The Border Trade Alliance shared the following letter with House and Senate appropriators regarding the organization’s support for funding needed port of entry improvements in Calexico, California at the Calexico West Port of Entry.

May 9, 2018

Hon. Rodney Frelinghuysen
Chairman
U.S. House Committee on Appropriations
H-305, The Capitol
Washington, DC 20515

Hon. Nita Lowey
Ranking Member
U.S. House Committee on Appropriations
H-305, The Capitol
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Chairman Frelinghuysen and Ranking Member Lowey:

The Border Trade Alliance believes that modernized infrastructure at our nation’s land border ports of entry is essential to enhancing our security and our economic competitiveness. Facilities that are constructed to process today’s cross-border trade and travel volumes not only reduce congestion and backups, but also reduce the likelihood of smuggling and illegal trafficking.

To that end, the BTA urges your committee to include $248 million for Phase 2 renovation and expansion construction of the Calexico West Land Port of Entry linking Calexico, California and Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico in the fiscal year 2019 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill.

The Calexico West project is central to the strength of the region’s economy. According to Census data, the value of goods exports to Mexico – California’s top export destination – was over $25 billion in 2016, and Mexican imports to California were valued at over $46 billion. Calexico is a major crossing point in this critically important trade relationship.

The new construction reflects the port’s importance. Upon completion, it will feature 16 northbound lanes and five southbound lanes, 32 secondary inspection areas for both northbound and southbound traffic, and 340 parking spaces. Phase 2, which constitutes the balance of the port reconfiguration project, calls for new lane construction and a pedestrian processing facility.

The modernized Calexico West project is an essential component of our nation’s economic competitiveness and the security of the homeland. The BTA respectfully requests that the House Appropriations Committee fund the project in the FY 2019 budget bill.

Sincerely,

Britton Clarke
President