House Lawmakers Build Support for Increased CBP Appropriations
House appropriations officials should prioritize CBP resources in Department of Homeland Security appropriations legislation for fiscal year 2015 in order to enable personnel levels to meet the demands of improved and expanded U.S. ports of entry, said Reps. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., and Ron Barber, D-Ariz., in a letter currently circulating in the House. U.S.-Mexico trade generated $494 billion in commerce in 2012, the letter notes. The increased CBP resources will also combat human trafficking and help prevent illicit materials from entering the U.S., said the letter, which will continue to circulate for more signatures through close of business on Feb. 27.
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“According to CBP’s own statistics, agents made over 420,000 apprehensions at our borders in FY 2013, up from 364,000 in FY 2012 and 340,000 in FY 2011. Given these increases, it is evident that we must maintain or augment CBP’s resources so that they may keep pace with the influx of activity at the border,” said CBP. “Further, in FY 2013 alone, CBP seized 2.4 million pounds of marijuana, 4,700 pounds of cocaine, and 3,580 pounds of methamphetamine. With these staggering numbers, now is not the time to reduce resources to those keeping illegal drugs off American streets.”
Email ITTNews@warren-news.com for a copy of the letter.