On Thursday the House Homeland Security Committee held a field hearing in El Paso, Texas entitled, “Ensuring Homeland Security While Facilitating Legitimate Travel: The Challenge at America’s Ports of Entry.” GSA Administrator Lurita Doan, CBP Assistant Commissioner Thomas S. Winkowski and Richard Stana Director, Homeland Security and Justice at the Government Accountability Office were among those providing testimony. The primary focus of the field hearing was to address the concerns of growing wait-times at our nation’s ports of entry.
Below are highlights from yesterday’s field hearing, for full copies of witness testimony please click here.
“It is my hope, however, that today’s hearing will help us continue to work together to better secure our nation’s ports of entry, and improve the lives of those who call border communities home.”
- House Homeland Security Chairman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS)“As you well know, there is an urgent need in the nation to rethink the way we plan, design and build our ports of entry. We need new energy and new ideas. Over the past 15 years or so, our trade across the borders has dramatically increased while the capacity of our land ports of entry to handle this new traffic has not kept pace. To solve this problem, we are going to have to think differently.”
- GSA Administrator Lurita Doan“CBP’s frontline officers and agents will continue to protect America from the terrorist threat while also accomplishing our traditional missions in immigration, customs, and agriculture, all while balancing our enforcement missions with the need to effectively facilitate the flow of legitimate trade and travel.”
- CBP Assistant Commissioner Thomas S. Winkowski
Last year the Border Trade Alliance launched a successful grassroots campaign to educate Congress, the media and businesses and residents of border communities about the increased delays at our ports of entry. The issue of wait-times remains a major policy priority for the BTA and we are continuing our efforts to share information and recommendations with policy-makers in Washington, D.C. to address this critical issue in U.S. border communities.
1 Comment
The question is how long will it take me to get across the international border?
The answer to that question can depend on how many people are in line whether by passenger car or as a pedestrian or as a commercial vehicle.
WHERE TO FIND THE BORDER WAIT TIME - BWT
The concept of producing an hourly wait time report for any commuter is a great idea for the Calexico/Mexicali Ports of Entry which can be found on any computer with any internet providers at http://apps.cbp.gov/bwt/. BWT is for public consumption. For those that do not have a computer, they can call 700-7000 for an update between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. every fifteen minutes. The local newspaper with a internet provider called the La Cronica at http://www.lacronica.com/garita between the hours of on Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and on Saturday/Sunday 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
INPUT
We all know that a computer program is as good as the input at each International Border Port. Each Port is responsible for that input done hourly keeping the commuter up to date and if the commuter uses a computer can determine as which International Port to cross.
METHODS
Each Port compiles its wait time by several methods and in Calexico takes the average and posts it on the BWT sight from different sources such as:
(1) Passenger vehicles occupants responses as how it has taken to get to the port;
(2) CBP or the Border Patrol on the opposite side of the fence along the U.S. side of the border have vehicles stationed that provide security and by observing the length of the line waiting to cross the international border. No outside cameras to verify information on the length of the wait.
(3) From the pedestrians as they pass through the port or the length of the line at certain points in the tunnel and outside the tunnel or is it a guest-a-mitt. No cameras showing the line waiting.
Once this information is accumulated it is then forward by e-mail to the BWT main computer in Washington DC.
PROBLEMS
Reading about how to find the best port to cross can be a challenge. You ask yourself is this information reliable and accurate on the BWT. The sad truth is no. Retaliation is being played as a hoax with the commuters both for the pedestrians and with passenger vehicles from those at CBP. The great concept of BWT has been rendered useless. I have listed the following word usage or terms on the BTW Reports:
Some ports hourly reports with:
• “update pending” – Meaning we are closed;
• “update pending” – Meaning we are working on it; two hours later nothing changes, just the words posted – “update pending” and maybe open;
• “update pending” – Meaning done nothing yet;
Other Ports and the same as above may report periodically:
• Once every two or three hours later;
• A day later; or
• Or just don’t report accurately by just plugging in something.
How do you know what Port is open?
• “Lanes closed” – Meaning port closed – See Hours;
• “Lanes closed” – Meaning may open at 3 a.m. (called extended hours) – Not posted as hours but Open at 6 a.m. according to hours posted;
• New update hourly is late for hours on end for two or three hours or longer - the best time for this is during Peak Periods;
• The day before the peak period the port is open 24 hours, then on the peak day, close at Midnight, then travel over to the open West Port to wait 6 hours to cross the international border during Easter. The lines are backed up onto Sierra Junta, now called Carr. A San Felipe.
The best guessing game is? You guest it! Drive to the Port and WAIT. Just your luck you picked the wrong Port. That Port is closed. It’s like losing the Lotto.
The best one yet, the port did not open during the day for both pedestrian and vehicles.
The excuse – “the computer is down”, so everyone sits/stands in line in the hot sweltering heat. The car is over heating with no air conditioner; and the lines for the pedestrians are getting longer and longer with no idea as to when they can cross the International Border. Children are crying, hungry, and may even need to go a restroom in the hot sweltering heat. In side the lobby at the port is air conditioned, no urgency is needed here.
REASONS
• The lack of dedication;
• Inattention of responsibilities of duties:
• Too much trouble to e-mail the results (who is going to know);
• Lunch break (food);
• Dinner break (food);
• Coffee break (and a snack);
• Water cooler break (and more snacks);
• Any break (more food);
• Extra break (who knows what time I return to the desk);
• Copy break (need to copy this for the supervisor and me);
• Latest social break (no comment);
• Sick hour break (headache - need to lay down);
• Bored break (I hate this job);
• I don’t care break (who knows);
• Fall asleep on the night watch (Zzzzzzzzzzzzz);
• Confused (what do I do next?);
• Lets get even with the commuters or the supervisor (retaliations);
• Covering primary or secondary and forgetting about BWT reports; and
• Cover up break for those that want to go to lunch together at the pedestrian lanes. (Maybe they will do me a favor next time).
OTHER FACTORS
• Poor management controls (managing the lanes at the Ports);
• The “order of priority” is not placed in the right order (like the left shoe is on the right foot or wearing blue socks on one foot and red socks on the other foot while wearing a CBP uniform);
• Complacency (everything is okay, everyone knows what to do);
SHAM
Now - the BWT Report that was well thought out and conceived has been reduced to a sham. It is a useless piece of garbage. Computer experts call this “Garbage in garbage out”.
I am requesting that a U.S. Federal Marshall to monitor and over see the BWT Reporting process. I have seen enough lame excuses. We must end this sham and the hoax on the commuters. I have in hand all of the BWT reports with witnesses to prove the sham and the exploitation of the commuters at the international border crossing beyond any reasonable doubt.
RESPECT AND TRUST
We are losing the respect and trust with, if not already, of the commuters at the International Ports. I tried to get clarification with the Public Relation Officer John Campos regarding BWT with no success even with an appointment. I have attempted to get clarification on the BWT reporting with Mr. Toby Sosbee, Program Manager, CBP. He said in part “I am not at liberty to discuss matters with you in any informal setting. In addition, please do not call me at work to discuss these matters … Write a letter …” I tried to get a clarification with the Office of Public Affairs about the BWT reports in Washington with the last person called Stephanie Malin at 202-344-2395. She did not call me back. Laurel Smith was too busy to speak with me, she claims she had a meeting to attend at 202-344-1770 and referred me to Daniel Bloomington 202-344-1575 because she has a meeting to attend; she then referred me to Stephanie Malin. All of the above may already know the problems with the BWT reports and no one wants to talk about it.
As a private citizen, I think as a U.S. Citizen, I am entitled to know how the BWT system works and to get my facts straight. It has nothing to do with National Security or does it? I believe the BWT is for public consumption. Then why “Post” it for the world to see the BWT report? In my opinion, they have given strength and support to my contentions.
NEGATIVE IMPACT TO COMMERCE
As I have outline in this report has a grave impact on commerce on both side of the international border. Damage cause today is damage that affect commerce for many years to come. Commerce in San Ysidro, Tijuana, Calexico, Mexicali, and Los Algodones has dropped more than 30%. My analyst shows wait time is a major factor for the drop of commerce. The problems are with the BWT reports needs to be corrected today and not tomorrow. In Mexico, tomorrow never comes. Por que, manana nunca vienen en Mexico, - tambien avanzadalate. The same can be said for the State side commerce’s along the international border. Western Auto is closed like many other stores in Calexico. It’s too late for them. Food 4 Less has increased prices by 30% and still showing a net profit of less than 1%. Wal-Mart has increased prices twice since the first of the year to off set the loss of business coming from Mexico in Calexico.
HELP
I ask that all reporting to the BWT is done timely and accurately for the benefit of all commuters. Remember we have the disabled; the elderly; (senior citizens); and any other travelers depends on those Border Wait Time reports to cross the International Borders at Calexico/Mexicali Port of Entry weather by car or by foot.
Please help and change the Federal laws, regulations, and policies for the sake of clarity and transparency for any traveler and for the disabled, elderly (senior citizens), pregnant (unborn children), infants and young children. Ask for better cooperation between the Federal Zone and the local municipalities on the Mexico’s side of the border.
It is my understanding that Congressman Ciro Rodriguez is having the same problems with CBP in Texas. Feel free to call me to discuss any of the above issues.
Sincerely
Ray W. Askins, Jr.
ras6057499@hotmail.com
011-52-686-551-9064
Leave a Reply
The BTA reserves the right to post comments it feels are appropriate to creating a dialog around border issues. We are interested in hearing from all points of view and encourage those with unique, constructive perspectives to contribute their view points to help shape the future of our borders. BTA is a tri-national organization and will not accept posts that contain derogatory comments made towards citizens, groups, or organizations of any kind.