The Voice of the Border: Trade, immigration, infrastructure, health, agriculture, technology
BTA Podcast: Senator Hutchison & Congressman Reyes on Wait-Times Legislation: Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadSenator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) and Congressman Silvestre Reyes (D-TX) recently addressed the attendees of the BTA International Conference in Washington D.C. on their legislative efforts to address a number of components contributing to delays at our borders. Senator Hutchison and Congressman Rodriguez have introduced and pressed for the passage of […]
Border Trade Alliance (BTA) is stunned that the most determined member of this Administration committed to building more capacity at our nations ports of entry has resigned. Lurita Doan, Administrator of U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), has single handedly energized a moribund national effort to build more lanes, inspection booths, bridges, and ports […]
On Thursday January 3rd, 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.” In this meeting, members of the Department of Homeland Security, General Services Administration, Government Accountability Office and numerous private enterprises gathered […]
REAL ID
What Is It?
The REAL ID Act of 2005 was signed into law on May 11, 2005 as an attachment to the “Emergency Supplemental Appropriation for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Tsunami Relief, 2005.” According to the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) website, the REAL ID Act is “a nationwide effort […]
Yesterday, we shared background information on the forthcoming largest change in cross-border travel to-date. Today we will focus on some of the concerns that have arisen in anticipation of WHTI being implemented at land ports-of-entry. The BTA has supported WHTI as a means to improve security and the efficiency of cross-border travel. […]
Border Trade Alliance (BTA) has reported on the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) several times this past year because of the imminent deadlines set by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). For many, WHTI has been a cause of great concern and confusion. What is it about this travel initiative that makes […]
The Border Trade Alliance (BTA) today expressed its disappointment in the passage of Senate Amendment 2797 to H.R. 3074, the FY2008 Appropriations for the Departments of Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and related agencies. The amendment, proposed by Senator Byron L. Dorgan (D-ND), prohibits the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) from continuing a […]
The Border Trade Alliance (BTA) today voiced its opposition to Senate Amendment 2797 to H.R. 3074, the FY2008 Appropriations for the Departments of Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and related agencies. The amendment, proposed by Senator Byron L. Dorgan, would prohibit the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) from continuing a pilot program to […]
On Monday August 27, 2007, the Border Trade Alliance (BTA) submitted comments in response to the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for implementation of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) at land and sea ports-of-entry. The BTA has long supported secure travel programs put forward by the federal government. However through its comments […]
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… […]
