Reyes: “Poor leadership and coordination” in implementing ID checks at borders
1/24/2008
Washington, D.C.
Press Releases
Stating that “security is an important component of our nation’s homeland defense,” but that DHS's “hastily-devised and implemented tactics” place an undue burden on border families, Congressman Reyes urged DHS Secretary Chertoff to reconsider the planned January 31 implementation of identification rules.
Stating that "(s)ecurity is an important component of our nation’s homeland defense," but that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) "hastily-devised and implemented tactics" at our nation’s border place an undue burden on border families and our economy overall, Congressman Silvestre Reyes (D-El Paso), urged DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff to reconsider the planned January 31 implementation of identification rules until border residents have had proper time to apply for and obtain the new passport replacement card, the PASS card.
Congressman Reyes sent Secretary Chertoff the following letter:
January 23, 2008 The Honorable Michael Chertoff
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Washington, D.C. 20528
Dear Secretary Chertoff:
I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the new identification regulations the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is implementing at land ports of entry at the end of this month. The disappointing message you conveyed in a recent Associated Press interview suggests a lack of understanding of the dynamic nature of border communities, and the hardship hastily-devised and implemented tactics could place on families in the area and our national economy overall.
As an El Pasoan, a former Border Patrol chief, and as Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, I am well aware of the need for security along our nation’s borders and at our ports of entry. Security is an important component of our nation’s homeland defense. However, the manner in which DHS is rolling out this requirement is sadly reminiscent of past debacles such as the passport requirement for air travel, which overwhelmed the State Department and frustrated travelers.
In my district and across the nation, I have observed a profound lack of understanding by border residents of the new documentation requirements. I strongly believe that your Department has the responsibility to ensure that those who cross at our land borders are informed of the new changes.
The State Department announced just last week that residents could begin applying for the PASS card February 1, 2008. The fact that residents cannot apply for the PASS card until the day after your Department has announced it will end oral declarations and limit the types of documentation accepted to prove citizenship is ill-conceived. This is indicative of poor leadership and coordination by both the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State.
As you well know, Congress recently required that DHS halt execution of passport requirements within the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative in order to allow for both border residents to obtain either a PASS card or passport and also to allow the Department of State enough time to process the requests. Implementation on January 31, 2008 will clearly not allow for adequate time to implement new regulations regarding required documents.
As you are well aware, I have been working very closely with your Department, and more specifically, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Ralph Basham to find a solution to the increased wait times at our nation’s land borders. You might recall that I raised my concerns with you and you heard directly from my constituents when you were in El Paso to serve as a keynote speaker at the Border Security Conference in August 2007. As you heard in El Paso, border residents in my district have seen wait times skyrocket upwards to three hours.
We must face reality. Our nation’s land ports are not prepared for this new requirement. In El Paso alone, we are burdened with construction at one of our highly-traveled bridges as well as a shortage in CBP officers. These two challenges combined with new documentation rules is a recipe for disaster at our borders. I am extremely concerned that wait times will continue to increase causing a strain on residents in my district.
Beyond the human costs, border communities and the United States as a whole cannot afford to have wait times escalate any higher. In 2006, El Paso was the location for approximately $50 billion worth of trade, or 15.2% of the total trade between the United States and Mexico. With Americans focusing their concern on the nation’s economy, a recent study showed that a one percent decrease in crossings just in the El Paso region would result in a loss of $76 million in retail sales and 1,500 jobs.
Our economy cannot afford a bigger hit. I strongly urge you to reconsider implementation of your new rules until border residents have had proper time to apply for and obtain the new PASS card.
Sincerely,
Silvestre Reyes
Member of Congress
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