This week, Border Trade Alliance (BTA) submitted comments supporting the Travel Industry Association’s (TIA) efforts to offer a common-sense alternative approach to the proposal by DHS on the US-VISIT air exit program. In our first policy discussions podcast, we feature with Rick Webster, Vice President of Public Policy for the Travel Industry Association, a non-profit trade organization representing the interests of the U.S. travel industry, who speaks about the topic of federal secure traveler programs, specifically their work on an alternative solutions to the DHS proposal for US-VISIT air exit program, endorsed by the BTA. Matt Howe, Director of Public Policy for the BTA, also offers his perspective on the issue, with an overview of BTA’s history regarding US-VISIT and what it means to travelers at our borders.
More information on the subject:
US-VISIT is a federal secure traveler program that requires foreign travelers to register upon entry and exit to the United States. The Department of Homeland Security recently issued notice of a proposed rule to implement the exit portion at U.S. air and sea ports. However, The proposed rule is the culmination of a recommendation put forward by the 9-11 Commission and adopted into law by Congress to ensure that the status of foreign visitors can be tracked to ensure that foreign travelers who overstay their visa are identified. However, DHS’ rule places the burden of this federal mandate upon the private sector in order to reduce the federal cost of implementing and managing the program and in doing so, circumvents two of the primary responsibilities of DHS and the federal government, counter-terrorism and homeland security.
The BTA and TIA were part of the Data Management Improvement Act (DMIA) Task Force in 2002-2004, which was tasked with making recommendations on entry-and-exit controls at U.S. International ports of entry. These recommendations were integrated into what is today US-VISIT. The BTA and TIA both serve on the Departments of State and Homeland Security’s Secure Borders Open Doors Advisory Committee.
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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.