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CNN Live Today
U.S. Tightens Border Security
Aired April 16, 2002 - 12:31 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Now more on the effects of that tightening of the U.S. border security. We go to our Jeanne Meserve, who's standing back -- standing by rather in Washington D.C.
What can you tell us about this information regarding the Canadian border, Jeanne?
JEANNE MESERVE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Kyra, since September 11, the question has been how do you make the country's borders more secure without bringing commerce to a halt? In the immediate aftermath of September 11, the conflict was painfully evident in the lines that materialized at some border crossings between the U.S. and Canada.
As Customs went to a level one state of alert that required much more careful scrutiny of vehicles and cargo. At the Ambassador Bridge in Detroit, trucks sometimes had to wait as long as 12 hours to cross. Additional personnel at the border has eased the waiting times, but today, a new innovation was unveiled, which is intended to eliminate the wait altogether for some businesses. Under the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism, the businesses who can ensure the integrity of their security practices and those of others in their supply chain will see their goods come across the border quickly, in something akin to a highway easy pass system.
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ROBERT BONNER, US CUSTOMS COMMISSIONER: The more companies that we have that sign up in the partnership, the more lanes we're going to be able to dedicate to the fast lane. That's the end-cap system that's over right now on the six-lane. The more of those lanes that we can open up, the more partners, the more commercial trucks that are qualified to get the fast lane treatment, the faster those the trucks are going to come through the border. The faster they're going to get across the Ambassador Bridge.
And at the same time, it allows the U.S. Customs Service then to focus and concentrate its efforts on the trucks that do pose a potential danger or threat.
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MESERVE: The nation's Big 3 automakers are among the companies already on board. And Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge makes it clear that the help of private industry is critical to his mission. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TOM RIDGE, DIRECTOR OF HOMELAND SECURITY: The federal government cannot do it all. And in spite of the fact that the president's budget includes about $11 billion additional dollars for the INS and for Customs and the Coast Guard, we cannot possibly put enough inspectors at any border to move traffic to enhance, but simultaneously move traffic and move private enterprise as quickly as just-in-time delivery requires.
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MESERVE: And on Capitol Hill meanwhile, the Senate is expected to give its approval soon to border legislation. The measure, which has already passed the House twice, would add more Immigration and Naturalization inspectors and require comprehensive data sharing between INS, intelligence agencies, law enforcement, and the State Department. It bans foreigners on America's terrorist watch list from getting U.S. visas. And it would require universities to keep better track of foreign students.
Democratic Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia has been blocking the bill, but indications are now that it will pass probably this week. And President Bush is expected to sign it.
Kyra, back to you.
PHILLIPS: Jeanne, I got a quick question for you. But before we go there, I just want to let folks know that we are awaiting the White House briefing. We got about a two minute warning. Ari Fleischer should be coming out pretty soon. And we're going to take that live as soon as he steps up to the podium.
Now, Jeanne back to your story. What about ports and Congressional actions with regard to ports?
MESERVE: They're giving a great deal of attention to port security, both the Congress and also people in the office of Homeland Security. They're extraordinarily concerned because of the millions of containers which come in there on an annual basis. And they realize at this point that Customs inspectors can inspect only a small fraction.
In fact, physically they only inspect about two percent. And so there's a big push on to have this same sort of program that was unveiled today in Detroit be instituted for other importers at other points of entry. And it would cover ships, as well as planes, as well as trucks. That's the ultimate goal, to sort of push the borders back and make this country as secure as possible.
Kyra?
PHILLIPS: So what do you think when you look at both sides? Do you think it'll pass or no? Strongest lobby here?
MESERVE: Well, the border security legislation is expected to pass the Senate. There's been some controversy over one small part of it. 245-I, it is called. That is the portion that Senator Byrd has objected to. What that would do is extend a program which would allow people who are in this country illegally to apply for resident status, while they are still in this country. Under the old rules, they would have to leave this country. And it could take as long as 10 years for their residency status to come through.
That has been the sticking point for Senator Byrd. It appears now that he is acknowledging that he's not going to have the wherewithal to stop the bill. So the passage of that border bill is expected this week. And President Bush is behind it. He is expected to sign.
Kyra?
PHILLIPS: All right, our Jeanne Meserve there in Washington D.C. Thank you so much.
MESERVE: You're Welcome.
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