House Bill Pushes Prohibition on CBP Abu Dhabi Preclearance Facility
The Putting Security First in Preclearance Act would prohibit foreign governments from funding CBP preclearance facilities abroad, while requiring a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) security evaluation prior to CBP preclearance expansion to international ports, such as the Abu Dhabi International Airport in the United Arab Emirates, said House Committee on Homeland Security Democratic members Nov. 22 (here). Ranking member on the committee Border and Maritime Security Subcommittee Rep. Sheila Jackson, D-Texas, introduced the legislation, HR-3575 (here) Nov. 21 (see 13112231).
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“DHS has come up short in its attempt to make the case to Congress about why preclearance in Abu Dhabi makes sense from a security perspective,” said Jackson in a press release. “My bill would require that prior to expanding preclearance operations, DHS conduct a study and report to Congress on how a new preclearance location would enhance security, the costs involved, and any resulting impact on DHS staffing levels for U.S. airports.”
The House approved in June an amendment to DHS appropriations reauthorization legislation that prohibits use of funds for CBP to establish a preclearance customs facility at Abu Dhabi International Airport (see 13060614). DHS “has not satisfied congressional concerns regarding having a foreign government pay CBP Officers’ salaries,” said ranking member of the entire House Homeland Security Committee Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., in the release. “If expanding preclearance fits into CBP’s risk-based screening strategy, the Department should make the case to Congress and ask for the resources to fund it.”