Beyond the Border: A Shared Vision for Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness Airports Council International North America Public Safety & Security Conference Deborah Meyers, U.S. Department of Homeland Security October 8, 2014
$2 billion goods and service trade every day (World s largest bilateral trade relationship). 19% of all U.S. exports destined to Canada. Canada is #1 export destination for > 35 of the 50 U.S. states. Export to Canada supports more than 1.69 million U.S. jobs 300,000+ people cross the border every day. Connected by >120 land ports of entry and >115,000 annual flights Share critical infrastructure, including bridges, tunnels, pipelines, and electricity grids. Canada is the #1 foreign supplier of oil and natural gas to the U.S. 2
Beyond the Border: A Shared Vision for Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness (Feb. 4, 2011) Articulates a perimeter approach to security working together within, at, and away from our borders Beyond the Border Action Plan (Dec. 7, 2011) Specifies commitments, milestones, and metrics and includes over 30 specific initiatives with timelines and responsible agencies in four buckets. Beyond the Border Implementation Report Describes the progress made in achieving the goals set out in the Action Plan; will be issued annually. 3
I. Addressing Threats Early Achieved mutual recognition of our respective Air Cargo Security Programs for passenger aircraft Deploying Explosive Detection Systems at preclearance airports to eliminate rescreening of checked baggage on connecting flights Implemented a joint Entry/Exit program at all automated land ports of entry for foreign nationals Developed the U.S. Canada Integrated Cargo Security Strategy and deployed innovative pilots Signed an Immigration Information Sharing Agreement to enhance screening of visa applicants and began biographic information sharing 4
II. Trade Facilitation, Economic Growth, and Jobs Created new benefits for NEXUS members - a simplified renewal process, a greater number of NEXUS lanes, and expedited airport screening in both the U.S. and Canada Increased and harmonized the value thresholds for expedited customs clearance to $2,500 reducing transaction costs for trade by millions of dollars each year Implemented two phases of a cargo pre-inspection pilot in whereby the U.S. conducts primary inspection of U.S.-bound trucks on Canadian soil Established joint port operations committees Consulted with stakeholders to identify means of facilitating cross-border business travel 5 and taking measures to increase consistency and predictability at the ports of entry
III. Integrated Cross-Border Law Enforcement Deployed Shiprider operations in Ontario/Michigan and British Columbia/Washington State Implemented a bi-national radio interoperability system between U.S. and Canadian border enforcement personnel at two locations to coordinate effective bi-national investigations Tested cross-border emergency communication systems interoperability to improve response coordination across the border during bi-national disasters. 6
IV. Critical Infrastructure and Cybersecurity Published the first-ever joint Border Infrastructure Investment Plan with recent, ongoing, & potential border infrastructure investments Completed first cross-border Regional Resilience Assessment Program project (Maine/New Brunswick) and began work on a second project (Alaska/Yukon) Developed a joint Cybersecurity Action Plan to enhance collaboration on shared cyber infrastructure 7
V. Managing Our New Long-Term Partnership Released a joint Statement of Privacy Principles (May 2012) to inform and guide the provision, receipt, and use of personal information exchanged under Beyond the Border Maintained oversight and accountability through the convening of the third annual Executive Steering Committee (September 2014) and an accompanying stakeholder input session Disseminated annual BTB implementation reports in 2012 and 2013, with next report anticipated Winter 2014/2015 8
Next steps include: Publication of 3 rd Annual Implementation Report Evaluation of Phase II and deployment of Phase III of the Entry/Exit program Evaluation of the truck cargo pre-inspection pilot Publishing the second annual Border Infrastructure Investment Plan Automated exchange of biometric information under the Immigration Information Sharing Agreement Finalizing a Land/Rail/Marine/Air Preclearance Agreement 9
Nearing completion of a new Preclearance Agreement that will supersede the 2001 Air Preclearance Agreement For the first time, the Agreement will cover land, rail, marine, and air environments Creates a new legal framework for officers operating in each others countries Will require legislation prior to being implemented 10
Since BTB was announced, NEXUS membership has more than doubled to over 1 million; Efforts ongoing to expand membership, streamline renewal processes, and reduce backlogs Under the 2014 North American Leaders Summit, the United States, Canada, and Mexico are exploring a trilateral trusted traveler program Other efforts to facilitate travel include include deployment of Automated Passport Control systems and increased issuance and usage of Radio Frequency Identification documents to facilitate secure travel 11
How you can be involved: Stay informed. Read the Action Plan and fact sheets and stay up to date on milestones and outreach events at www.dhs.gov/beyond-the-border and/or www.actionplan.gc.ca/border Provide feedback. Your ideas can help guide the implementation of the Action Plan. Provide feedback at public forums like this one or email your ideas to beyondtheborder@hq.dhs.gov and/or border@actionplan.gc.ca Enroll in trusted trader and traveler programs and encourage others to do so. 12