DHS Finalizing Integrated Cargo Security Strategy, Says Official During Testimony on 'Beyond the Border'

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is in the process of "implementing common practices and streamlined procedures for customs processing and regulatory compliance, and expanding, harmonizing, and automating trusted traveler and trader programs," said Deborah Meyers, director of Canadian affairs at DHS, in written testimony July 30. Meyers testified at a House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence field hearing titled “Beyond Borders: Are the Department of Homeland Security’s International Agreements Ensuring Actionable Intelligence to Combat Threats to the U.S. Homeland?”

Meyers said DHS is "investing in modern infrastructure and technology, making our shared border more efficient and secure, and facilitating cross-border business travel." DHS is also finalizing an integrated cargo security strategy that, "ensures compatible screening methods for goods and cargo before they depart foreign ports for the United States or Canada, and consequently, accelerate subsequent border crossings between our two countries," she said. Through U.S.-Canada port of entry committees, DHS is promoting collaboration between our government officials on overall port management and DHS intends to negotiate an agreement to allow for preclearance operations in the land, rail, and sea modes as well as update the existing air preclearance agreement, she said.

Key initiatives planned to be implemented in 2012 include:

• Implementing an entry-exit pilot project at two to four automated common land border ports of entry, such that a record of entry into one country could be considered as a record of an exit from the other;
• Completing the Joint Border Infrastructure Investment Plan, which will help ensure mutual understanding of available funding for targeted projects and the schedule, scope, and responsibilities for those projects;
• Launching pilot programs to validate and shape the implementation of the Integrated Cargo Security Strategy, with an aim towards resolving security and contraband concerns as early as possible in the supply chain or at the perimeter.
• Updating the existing air preclearance agreement and negotiating a preclearance agreement in the land, rail and marine modes to provide the legal framework and reciprocal authorities necessary for CBP and CBSA to effectively carry out their security, facilitation, and inspection processes in the other country.