The United States has become one of the first nations to join the World Customs Organization’s newly adopted strategy to secure global trade. U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Robert C. Bonner recently submitted the Declaration of Intent to adopt the World Customs Organization “Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade.”

    The WCO consists of 166 member nations, representing 99-percent of global trade. The framework represents the WCO’s effort to secure supply chains throughout the world, while allowing trade to move faster, smoother, and more predictably. For the first time in history, a common set of standards will be implemented to secure cargo moving into, through, and from all ports of the world. It is a global response to terrorists, organized criminals, smugglers, as well as other illegal activities.

    “The adoption by the WCO of the Framework of Standards represents a global response to the threat of terrorism,” Bonner said. “The framework makes safer, worldwide trade a reality. Its implementation by customs authorities around the world will revolutionize the security of trade, dealing a blow to international terrorists.

    “Through efforts such as the Container Security Initiative, Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism, and the 24-Hour Rule, CBP has taken unprecedented actions to secure America’s borders. Trade security must also be international in scope, and I applaud the WCO’s leadership in pursuing this global strategy.”

    Bonner joined the Customs Director Generals of the European Union, Japan, Australia, and Canada in announcing their commitment to provide aid to the developing nations that exhibit the political will to implement the security framework but, require assistance to do so. Bonner also announced the creation of the Capacity Building Division within the CBP Office of International Affairs to help developing nations implement the framework of security standards. This new CBP office will work closely with the Directorate for Capacity Building at the WCO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium.

    “Nations that exhibit a true will to purchase screening technology and implement minimum security measures will need – and deserve – assistance,” Bonner said. “Implementing these standards will improve the flow of trade for these smaller, developing nations thereby expanding their economies and improving the quality of life.”

SENTRI lanes in San Ysidro

    U.S. and Mexican government officials recently inaugurated two new SENTRI vehicle traffic lanes at the San Ysidro port of entry. There are now four fast-pass traffic lanes available at the world’s busiest land border crossing to process travelers and vehicles that have passed background checks and inspections.

  “U.S. Customs and Border Protection is working to expand SENTRI and other expedited traveler programs around the country,” Bonner. “The addition of the fourth SENTRI lane at the San Ysidro port of entry will help CBP officers to quickly process low-risk, pre-approved travelers so that we can focus our attention on identifying potential terrorists, criminals and others who attempt to exploit our borders for illegal purposes.”

    Following a press conference, officials from both countries swung open a gate to open the fourth SENTRI lane that is expected to facilitate the processing of some of the more than 7,200 cars that enter the United States each day through the fast-pass lanes at the world’s busiest land border station. The gate, located just north of the U.S.-Mexico border, will allow the flexible use of the newest lane to process both SENTRI and normal vehicles as traffic conditions warrant.

    Daily, the port processes an average of 55,000 vehicles entering the U.S. on its 24 northbound traffic lanes.

    The third SENTRI lane opened on June 10 to test the installation of new identification technology that was recently installed on both lanes to allow processing of vehicles both with older transponder technology and new proximity card equipment. The fourth SENTRI lane, which required installation of bollards and the gate to make it a convertible lane, was recently brought on-line.

    The trusted traveler program is a critical component of the 22-point accord between the U.S. and Mexico and the addition of the new SENTRI lanes will help meet the principal of facilitating low risk travelers.

    Currently, almost 60,000 low risk cross-border travelers are registered in the SENTRI program in the San Diego-Tijuana region. A new SENTRI lane is planned for the Calexico port of entry later this year. The SENTRI program, or Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection, was implemented at the Otay Mesa port in 1995.

Job search

    CBP recently announced the launch of a proactive recruiting campaign in preparation for newly funded positions in FY 2006.

    Emergency supplemental legislation and President Bush’s FY06 budget call for the hiring of an additional 710 agents by the end of FY06. The hiring of these new agents comes in addition to the standard attrition hires that supplement the several hundred agents who retire, transfer, or leave for medical reasons over the course of a year.

    This national effort will be led by CBP’s Office of Human Resources Management and CBP Border Patrol agents, trained in recruitment techniques, who will fan out across the country to maximize CBP’s ability to reach potential applicants. In addition to national recruiting efforts, these Border Patrol recruiters will participate in local recruiting events.

    Currently, nearly 11,000 Border Patrol agents protect the more than 6,000 miles of International Boundary between the official ports of entry with Mexico and Canada, as well as mainland coastal waters and the island of Puerto Rico. Border Patrol agents arrested over 1.1 million people last year and seized over 684 tons of illegal narcotics with an estimated value of more than $10.7 billion.

    CBP’s recruitment and hiring efforts include:

    •Intensified recruiting efforts to include visiting military bases and colleges throughout the country.

    •Increased advertising efforts through an expanded public awareness campaign via the Internet and public service announcements.

    •Expedited hiring process by establishing Compressed Testing sites at high volume locations along the southwest border.

    •Modified hiring process to include a pre-qualification interview and fitness testing.

    Applicants can register for the written test via the Internet during the ongoing open application period.