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The opinions of individual BTA Border Blog contributors don't necessarily reflect the editorial position of Border Trade Alliance as a whole.

Category Archives: Advocacy

Advocacy Updates, Case Studies, and Successes - Border Blog

BTA Welcomes Legislation to Study Wait-times - Urges Swift Passage

Published by Director of Policy.
December 27, 2007 – 8:47 am. Also posted in Legislation 3 Comments

The Border Trade Alliance (BTA), a leading trade organization, issued its strong support for legislation introduced earlier in December by Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) and Congressman Ciro D. Rodriguez (D-TX) to study the impact of growing wait-times at land border crossings along the U.S. border with Canada and Mexico.
In late August, the BTA […]

WHTI: Passport Requirement Delayed

Published by Director of Policy.
December 19, 2007 – 11:00 pm. Also posted in Border News, Travel & Immigration 3 Comments

Border communities in the United States, both north and south, are breathing a sigh of relief. Congress has moved the implementation date for the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) until June 1, 2009 at the earliest. This change means that U.S. citizens will be able to cross our borders at land and […]

WHTI: Get Informed

Published by Director of Policy.
December 14, 2007 – 3:29 pm. Also posted in Travel & Immigration 0 Comments

On Tuesday (December 11, 2007) the Border Trade Alliance (BTA) held a Regional Event in Nogales, Arizona on the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), the forthcoming secure traveler program for cross-border travel. The one-day event highlighted upcoming changes for travel to Canada and Mexico for U.S. citizens, including the new proof of citizenship […]

GSA Administrator Presses for More Infrastructure at the Border

Published by Director of Policy.
December 13, 2007 – 12:14 am. Also posted in Infrastructure, Border Tech 0 Comments

On Monday December 10, 2007, at the 2008 Homeland Security Outlook Conference in Washington, D.C. Lurita Doan, head of the General Services Administration outlined a strategy for her agency to move swiftly to improve infrastructure at our nation’s ports of entry (POE).
Administrator Doan communicated recent efforts by GSA to move forward in addressing issues […]

WHTI Event in Nogales - BTA Advocacy and Outreach in the Media

Published by Director of Policy.
December 11, 2007 – 7:28 am. Also posted in Travel & Immigration, BTA in the News 1 Comment

For millions of U.S. citizens the cross-border travel experience is about to change. As of January 31, 2008, all U.S. citizens must present two forms of government issued identification, including proof of citizenship, upon entry at land and sea ports of entry. The new requirement builds toward full implementation of the Western […]

WHTI: Changing the Travel Experience at the U.S. Border - Part 2

Published by Policy.
November 30, 2007 – 1:00 am. Also posted in Travel & Immigration 2 Comments

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. […]

WHTI: Changing the Travel Experience at the U.S. Border - Part 1

Published by Policy.
November 29, 2007 – 4:41 am. Also posted in Travel & Immigration 1 Comment

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 […]

Focus on Secure Freight: Allocating Resources to Increase Security and Efficiency

Published by Accounting.
October 18, 2007 – 11:28 pm. Also posted in Import & Export 0 Comments

Over $760 billion in trade using surface transportation took place between the United States and its North American Free Trade Agreement partners Canada and Mexico in 2006− 8.9 percent higher than in 2005.¹ This is no small drop in the bucket for our nation’s economy and certainly no small logistical task when it comes […]

Senate Approves $3 Billion for Border Security & Border Fence

Published by Director of Policy.
October 8, 2007 – 11:25 pm. Also posted in Legislation 0 Comments

Last week as part of the FY08 Defense Appropriations bill, the Senate adopted an amendment by Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) to provide $3 billion in emergency spending for more border agents, completion of 700 miles of fencing along the southwest border, and procurement of cameras, ground-based radar and vehicle barriers. Senator Graham’s amendment passed […]

2007 BTA Annual International Conference - A Big Success!

Published by Accounting.
September 30, 2007 – 9:57 pm. 0 Comments

The 2007 Austin Conference focused on three aspects concerning our borders: secure travel,secure freight and secure border. The event not only served as a learning tool, but also provided conference participants the opportunity to network with both public and private sector leaders within the trade community.
Thank you to all who attended this very successful […]

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