Texas Border Business –
EL PASO, TEXAS – The Border Trade Alliance in testimony before a hearing of members of the U.S. Congressional Border Caucus said that a House effort to advance immigration reform legislation this fall could present a way to improve resources at the nation’s land border ports of entry.
Testifying on behalf of the BTA, Jesse Hereford, chairman of the organization, questioned a June Senate immigration bill that would double the size of the Border Patrol to over 40,000 agents as part of a so-called border “surge,” while directing vastly fewer resources to Customs and Border Protection at the ports of entry.
Hereford said increased staffing at the ports could both improve security and provide economic gains.
“CBP officers could mean more personnel devoted to processing legitimate trade and travel, helping to alleviate the often hours-long backups that plague our ports,” Hereford testified.
In his testimony, Hereford said a House immigration bill could also improve infrastructure at the nation’s aging port facilities. Outmoded infrastructure also contributes to border congestion.
Hereford spoke in favor of legislation that would allow the Department of Homeland Security and General Services Administration to enter into agreements with private sector entities and local governments to reimburse the agencies for staffing and infrastructure improvements. Hereford discussed a public-private partnership concept that is currently being pilot tested in El Paso and at South Texas ports.
“Public-private partnerships have the potential to dramatically improve staffing and infrastructure conditions along our borders by injecting capital and technical expertise where it is needed most,” Hereford said.
El Paso and the South Texas ports were selected as pilots for projects under “reimbursable fee agreements,” which allows them to reimburse CBP for improved staffing levels. In his comments Monday, Hereford said the BTA also believes the legislation that established the reimbursement authority also allows for infrastructure improvements, and he welcomed the congressmen’s assistance in confirming that interpretation with CBP.
“I appreciate Rep. Beto O’Rourke and his fellow Congressional Border Caucus members for giving the BTA the opportunity to testify,” Hereford said. “It’s important that our elected leaders hear from the trade community about the challenges we’re facing here in the border region. As I said in my testimony, I believe a House immigration bill presents a historic opportunity not only to fix a broken immigration system but to address numerous border needs as well.” TBB
