EXPRESSING THE CONCERN OF THE UNITED STATES
CONFERENCE OF MAYORS AS TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE US-VISIT PROGRAM (AT
BORDER CITIES AND BORDER PORTS OF ENTRY)
WHEREAS,
on April 29, 2003, Tom Ridge, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland
Security announced the creation of the United States Visitor and Immigrant
Status Indicator (US-VISIT) Program, previously known as the Entry-Exit System
(EES); and that the program would be directed to the Under Secretary for Border
Transportation and Security, Asa Hutchinson; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Homeland Security has stated that the goal of US-VISIT is
to enhance the security of the United States without slowing the system for
legitimate visitors, and on this latter aspect of the department's aim on which
border cities such as the Laredo and Detroit, MI seek essential assurances; and
WHEREAS, the United States Conference of Mayors fears that when this program is
implemented it may have detrimental, and even deleterious effects on all border
cities and by extension and implication, the nation; and
WHEREAS, Mayors recognize the importance to our
homeland security efforts to collecting necessary information regarding
visitors who temporarily enter our country; Mayors want to make certain that
the Department fully recognizes and appreciates the unique challenges facing
the border communities. Hundreds of thousands of crossings take place
daily at Texas-Mexico bridges and U.S.-Canadian borders, as Americans,
Canadians and Mexicans visit family and friends,
shop and go sight seeing, and participate in the thriving trade between our
nations that is the legacy of NAFTA; and
WHEREAS, the entire nation benefits from these exchanges, but border
communities in particular are dependent on the rapid movement of travelers and
commerce to sustain their economies. Unfortunately, wait times during heavy
traffic can already last several hours, and many are concerned that a poorly
designed entry/exit system might cause even longer delays. For this
reason, it is essential that a comprehensive, detailed plan be revealed soon,
so that it may be thoroughly vetted by all interested parties well before US
VISIT is implemented at our borders; and
WHEREAS, the Conference appreciates the May 7
statement of DHS Assistant Secretary Asa Hutchinson that "our borders and
ports are not just 'openings' to be secured. They are economic doors that
must remain open. We must always keep both goals in mind", and
agrees with Secretary Hutchinson’s statement, and looks forward to continuing
to work with him to achieve an entry-exit tracking system that meets our dual
goals of protecting the American people and facilitating the legitimate traffic
and trade that is so important to states and our nation's economy; and
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the United States Conference of Mayors that
the Conference is concerned with the manner in which US-VISIT is implemented;
and
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Conference requests that the Secretary of
Homeland Security, or his designees, consult with the Border Cities as to the manner of its implementation and as to ways in which the
current system for persons crossing between the United States, Mexico and
Canada may be maintained and enhanced rather than fettered and set back.
©2004 U.S. Conference of Mayors 