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Author Archives: PR


Border Trade Alliance President Accepts Obama Appointment to CBP

 
O’Connell’s Broad Expertise on Border Issues A Big Win For Border Region & Trade
WASHINGTON, DC - After 11 years as president of the Border Trade Alliance (BTA), Maria Luisa O’Connell  stepped down to accept an appointment by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano to the position of Assistant Commissioner for Public Affairs for […]

BTA & California - Baja California Groups Press for Local Input in Border Crossing Planning

 
Border Trade Alliance, San Ysidro Smart Border Coalition, and Local Business Urge the California U.S. Senate Delegation to Direct GSA to Involve Local Stakeholders in Port Design
Washington D.C. July 7, 2009 - Border Trade Alliance (BTA) joined the San Ysidro Smart Border Coalition, represented by the leaders from the San Ysidro Chamber of Commerce and […]

BTA Pressing for Border Priorities in Federal Spending Bill

 
Border Trade Alliance Urges Congressional Attention to Continued Underfunding of Aged Land Ports and Border Security Initiatives
Washington D.C. July 1, 2009 - Today, Border Trade Alliance (BTA) pressed the House and Senate Appropriations Committees to ensure secure trade and travel at our borders is made a priority, in-line with the $830 billion in annual […]

Secretary Napolitano Appoints BTA to DHS HSAC Southwest Border Task Force

 
Select Group of Border & Security Experts Will Advise Department of Homeland Security, Secretary Napolitano, & Obama Administration on U.S. - Mexico Border Operations
Border Trade Alliance is pleased to announce the appointment of President Maria Luisa O’Connell, as well as BTA Board Member Pancho Kinney, to the newly formed Homeland Security Advisory Council (HSAC) Southwest […]

BTA Launches TWHTI - Twitter Western Hemispher Travel Initiative

BTA urges border stakeholders to share their experiences throughout the first months of WHTI via Twitter - Yep it’s Called TWHTI!
On June 1st, 2009, the first day of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) full implementation, Border Trade Alliance (BTA), is asking U.S. and Canadian citizens to use Twitter to post their cross-border travel experiences […]

Richardson as Third Border State Official to Obama Cabinet Signals New Border Policy

Trade Group Calls for Continued Focus of Commerce on International Cooperation on Cross-border trade
December 4, 2008, Phoenix, AZ - Yesterday, President-elect Barack Obama announced the nomination of a third border-state elected official, Governor Bill Richardson (D-NM), to lead the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce).  The Border Trade Alliance (BTA), as the leading tri-national organization representing […]

Importance of US Border Represented in Appointments at DHS and State

Trade Group Offers Specific Recommendations to Border state Nominees in President-elect Obama’s Cabinet
December 2, 2008, Phoenix, AZ - Yesterday, President-elect Barack Obama confirmed the nomination of two border-state elected officials, Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and Governor Janet Napolitano (D-AZ), as the respective nominees for the high-profile and important Cabinet positions of Secretary of […]

BTA & TIA Recommend Alternative to DHS’ US-VISIT Air-Exit

Border Trade Alliance (BTA), the leading organization representing border communities and trade, submitted comments in response to the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for implementation of an air-exit system under the US-VISIT foreign-traveler security program. DHS’ proposed rule would require commercial air-carriers to implement and manage the Congressionally mandated exit system […]

Benefits of NAFTA Threatened by Cross-Border Wait-times: Legislators push to study effects on Economy

Despite the recent political rhetoric against it, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) continues to be a resounding economic success and is largely driving growing U.S. exports, which remain a bright spot in an otherwise troubled economy.
Consider the following statistics regarding cross-border trade in North America:
- In 1992 prior to NAFTA, according the […]

Chairman Pete Sepulveda Quoted in article: New travel rules will impact locals

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 […]

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