UNITED STATES.- On February 11, 2015, two Texan legislators introduced a bill into the U.S. Congress that, if passed, would provide for alternative financing arrangements for Customs and Border Protection officers at land border ports of entry.

Under the bill, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection would provide additional customs, agricultural processing, border security, and inspection related immigration matters in exchange for a fee paid by the private sector or local governments. The fee paid by the requestor would be proportional to the share of salaries and expenses of the individuals employed by the CBP and other costs incurred during that time frame.

A pilot program similar to the proposed bill has been operating at some border crossings in Texas since 2013, whereby organizations such as the McAllen Chamber of Commerce is able to pay for more CBP officers in order to cut down the wait times for border crossers making their way to the U.S. during certain busy days, such as holidays and long weekends. During the busy Semana Santa holy week last year, for example, the extra staffing eased border wait times where lines had reached up to four hours at one Texas port of entry.

The pilot program only allows certain entities that are approved participants to fund additional staffing at ports of entry in Texas, but the proposed bill aims to make this type of program available across the entire U.S./ Mexico border and to more participants.

Proponents of the program state that the bill would address the federal government’s inability to keep staffing at ports of entry at levels that match that of the volume of border crossers, thus giving businesses north of the border more tools. Those willing to pay the fee, such as private companies and cities could pay CBP during surges, and later receive reimbursements from the federal government.

In return, local economies benefit from a greater influx of consumers spending money at retail outlets, restaurants, and hotels. The program also applies to commercial border crossings, and proponents claim that when the fees paid are divided on a per-truck basis, the benefit makes great commercial sense.

Given that Mexico is one of the United States most important trading partners, the effects of increased staffing to process those who are legally trying to cross the border makes the border more efficient, safer, and brings great economic benefits to border regions. In a 2014 study conducted to measure the effect of staffing increases at the border, researchers concluded that every additional CBP officer generated an average of $250,000 to the country’s GDP and would add about 2.5 additional jobs throughout the country.

borderzonie@gmail.com

@borderzonie