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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.

Dec 08

Border Trade Alliance Congratulates Hidalgo County Judge J.D. Salinas on GSA Appointment

Published by Policy.
in Infrastructure, Border News, Press Releases. 0 Comments

Leading border trade group applauds move to inject real-world border experience into key infrastructure agency

PHOENIX – The Border Trade Alliance (BTA) today congratulated Hidalgo County Judge J.D. Salinas on being named as the new Region 7 administrator for the U.S. General Services Administration.

The BTA is especially keen on the hiring because of the influence Judge Salinas could have over border region infrastructure, specifically at the land border ports of entry.

“The Obama Administration made a great choice with its decision to name Judge Salinas as administrator for Region 7,” Border Trade Alliance Chair Kathy Neal said.  “While Hidalgo County is losing a fine county judge, the country - and border communities specifically - are gaining the expertise of someone who has the potential to make a significant impact in the area of border port facilities. We are hopeful that hiring someone from the border region will mean that GSA is sensitive to our area’s unique infrastructure needs.”

The BTA is a longstanding advocate for the development of land border ports of entry that meet not only the country’s security needs but that also facilitate the speedy passage of legitimate trade and travel.

Congressmen Solomon Ortiz and Henry Cuellar recommended Judge Salinas for the GSA post.

“The BTA also wants to thank Congressmen Ortiz and Cuellar for making this key recommendation,” Neal said. “They’re looking out not only for their constituents, but for the entire border.”

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May 26

BTA Testifies Before U.S. Senate Immigration Subcommittee on What Remains in Securing the Border

Published by Policy.
in Legislation, Border Tech, Travel & Immigration. 0 Comments

Sam Vale Testimony Photo

 

BTA Urges Greater Investment in Border Infrastructure and Resources, in Conjunction With Immigration Reform Efforts to Secure Border

Washington D.C. - On May 20th, Border Trade Alliance (BTA) founding board member, Samuel F. Vale provided testimony, on the behalf of the BTA, before the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Immigration, Refugees and Border Security hearing “Securing the Borders and America’s Points of Entry, What Remains to Be Done“. As the owner/operator of the Starr Camargo Bridge and President of Telemundo 40, in Rio Grande, TX, Mr. Vale joined fellow BTA member Mayor Chad Foster of Eagle Pass and leaders from CBP and ICE, to provide recommendations on security at our land borders and ports of entry.

The movement of goods and people at our borders generates 2 billion dollars a day in economic activity. In order to better ensure our economic and physical security, BTA testified that the Federal government must do more to address the decades old backlog in our Immigration Codes, while providing more adequate annual infrastructure and resource investments at U.S. land ports of entry.

Today, a majority of U.S. land ports are overburdened by the combination of vast federal security operations with massive increases in cross-border trade and travel volumes at U.S. border crossings. President Obama’s plans to successfully achieve comprehensive immigration reform hinge on the government’s ability to improve the secure and efficient facilitation of legitimate trade and travel at our nations borders.

The following is BTA’s written testimony submitted to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Refugees and Border Security on May 20th:  Read More →

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Apr 27

DHS Secretary Napolitano Address to Border Trade Alliance International Conference 2009

Published by Events.
in Advocacy, Import & Export, Travel & Immigration. 0 Comments

BTA Napolitano

 

U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano, spoke before the Border Trade Alliance (BTA) International Conference and Congressional Briefing, “New Administration, New Border Policy”, in Washington DC, April 20 & 21, 2009. The Secretary addressed North American Trade, Border Security, Canada and Mexico Relations, Ports of Entry infrastructure and resources, South Bound inspections, and other border policies President Obama’s administration is working on this year.  The full transcript of Secretary Napolitano’s speech and Q&A are below:

Secretary Napolitano: Thank you, thank you. Well, thank you and good morning to everybody. It’s a pleasure to be here and I’ve seen some of you, literally, at the ports. We’ve been traveling quite a bit in my first 90 days as the Secretary of Homeland Security. Yesterday was the three month anniversary of President Obama’s inauguration and I think it can fairly be said that everybody has been running at full speed for those days and so much has been done, but so much is left to be done. So, I want to thank the Border Trade Alliance for having me because the mission of the Department of Homeland Security has such a direct impact on what you do every day.

Last week, I visited three locations on the southern border: El Paso [Texas], Columbus, N.M., and Nogales, Ariz., before heading to Mexico for the second time as Secretary of Homeland Security. That same week, last week, the new Deputy Secretary, she was just confirmed two weeks ago, Jane Hall Lute, visited the northern border at Buffalo and Ottawa. Last month, I also visited Laredo [Texas] and Otay Mesa [Calif.]. And President Obama already has been to Canada and to Mexico. So, clearly you can see, in this first 90 days that we are focused on the border and that we are personally engaged, both from a security standpoint and from a trade standpoint. The two go together. We cannot separate one from the other. Now, to be sure, we face a range of threats at the border from drugs and weapons to human smuggling and human trafficking. And we need to act accordingly to address each of these. So, let me talk about those and then I’ll talk a little bit about the some of the trade impacts. Read More →

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Jan 29

U.S. House Moves Economic Recovery Package Containing Border Ports of Entry Funding

Published by Policy.
in Advocacy, Infrastructure. 0 Comments

In a big win for our North America borders and a major achievement for the BTA’s Border Infrastructure and Resources Campaign, on Wednesday January 29th, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation intended to address the growing economic crisis facing our nation that contains $1.15 billion in funding for infrastructure improvements at land ports of entry.  While the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act passed along party-lines in the House, the “Border Ports of Entry” funding received bi-partisan support from a group of 11 House Members, including Representatives Henry Cuellar (D-TX), Silvestre Reyes (D-TX), Ciro Rodriguez (D-TX), Ruben Hinojosa (D-TX), Solomon Ortiz (D-TX), Bart Stupak (D-MI), Bob Filner (D-CA), John M. McHugh (R-NY), Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ), Steve Kagen, M.D. (D-WI), and Raul Grijalva (D-AZ). BTA collaborated with the group of border legislators, early in November, building support and urging House leadership to include $5 billion in infrastructure investment to upgrade U.S. land ports of entry to support cross-border trade.

The language from the summary of the bill specific to ports funding reads:

“Border Ports of Entry: $1.15 billion to construct GSA and Customs and Border Protection land ports of entry to improve border security, make trade and travel easier and reduce wait times, and to procure non-intrusive inspection technology at sea ports of entry, which is used to scan cargo containers to reduce the risk that containers can be used to smuggle weapons of mass destruction.”

BTA would like to congratulate these border state representatives, in what is a landmark first step in bringing critical funding that will help address the large, decades-old back-log of infrastructure needs at U.S. border crossings that has restricted the full potential of cross-border trade among the NAFTA trading partners and will improve the efficiency of security operations at our border crossings.

BTA kindly asks it’s members and border stakeholders to send a brief “thank you” or letter of support to the outstanding group of Border representatives, for their efforts in this landmark achievement.   Send a comment or letter today!

The economic stimulus measure now moves on to the Senate, where a similar level of funding is being considered for land port infrastructure.  The Senate will debate the measure over the course of several days or weeks and if passed any differences between the House and Senate bills will have to be reconciled before port infrastructure funding and the full economic recovery measure can be presented to President Obama for his signature.  If you would like, you can also write the senate to ask them to ensure “Border Ports of Entry” funding remains in the final economic stimulus bill.  Send a letter to the Senate today!

Border Trade Alliance is very encouraged by the results thus far. We will continue to urge Congress to provide a sustained and dedicated level of funding to address the border infrastructure back-log and that the dollars spent have a direct positive impact in enhancing the efficiency of trade and commercial flow of goods and people and providing for more effective security at our nation’s 166 border crossings.

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Nov 03

BTA Launches Border Infrastructure & Resources Campaign

Published by Director of Policy.
in Advocacy, Infrastructure. 2 Comments

BIR Campaing Image

The Border Trade Alliance (BTA) is proud to announce the launch of the Border Infrastructure and Resource (BIR) advocacy campaign.

The BIR Campaign is built on the success achieved last year with our Border Wait Times Campaign, which brought nationwide attention to the problem of delays at land ports of entry at the U.S.-Canada and U.S.-Mexico borders. The Wait Times Campaign resulted in hearings, public forums and Congressional legislation to address the problem. The BIR Campaign will utilize BTA’s relationship with Congress, federal agencies and stakeholders, along with the BTA’s effective media and advocacy resources to bring attention to infrastructure and resource requirements at our land ports of entry.

As you are aware, U.S. land ports of entry play an important role in sustaining cross-border trade and commerce, which has been a bright spot in our otherwise troubled economy. Last year, U.S. land ports contributed more than $363 billion directly to our national economy, over 2.5% of the annual U.S. gross national product.

As significant as it is to the economy, border trade relies on overburdened and outdated infrastructure at our crossings and transportation corridors. Recently, U.S. Customs and Border Protection stated it will need $5 billion in infrastructure upgrades over the next decade to continue to facilitate the existing level of cross-border trade in a secure and efficient environment.

The BTA BIR Campaign is already making an impact. As a result of timely BTA leadership, we have successfully built upon our established support within Congress for increased federal attention to our land ports and their vital contribution to our national economy. Recently we joined in support of the call by border state Congressional members to request the immediate investment in land port infrastructure as part of any economic stimulus legislation being considered by Congress.

We anticipate that the best opportunity to address the critical border crossing infrastructure and resource needs will occur early next year when Congress considers a major spending bill to fund the remaining federal agencies, like the General Services Administration, that are currently still operating under the FY 2008 federal budget.

BTA asks it’s members and all border stakeholders to participate what is certain to be a successful campaign.  To assist the BTA, we ask you to identify your border ports of entry specific infrastructure and resource needs or simply to share your ideas on what could improve our ports.  We plan to provide the information to policy-makers in Washington, D.C., as examples of how increased federal investment at our land ports of entry and trade corridors can help our border communities, its businesses and the national economy.  Please contact us…

BTA has also successfully engaged the media in their reporting and coverage of this critically important issue - including Forbes, Business Journal, and leading trade / supply chain magazines. Please view and utilize the press release on the border blog…

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Oct 03

Environmental, Economic, & Cross-Border Congestion - Yuma, AZ

Published by Policy.
in Advocacy, Environ & Health, Infrastructure. 1 Comment
Border Infrastructure & Resources: Ensuring North American Competitiveness in a 21st Century Global Economy:  Presented by Ms. Maria Luisa O’Connell, President, Border Trade Alliance

mlo.jpg

Ms. Maria Luisa O'Connell

Border Trade Alliance President, Maria Luisa O’Connell, delivered a presentation entitled “Border Infrastructure & Resources: Ensuring North American Competitiveness in a 21st Century Global Economy” that sought to convey urgency in addressing insufficient resources and infrastructure at our land ports of entry, in the context of economic implications beyond our border communities, to North America at large.

Since the ratification of the North American Trade Agreement trade and commerce has surged at U.S. land ports of entry, which are responsible for conducting more than 3/4 of a trillion dollars in trade annually with Canada and Mexico.   Meanwhile, over the past seven years, federal homeland security operations at U.S. land ports have also greatly expanded,  yet federal investment to maintain and upgrade port infrastructure and resources has not kept pace.  As a result, many ports are experiencing reduced traffic, yet longer cross-border delays.

This increasing trend, a symptom of border congestion becomes increasingly alarming, given the current economic state, in which one of the few bright spots is international exports trade.  U.S. exports hit a record $1.62 trillion in 2007, up 12 percent from 2006, and accounted for 11.2 percent of the U.S. gross domestic product.  Canada and Mexico rank as the top two export markets for U.S. goods. In a recent Wall Street Journal article, which stated

“Much of the world may be struggling with the economic downturn, but life has been getting better in Columbus, Ind., Kingsport, Tenn., and Waterloo, Iowa.  These out-of-the-way places have become trade hot spots as U.S. exports, fueled by the dollar’s fall, continue to provide a rare spark in an otherwise gloomy economy.”

“….exports have become a key to greater local prosperity more than at any time in decades.”

a map of the U.S. illustrated exports have not only provided a large chunk of the overall GDP for border regions and urban areas surrounding large sea ports, but also provide a significant percentage wealth for the interior regions of the nation.

As the premier tri-national organization representing border communities and trade, the Border Trade Alliance (BTA), has expanded its advocacy efforts to reverse the alarming trends of decreasing federal investment and growing wait-times to protect and enhance cross-border trade and commerce, a significant contributor toward our national economy. You may download the BTA Border Infrastructure and Resources Presentation (PDF), or watch the presentation in full on our newly launched beta of BTA TV:

Read More →

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Sep 23

DOT Addresses Border Congestion and Transportation Infrastructure

Published by Director of Policy.
in Infrastructure. 0 Comments

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) recently announced its efforts to accelerate three border infrastructure projects to address the continued cross-border delays at our nation’s ports of entry.  The Border Trade Alliance (BTA), a strong partner with federal agencies and Congress on border issues, initiated and continues to lead its ongoing campaign to bring federal investment and resources toward this critical issue, which has significant national economic impacts.

In early summer 2008, the BTA broadcast notice of DOT’s Border Congestion Relief Program to stakeholders representing border communities and ports of entry.  DOT’s program is designed to expedite border infrastructure project approval within the federal government that involve unique solutions, developed by stakeholders, to address border congestion and develop alternative sources for funding, innovated project delivery for border transportation needs. The BTA welcomes DOT’s attention in making transportation infrastructure a priority along our borders with Canada and Mexico, especially in light of the growing concerns associated with cross-border delays and the large gap between funding available and the large need for infrastructure upgrades.  The BTA continues to advocate that federal policy-makers make border infrastructure and resource investment at our nation’s ports of entry a top priority.

DOT’s selection of three projects, in Blaine, Washington; Laredo, Texas; and San Ysidro, California; represent a few of the many border transportation infrastructure projects that require immediate and significant federal investment in order to address growing border delays and their threat to our national economic stability.

U.S. land ports of entry are responsible for conducting more than 3/4 of a trillion dollars in trade annually with Canada and Mexico.  Since the ratification of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) trade and commerce has surged at U.S. border crossings.  Meanwhile during the past seven years, federal homeland security operations at U.S. land ports have also greatly expanded.  However, federal investment to maintain and upgrade port infrastructure and resources has not kept pace.  Many ports are experiencing reduced traffic, yet longer cross-border delays.  As the premier tri-national organization representing border communities and trade, the BTA, has expanded its advocacy efforts through its Border Infrastructure and Resource (BIR) Campaign to reverse the alarming trends of decreasing federal investment and growing wait-times to protect and enhance cross-border trade and commerce, a significant contributor toward our national economy.

The BTA hosted DOT Secretary Peters during our international conference in Washington, D.C. during the spring of 2007 and the BTA has been working closely with senior officials from DOT’s Federal Highway Administration regarding a number of specific concerns and projects along both the U.S.-Canada and U.S.-Mexico borders.

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Aug 15

BTA, Key Federal Officials Meet to Discuss Border Security and Trade

Published by Director of Policy.
in Advocacy, Infrastructure. 0 Comments
BTA Lead Panel of Experts on Effective Trade and Commerce

El Paso, TX - On Tuesday, August 12th, Border Trade Alliance (BTA) President Maria Luisa O’Connell addressed an audience of top-level policy-makers and border officials as part of the 5th Annual Border Security Conference. The event, hosted by Congressman Silvestre Reyes (D-TX) and the University of Texas El-Paso focused on development of a Bi-National Strategy for Border Protection and Effective Commerce.

BTA President O’Connell addressed the topic of the conference during her presentation. Dallas Morning News quotes Ms. O’Connell in its media coverage of the event:

“Violence has had a large impact on border trade because it affects our perceptions of public safety,” said Maria Louisa O’Connell, president of the Border Trade Alliance. “We have to be careful that we give people an accurate understanding based on facts, not scare stories.”

Ms. O’Connell, addressing the fifth annual conference on border security at the University of Texas at El Paso, said the nation’s preoccupation with tightening security along the border in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks has had an adverse effect on trade.

“That is why one of our biggest challenges now is to restore a sense of balance between trade and security,” she said Tuesday. “The money from trade generates taxes, which pays for homeland security.”

During the “Effective Trade and Commerce” panel at this week’s conference, BTA President O’Connell was joined by panelists Lic. Jorge Cazares Castillo, Director of Border Affairs at the Secretary of Economy, Mexico; Jamie Estrada, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Manufacturing at the U.S. Department of Commerce; and Thomas Winkowski the Assistant Commissioner, Office of Field Operations at U.S. Customs and Border Protection. During her presentation, BTA President O’Connell also stressed, to the many high-level federal officials attending the conference, the need for federal attention and action on border issues, which are of national significance:

“We have to continue to coordinate as partners to examine the comprehensive cross-border system along both our borders with Canada and Mexico, matching resources with needs and ensuring that in providing for the security of our homeland we also protect our ability to conduct legitimate cross-border economic activity that is a critical component to our national economic health.”

The Border Trade Alliance is continuing its efforts to bring national attention to the critical need for increased federal investment in infrastructure and resources at our nation’s land ports of entry. During the past year, the BTA has brought forward a groundswell of momentum behind the growing concern of increased delays at land border crossings throughout the U.S-Canada and U.S. –Mexico borders. BTA advocacy efforts during the past year toward Congress, federal agencies and national media have resulted in numerous Congressional hearings, countless national media articles, and the introduction of several major bills designed to address the underlying issues driving cross-border delays.

Some examples of BTA success in generating national attention and results from last year’s Border Wait-Times campaign:

BTA Requests Federal Action to Support Economic Viability of Nation’s Ports

Americas 2020 Summit: BTA Recommends Solutions to 21st Century Border Issues

House Holds Hearing on BTA Endorsed Border Legislation

BTA Podcast: Senator Cornyn and Commerce Secretary Gutierrez on Border Delays

BTA Podcast: Senator Hutchison & Congressman Reyes on Wait-Times Legislation

Border Trade Alliance Issues Support for Critical Legislation Impacting Border Wait-Times

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

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

GSA Administrator Presses for More Infrastructure at the Border

BTA Hosts Successful International Conference on Border Issues

BTA Grassroots Campaign on Border Wait Times

Increased Inspections at the Ports of Entry: 60% check of identification

House Committee Holds Hearing on Wait-times Part 2

House Committee Holds Hearing on Wait-times Part 1

BTA Testifies at U.S. House Committee Hearing on Balancing Security and Commerce

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Jul 24

BTA Requests Federal Action to Support Economic Viability of Nation’s Ports

Published by Policy.
in Advocacy, Infrastructure, Press Releases. 1 Comment
Urges Senate and GSA to Expedite Delivery of Critical Border Infrastructure

Wednesday, July 23, 2008, Washington, D.C. - In a letter to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs, responsible for Department of Homeland Security and General Services Administration (GSA) oversight, Border Trade Alliance (BTA) urged expedited fulfillment of infrastructure projects at U.S. land ports of entry (POE), vital to North American economic activity. Overburdened and aging infrastructure at U.S. POEs, combined with new security checks, is now unable to sustainably support an explosive increase in surface trade, up 172% since 1993, totaling $797 billion last year between the United States and its North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners. The result of which is massive congestion at our borders to the detriment of millions of lost dollars per day in supply chain inefficiencies, worker time, damaged goods, lost tourism, negative environmental impacts, and wasted fuel.

While Congress has appropriated funds to both DHS and GSA toward their respective efforts at our land ports, BTA specifically urges the Senate Committee to press GSA and presumptive Administrator Jim Williams, who may be appointed after a Senate hearing this Thursday, to utilize any remaining FY08 funding to expedite the delivery of current port infrastructure projects, as well as fulfill previously outlined strategies and commitments to furthering investment in upgraded and improved infrastructure at U.S. land ports to correspond with the significant boom in trade at our Northern and Southern borders.

“GSA has made great strides and taken positive steps toward delivering much needed border infrastructure, however we need to continue to stress the importance of land ports of entry to our national economy.” said Maria Luisa O’Connell, President of the BTA.

Earlier this year, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Assistant Commissioner Thomas Winkowski, acknowledged the need to modernize land border facilities and reduce delays entering the country, calling for infrastructure improvements totaling a minimum of $500 million per year for the next 10 years to enhance and upgrade U.S. land border crossings in order to best fulfill its primary mission of facilitating the efficient and secure movement of people and goods.

BTA feels the Senate, GSA, and the nation should be alarmed by recent statistics that illustrate the economic impacts of inadequate border infrastructure and cross-border congestion. According to the Texas Transportation Institute’s 2007 Urban Mobility Report, congestion caused urban Americans to travel 4.2 billion hours more and to purchase an extra 2.9 billion gallons of fuel for a total estimated cost of $78 billion, with border regions being some of the most affected. In 2006, El Paso had 749,000 trucks northbound crossing from Mexico. The average truck endures an average one hour delay, with delays of up to four hours not uncommon, costing shippers more than $100 million annually.

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Dec 13

GSA Administrator Presses for More Infrastructure at the Border

Published by Director of Policy.
in Advocacy, 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 impacted by overburden infrastructure and facilities at POEs along both the U.S.-Canada and U.S.-Mexico border. Specifically, Administrator Doan identified the growing concern of increased wait-times experienced at our border crossings.

“The Border Trade Alliance (BTA) appreciates Administrator Doan’s leadership and commitment to dedicate federal resources and improve infrastructure at our nation’s ports of entry,” said Maria Luisa O’Connell, President of the BTA, “What is good for our ports of entry is good for the health of our national economy.” Read More →

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