States are required […]
Also this week, Maria Luisa, Import-Export Committee Chair Dan Garcia, and Kay Olive, Chair of the Border Technologies Committee met with Todd Owen, Executive Director of Cargo and Security Conveyance for Customs and Border Protection, to discuss the Customs and Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program and cargo security standards. The BTA also shared its […]
On July 26th, 2007. 2:00PM EDT (WASHINGTON, D.C.) Maria Luisa O’Connell, President of the Border Trade Alliance (BTA), testified today before the U.S. House Homeland Security Committee Subcommittee on Border, Maritime and Global Counterterrorism at a hearing entitled, “Frequent Traveler Programs: Balancing Security and Commerce at our Land Borders.”
A written transcript and recorded video feed […]
Last week, BTA Board Member and Import-Export Committee co-chair Kirk Lanz gave a presentation to San Diego State’s Graduate Program in Homeland Security. The presentation provided the graduate students an overview of the BTA and the role it plays in facilitating the secure movement of people and goods at our borders. A special thank you […]
While in Washington, Matt Howe made visits to several congressional border offices including meeting with staff from Senators Hutchison and Cornyn and Representatives Cuellar, Rodriguez, and Grijalva. At these meetings, Matt provided congressional staff with an update of BTA activities in support of our border communities and trade.
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The Border Trade Alliance (BTA) Environment and Health Committee developed and submitted comments on the WHTI Draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) to U.S. Customs and Border Protection on Wednesday July 18th, 2007. The Draft PEA analyzes environmental consequences of three alternatives and one “no-action” alternative for changes in procedures and document requirements for U.S. citizens […]
The following is an excerpt from the Siera Vista Herald, which quotes Border Trade Alliance (BTA) Chairman, Pete Sepulveda, regarding Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). Providing southern Arizona locals with a perspective on how the initiative may impact their plans for cross-border travel and trade, the following article also summarizes the BTA’s recent advocacy […]
