U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Robert C. Bonner and Canada Border Services Agency President Alain Jolicoeur signed a Container Security Initiative partnership arrangement to move forward on the commitment of both countries to securing North American trade. 

    “The United States and Canada have implemented revolutionary initiatives to secure our countries borders, yet improve the flow of legitimate trade and people across our borders.  Together, we have reinvented our mutual border and how we manage it,” said Bonner.  “The agreement we signed represents a commitment between the U.S. and Canada to partner in one of the most revolutionary initiatives, CSI, to extend our mutual zones of security outward to foreign seaports.” 

    The CSI partnership arrangement was signed during the 12th meeting since 9/11 under the U.S./Canada Accord on our Shared Border and Bonner’s last as commissioner of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

    “The signing of this arrangement is yet another example of how Canada and the United States work closely together to ensure the safety, security, and prosperity of both our countries,” said Jolicoeur.  “CSI is a valuable program that will assist us to ensure that the North American perimeter remains secure while improving the flow of trade at our maritime ports.”

    The United States and Canada continue to take significant steps forward in  coordinated efforts to increase the overall effectiveness of the respective border security programs.  Goals/accomplishments include:

    •FAST

    •NEXUS

    •Harmonized commercial processing and equivalent processes for commercial shipments, to the greatest extent possible.

    •Harmonized timeframes for advance electronic cargo reporting.

    •Implemented the 24-Hour Rule for marine shipments destined to North America.

    •Collaborated in the development of automated risk assessment systems, tools and methods.

    •Improved infrastructure and border processing times.

    This is the latest meeting in a series regularly held by the heads of the U.S. and Canadian border agencies.  Under the Smart Border Action Plan, Canada and the United States have worked together to achieve common goals in maintaining a secure border and facilitating trade and travel between the two countries.

    “I am extremely pleased with the progress made at these meetings, “ said Jolicoeur. “Canada and the U.S. continue to work together to ensure our collective security and economic prosperity.  In particular, I would like to thank Commissioner Bonner for his vision, his wisdom, his dedication and his leadership. It has been a pleasure working with him and I look forward to working with the next Commissioner to continue with our success in meeting the objectives of the Smart Border Action Plan.”

CBP budget

    President George Bush recently signed into law the Fiscal Year 2006 Appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security. CBP received a total budget of $7.1 billion, or an approximate increase of 11 percent. The FY06 Budget will help CBP strengthen its priority mission of preventing terrorists and terrorist weapons from getting into the United States.
    This budget enables CBP to carry out its traditional missions, including interdicting the inadmissible aliens, apprehending aliens attempting to illegally enter the United States, protecting American agriculture and the environment from harmful pests and diseases, collecting import duties, and enforcing U.S. customs, trade, immigration and all other federal laws at the borders.

Highlights

    Additional Border Patrol Agents.

The Budget includes $236 million for the hiring of 1,000 additional Border Patrol agents, as well as more than 300 operational/mission support personnel. This increase is in addition to the 500 Border Patrol agents provided in the FY 2005 Emergency Supplemental. The budget

also provides funding for facilities and other infrastructure costs to accommodate the increased workforce.

    Automated Targeting Systems Enhancement. The budget contains $28.3 million for automated targeting systems, including funds to enhance CBP’s targeting and risk analysis capabilities. ATS aids CBP in identifying high-risk cargo and passengers.

    Container Security Initiative. The budget provides an additional $5.4 million and 12 positions for the expansion of the CSI program, which targets and pre-screens high-risk cargo before it reaches the United States. CSI has a preventive and deterrent effect on the use of global containerized shipping to conceal weapons of mass destruction and other terrorist weapons.

    Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism. The budget includes an additional $8.2 million to enhance CBP’s ability to conduct supply chain security validations. The C-TPAT partnership between CBP and the international trade community helps secure the global supply chain, from foreign nations to U.S. ports of arrival, to terrorists and terrorist weapons.

    Immigration Advisory Program. The budget allows for the expansion of IAP by two additional overseas airports. The expansion of IAP will improve overall security by enabling CBP to identify and intercept more suspected terrorists and passengers attempting to use fraudulent identification or documents before they board commercial aircraft bound for United States.

CBP air investments

    •$20 million for the replacement of 12 Vietnam-era helicopters.

    •Funding for palletized sensor systems for P-3 long-range tracker aircraft, P-3 service life extension, and manned, covert surveillance aircraft.

    •Funding for the operation of long-range radar. This technology is used to detect and intercept aircraft attempting to avoid detection while entering U.S. airspace.

    Border tactical infrastructure. The budget includes funding to continue the construction on the San Diego border infrastructure system as well for additional tactical infrastructure projects in Arizona.
    Advanced Training Center. The budget provides funding for the expansion of CBP’s Advanced Training Center in Harpers Ferry, W.V.

    Automation Modernization. The budget provides continued support for Automated Commercial Environment and the related International Trade Data System which permits other government agencies to link into ACE.