- September 2010

The Border Advocate

A Border Trade Alliance newsletter

September 2010

In This Issue

Border Senators Call for Increased Resources for CBP

CBP Commissioner and Border Congressmen Address 21st Century Border Event

In D.C. Meetings, BTA Discusses Crime's Effect on Cross-Border Trade

BTA applauds effort to highlight needs of agency critical to border trade and security

Border Senators Call for Increased CBP Funding in FY 2012

CBP Seal The Border Trade Alliance this week applauded the efforts of U.S. senators from California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas to call attention to the needs of U.S. Customs and Border Protection as the Office of Management and Budget prepares the fiscal year 2012 federal budget recommendations.

In a letter to OMB Acting Director Jeffrey Zients, the eight senators from the U.S.-Mexico border states write that the 2012 budget request represents an opportunity to address the challenge of increasing border trade while meeting border security needs "by devoting additional resources to combating the flow of drugs, money, people, and weapons that are illegally transported between the United States and Mexico."

The senators continue, "Providing vital funding for additional CBP officers and port infrastructure will ensure our border is more secure, while enhancing the flow of trade and commerce."

The Border Trade Alliance this year has consistently been drawing attention to this issue in meetings with Members of Congress and their staff members. BTA board members just completed a round of meetings with representatives, senators and agency officials the week of September 13.

"We greatly appreciate the efforts of our senators to call attention to this critical funding need," Border Trade Alliance President Nelson Balido said. "As the BTA has been pointing out, even in this economic downturn, we simply don't have the staffing levels necessary to keep up with the flow of trade. And increasingly sophisticated smuggling efforts are placing further stresses on our land border ports of entry. Hopefully the administration will get the message that the land borders need more resources."

Rio Grande Valley plays host to successful BTA event

21st Century Border Event Sees CBP Commissioner Tout New Border Vision, Border Congressmen Discuss Security

CBP Commissioner Alan Bersin keynotes the 21st Century Border event

The BTA in September hosted its high-profile 21^st Century Border conference at the McAllen Convention Center in McAllen, Texas. The event featured a keynote address by Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Alan Bersin and a conversation with Congressmen Ciro Rodriguez and Henry Cuellar.

Discussions at the conference centered on security and on ways to improve legitimate cross-border trade and travel.

"Border trade is grappling with trying times," BTA President Nelson Balido said. "As our conference made clear, increasing violence in Mexico and an economy still deep in the throes of a recession has made for one of the most challenging border trade environments we've seen. We're confident, however, that with a commitment to using this period as a chance to make bold change for the border that border communities and industry will emerge stronger."

Commissioner Bersin challenged attendees to alter their calls for increased border agency staffing and improved infrastructure to include advocacy for pre-clearance and trusted traveler and shipper programs that would effectively extend the border beyond the line between San Diego and Brownsville.

The commissioner credited the BTA for being at the forefront of new ideas for border management.

"I want to offer an alternative vision. We have to start thinking about the border in a much more holistic, broad way instead of simply a line on the map," Bersin said.

"We were impressed by Commissioner Bersin's desire not to be caught up in the old ways of thinking about our borders, BTA Chair Kathy Neal said. "We'll continue to work with CBP to ensure that it not only has the resources it needs to effectively carry out its dual mission of enforcement and facilitation, but that industry, communities and government are thinking about our borders in a new way."

The BTA awarded Congressman Rodriguez and Congressman

Congressmen Ciro Rodriguez (seated, left) and Henry Cuellar (seated, right) participate in a panel discussion

Cuellar with the organization's highest honor, the Friend of the Americas Award. The award is bestowed on those leaders who are committed to increasing economic and cultural ties across our borders. Past recipients include former Congressman Jim Kolbe, former Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge and Dr. Herminio Blanco, Mexico's chief negotiator of the North American Free Trade Agreement.

"The congressmen's comments on Thursday made clear that the country is fortunate to have individuals with their commitment to better borders serving in Congress," Balido said. "They clearly understand that cross-border trade can bring positive economic and community-level contributions, but that we must address some critical public safety and security issues in Mexico in order to realize trade's full potential and strengthen the U.S.-Mexico relationship."

Other panelists looked at visa policy, business and security and cross-border rail commerce.

"The BTA conference was rich in valuable content for anyone with a stake in cross-border trade," Neal said. "We thank the City of McAllen for the welcome it provided to the BTA and we look forward to hosting another great event there soon."

Federal advocacy

BTA wraps up another successful round of visits on Capitol Hill and with agencies

The BTA held a series of successful meetings in Washington, D.C. the week of September 13. The group of board members, which included BTA Chair Kathy Neal and Vice Chair Sam Vale, met with Members of Congress and key officials from CBP and State Department.

In its meetings, the group discussed a recently drafted policy paper that draws attention to the effect organized crime is having on legitimate cross-border trade and travel and proposes policies to save trade.

The group also discussed the need to direct additional resources to CBP, which resulted in border senators writing to the Office of Management and Budget and calling for an uptick in resources for the agency in fiscal year 2012.

Congress is eyeing an early October adjournment ahead of the November elections, with a lameduck session before the end of the year becoming increasingly likely.

About the Border Trade Alliance

Founded in 1986, the Border Trade Alliance (BTA) is a grassroots, non-profit organization that serves as a forum for participants to address key issues affecting trade and economic development in North America. Working with entities in Canada, Mexico and the United States, the BTA advocates on behalf of policies and initiatives designed to improve border affairs and trade relations among the three nations.

Our mission is to initiate, monitor and influence public policy and private sector initiatives for the facilitation of international trade and commerce through advocacy, education, issue development, research and analysis, and strategic planning.

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