mid-year progress report 2015

SMART BORDER COALITION ™
San Diego-Tijuana
ENVISION THE BORDER AS IT SHOULD BE
MID-YEAR PROGRESS REPORT-2015
www.smartbordercoalition.com
The “Impossible Railroad”—or the Key to Regional Prosperity
SM ART BO RDER CO ALITIO N
M em bers of the Board 2015
M alin Burnham /Jose Larroque, Co-Chairs
Francisco Aguirre
Raymundo Arnaiz
Lorenzo Berho
Malin Burnham
Frank Carrillo
Rafael Carrillo
John Chaparro
James Clark
Salomon Cohen
Alberto Coppel
Jose Fimbres
Jose Galicot
Dave Hester
Pradeep Khosla
Pablo Koziner
Jorge Kuri
Elias Laniado
Jose Larroque
Jeff Light
Gaston Luken A.
Gaston Luken G.
Matt Newsome
JC Thomas
Mary Walshok
Steve Williams
Honorary
Jorge Astiazaran
Greg Cox
Kevin Faulconer
Remedios Gomez
Arnau
William Ostick
Mary C. Salas
ONE REGION, ONE PEOPLE, ONE ECONOMY
“OPPORTUNITY COMES FROM A SEAMLESS INTERNATIONAL REGION WHERE ALL
CITIZENS WORK TOGETHER FOR MUTUAL ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL
PROGRESS”
MID-YEAR PROGRESS REPORT
2015
Secure and efficient border crossings are the primary goal of the Coalition.
The Coalition works with existing stakeholders in both the public and
private sectors to coordinate regional border efficiency efforts not duplicate
them.
BOARD PRIORITIES 2015: THE BI-NATIONAL RAILROAD
Goal: The Coalition has expressed its support for unified, bi-national approach to oversight of a
single, professionally-staffed railroad company to operate the San Diego-Tijuana connection to
BNSF railway, Tijuana-Tecate-Campo-Plaster City connections to Union Pacific Railway and an
extension to the Port of El Sauzal in Ensenada to be built. The Coalition has also expressed its
concern to the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System to conduct due diligence to assure the
financial and operational capabilities of Pacific Imperial Railroad, the current lease holder on
the United States side.
Mid-Year Status. Construction has begun on the Mexico side. No construction on the United
States side. Payment to the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) was made by July 1. In
Mexico, land acquisition has begun on the line to El Sauzal. The railroad is a priority of Baja
California Governor Francisco Vega de Lamadrid.
Fuzzy future or potential economic engine?
In an attempt to bring the project into focus, SBC brought the principals together at the May 8
SBC Working Committee—Roberto Romandia, BC Railroad, Arturo Alemany, Victor Concertino
and Don Stoecklein from Pacific Imperial Railroad as well as Paul Jablonski and Karen Landers
from MTS to begin collaborating. (Roberto Romandia also presented the BC Rail story at the
April 13 SBC Board Meeting at CETYS Universidad Tijuana). Efforts culminated on June 24,
when an MOU of cooperation was signed between the two railroad companies.
Arturo Alemany, Fernando Beltran and Don Stoecklein sign MOU
PIR and BJRR Sign a Memorandum of Understanding
On June 24, Pacific Imperial Railroad (PIR) announced that a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed between Pacific Imperial Railroad and Baja California Railroad (BJRR). The signing of this agreement took place at the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System headquarters in downtown San Diego. Several representatives from public and private entities from both the U.S. and Mexico were present at this historic signing including Karen Landers, MTS General Council and Andrew Erickson, U.S. General Consul of Tijuana. The MOU was signed by Fernando Beltran, President of BJRR; Donald Stoecklein, CEO of PIR; and Arturo Alemany, Executive Board Member of PIR. The signing of this agreement is historically significant, officially signaling the beginning of a new era of binational cooperation aiming to rehabilitate the entire freight rail system serving the Cali-­‐Baja border region. This agreement comes at a time when existing freight corridors are strained and the bottlenecks at the commercial Ports of Entry in Tijuana cause unpredictable wait times for truckers. Not only will a unified binational rail line be a boon for the regional economy, but will also help reduce negative externalities such as traffic and pollution. Additionally, improvements to the Port of Ensenada will further increase the demand for freight shipping alternatives in the region. The line on the Mexico side starts near the San Ysidro border crossing in Tijuana, and winds its way through the city’s maquiladora clusters, which include nearly 570 world class manufacturing facilities. Leadership from both PIR and BJRR acknowledged the tremendous potential associated with serving Tijuana’s maquiladoras. The future of shipping freight across the border is greatly enhanced by the partnership between Pacific Imperial Railroad and Baja California Railroad. The SBC continues to believe that a single professional rail operators, reporting to both PIR and
BCRR is the best way to provide the service required for the region.
The San Diego Union-Tribune, July 9, 2015
New desert rail line deadlines proposed
Key deadlines set for later this year for reviving the Desert Line railroad would be
pushed back under a new proposal to be discussed Thursday at the Metropolitan Transit
System executive committee meeting.
The agency has a 99-year lease with the Pacific Imperial Railroad company to resurrect
the dormant line that runs from the border near Campo east to the Imperial County
town of Plaster City.
Under terms of the lease, the company was supposed to have some initial repairs
completed by Sept. 1 and run a test train — a locomotive pulling three rail cars over the
length of the 70-mile line — by Oct. 1.
Since getting the lease, the company has made limited progress in repairing the line.
There was management turmoil in 2014 and allegations of financial fraud from former
managers, which the company denied and MTS found no evidence of.
Rail line officials also spent time trying to make a deal with the Baja California Railroad
in Mexico, which operates a stretch of the track that runs from Tijuana east near the
maquiladora industry, to join the rail lines. On June 22, the companies signed an
agreement pledging to work out a deal in six months.
MTS is now proposing a new schedule. It would divide repair work into two sections of
the track with separate deadlines for each. The first would focus on the eastern 9.5 miles
of track and be completed by March 1, 2016, with a test train running by April 2016. The
second is the remaining 60 miles that would be completed by April 2017, with a test
train set to run in May 2017. The new time frame will not push back the deadline of
getting full-scale repairs done and operations under way by January 2018, according to
an MTS staff report outlining the new deadlines.
The rail line, also known as “The Impossible Railroad,” was built in 1919. It’s been
owned by MTS since 1979. [email protected]
NORTHBOUND KEY PROGRAMS
1. ISSUE: INFRASTRUCTURE AND STAFF FUNDING
San Ysidro and Otay Mesa Ports of Entry border infrastructure and staffing.
a. Funding in 2014 federal budget for completion of the San Diego /San Ysidro POE
Phases 2 and 3
b. Funding in 2014 federal budget to complete renovation of the San Diego/Otay Mesa
Port of Entry.
c. Funding in 2014 federal budget to adequately fund Customs and Border Protections
staffing of the San Ysidro and Otay Mesa ports of entry.
President Obama included more than $2 Billion in the 2014 budget for border
infrastructure. Funding for Phase 2 ($216,828.000) was approved in the 2015 federal
budget thanks to the work of San Diego County Members of the Senate and House of
Representatives, as well as the support of our members. Phase 3 funding was included
in the FY 2014 budget. Phase 3 will enhance crossings even more as Mexico’s old
southbound gates (Puerta Mexico) will be converted to northbound lanes. Phase 2
includes a new Administration Building and renovation of the east-side pedestrian
crossing.
The approved 2015 Budget also contained the requested $98,062,000 for modernization
of the Calexico West (downtown Mexicali) border crossing.
There was funding in 2014 to hire 200 new CBP officers for San Ysidro/Otay Mesa as
well as 70+ to staff the new Cross Border Terminal at Tijuana International Airport.
CBP Commissioner Gil Kerlikowske has unveiled a new app to track border wait times at
both northern and southern ports of entry. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
Border Wait Time app is designed to make it easier for travelers to plan their trip across
the border. The app provides estimated wait times and open lane status at land ports of
entry allowing travelers to make an informed decision of where and when to cross the
border. Wait times for pedestrian and passenger and commercial vehicle crossings are
broken down by lane type (standard, SENTRI/Global Entry, NEXUS, FAST, Ready Lane,
etc.). Travelers can download the app for free from Apple’s App Store and Google Play.
ACTION TAKEN:
1. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION. Senator Barbara Boxer, Senator Dianne
Feinstein as well as Congress members, Susan Davis, Duncan Hunter, Darrell Issa,
Scott Peters and Juan Vargas signed a letter to former Secretary of Homeland
Security Janet Napolitano asking for assured funding for CBP staffing.
2. PHASE 3 AND 2 INFRASTRUCUTRE FUNDING. The Coalition has led the funding
efforts by working through Congress for financial approval. Phase 3 has been
approved in the 2014 budget and Phase 2 in the 2015 budget.
3. JOINT EFFORTS. We are working with the United States Chamber of Commerce to
frame the support for needed infrastructure as vital to the economy of the United
States. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker visited the border during the October
2013 North American Competitiveness and Innovation Conference and pledge
support for both funding and increased efficiency.
Additional support was
announced at the October 2014 NACIC in Toronto. NACIC 2015, to be hosted by
Mexico has been postponed due to elections. It is tentatively planned for February
2016.
4. PUBLIC/PRIVATE EFFORTS. The Smart Border Coalition Working Committee
brings the key members of the San Diego-Tijuana public and private sectors to
explore innovative solutions to assuring infrastructure funding. In addition, the SBC
Stakeholders’ Working Committee is exploring ways for the private sector to fund
needed infrastructure through a system on revenue enhancements, including tolling
of selected lanes.
2. ISSUE: SEGMENTED TRAVELER PROGRAMS.
Increased efficiency of segmented traffic lanes—cost, time, convenience, recourse.
a. Adequate staffing to reduce wait times for SENTRI approvals and renewals to 30
days.
b. Approval of SENTRI with Passengers lane for the San Diego/San Ysidro and San
Diego/Otay Mesa Ports of Entry.
c. Assure separate lane for SENTRI travelers in Secondary Inspection.
d. Improve marketing of program.
e. Improve ease-of-use of on-line registration website.
f. Request that “Green Card” holders who live up to 25 miles into Mexico be allowed
apply for SENTRI.
g. Open west side pedestrian lane at San Diego/San Ysidro Port of Entry.
ACTION TAKEN:
SENTRI vehicle lanes now average less than 15 minutes at both San Diego/San Ysidro and San
Diego/Otay Mesa POEs. However, they have been known to be 45 minutes of longer during peak
holiday and commute periods. SENTRI/Global Entry and READY pedestrian lanes have been
segmented from the regular passenger lanes on the Mexico side. The San Diego/San Ysidro
west side pedestrian lane should be completed by the end of 2016 linking with El Chaparral.
Although this lane is part of Phase 1, it is also an integral part of the Phase 3 rerouting of the I-5
entrance into El Chaparral.
Ready Lanes are now in place at both San Ysidro and Otay Mesa cutting auto crossing time
approximately in half. More than 70 percent of crossings now are by SENTRI or Ready Lane
card holders.
SENTRI has preference in Secondary Inspections (ask for a green cone).
SENTRI WITH PASENGERS now has support of the United States Department of Commerce as
well as regional economic development groups. It would serve to help create jobs in the United
States. A formal proposal will be made by the Smart Border Coalition to the US Customs and
Border Protection Commissioner Gil Kerlikowske in the autumn of 2015.
There has been no action on permitting Green Card workers to live in Mexico. This would
require Congressional action and is very unlikely with the 2015-2016 Congress. However,
Resident Aliens who choose to live in Mexico—and who are not concerned with building time
towards United States citizenship--may apply for Commuter Status. Commuter Status allows
those working in the United States to be eligible to apply for SENTRI status.
3. ISSUE: REDUCTION OF GENERAL VEHICLE AND PEDESTRIAN BORDER
CROSSING TIME TO 30 MINUTES OR LESS.
ACTION TAKEN
a. SENTRI and READY Lanes for pedestrians has reduced crossing time to the stated
goal or less—for the most part. Staffing by Customs and Border Protection (see Issue
1) is still inadequate during holiday and peak crossing times.
b. CBP has agreed to provide staffing for Cross-Border Terminal at Tijuana
International Airport. Cross Border Xpress, the operators of the Cross Border
Terminal, have given notice to CBP that they intended to open the crossing in
December 2015. This allows CBP to begin hiring and training officers for the facility.
c. Pedestrian border crossings for those not holding SENTRI or READY Lane cards
renewed Foreign National Visas with laser chips or Enhanced Drivers licenses from
those states which issue them continues to be a serious problem. Often wait times
can reach two hours. There is a southbound pedestrian crossing on the east side at
San Diego/San Ysidro; however, the west side pedestrian crossing is closed until a
new gate and crossing is completed by 2016.
d. The Smart Border Coalition Working Committee hosts bi-monthly stakeholder
meetings to discuss progress and enlist support. Next meetings are July, September
and November 2015 as set by the Co-Chairs.
e. Ready lanes have improved crossings for general vehicles in those lanes to an average
of one hour or less. This is still not good enough.
f. Bus crossing continues to be a major problem with long lines. Buses also idle next to
pedestrians, especially at Otay Mesa causing a major health hazard.
g. Tecate Border Crossing. Until volume builds to warrant a full-time SENTRI/Global
Entry lane, the SBC recommends that CBP build a swing gate that can process both
SENTRI and general passenger traffic.
SBC sponsored booth for US Customs and Border Protection at Tijuana Innovadora 2014
4. ISSUE: REDUCTION OF CARGO CROSSING TIME TO 30 MINUTES OR LESS
ACTION
There is no funding for construction on government-acquired 9.63 acres.
a. The Smart Border Coalition has initiated talks with Customs and Border Protection
on approval of pre-clearance away from the border.
b. Construction of an Agriculture Pre-Clearance facility has been completed by Mexico
for use by both US Customs and Border Protection and Mexico Aduanas together on
Mexican soil. The Mexican Congress passed a special law permitting US Customs
and Border Protection to carry their weapons and wear uniforms on Mexican soil at
this facility.
c. We need to continue to lobby Washington for adequate staffing required assuring
maximum usage of the Otay Mesa Commercial Crossing.
d. The Smart Border Coalition was in discussion with the North American Development
Bank for a $200,000 grant to conduct a study of the economic impact of the San
Diego/San Ysidro and San Diego/Otay Mesa (general and cargo) on the United States
targeting specific Congressional districts. However, SANDAG has requested that the
study wait until at least the completion of Phase 1 at the San Diego/San Ysidro POE.
e. A Cargo Efficiency Task Force has been formed to concentrate on cargo issues. The
base for the Committee is SBC members Kyocera, Solar Turbines/Turbotec, CXubic
Corporation as well as INDEX (formerly Asociación Industrial Maquiladora, Otay
Mesa Chamber of Commerce, DEITAC Tijuana EDC, CDT-Tijuana EDC and the
Smart Border Coalition. Monthly meeting are held with CBP at Otay Mesa.
f. The Otay Mesa Chamber of Commerce has identified three major goals for 2015:
a. Progress on the building of Otay II, including purchase of land on the Mexico
side.
b. Access to the OMPOE from La Media and Britannia Roads
c. Elimination of the vehicle process for SENTRI/Global Entry card holders. This
program is supported by the San Diego-area US Customs and Border Protection
and must be approved by CBP Headquarters in Washington. The SBC plans to
meet with CBP Commissioner Gil Kerlikowske in Washington inthe autumn of
2015.
SOUTH BOUND KEY PROGRAMS
1. ISSUE: SAN YSIDRO/EL CHAPARRAL PORTS OF ENTRY
ACTION
a. The Smart Border Coalition supported the Mexican government which completed the
El Chaparral border crossing which was opened by former-President Felipe Calderon
on October 31, 2012.
b. The Smart Border Coalition supported the temporary opening of Virginia Street
crossings until construction of I-5 redirection is completed in Phase 3 of San Ysidro
renovation. This was rejected by federal and municipal authorities. However, Phase
l does allow for the construction of a west side pedestrian crossing to connect with El
Chaparral. This should be completed by 2016
c. The Smart Border Coalition does not support any Mexico plans to charge border
crossing fees at El Chaparral unless limited to two or fewer lanes.
d. The Smart Border Coalition and other stakeholders were unsuccessful in lobbying for
joint United States-Mexico southbound inspections to avoid redundancy. There will
be a southbound inspection facility on Mexico territory and another on United States
territory. US General Services Administration has added southbound inspection
booths to Phase 3 at the San Diego/San Ysidro Port of Entry.
US Customs and Border Protection has assured that the United States facility will not
be staffed 24/7 “at this time”).
Current “pulse and surge” checks by CBP at San
Diego/San Ysidro have resulted in long back-ups during the afternoon southbound
commute.
Note: The United States Congress has passed a bill requiring all persons leaving the
United States be checked. This has not been implemented at all land borders, but
could happen at any time.
e. The Smart Border Coalition has lobbied in Mexico City for INAMI (Mexico
Immigration) to drop FMN visa requirement for foreign nationals attending one-day
meetings at local businesses and maquiladora installations. The fee, but not the
requirement for the visas, has been waived
2. ISSUE: SIGNAGE AND INFRASTRUCTURE REQUIRED IN TIJUANA
SECTOR
ACTION
a. There is still no adequate signage leading from Playas de Tijuana as well from the
Tijuana/Rosarito Libre road to direct drivers to Ready and SENTRI lanes.
b. There have been no signs on the Mexico side directing Ready Lane travelers to the
proper lanes.
c. Through the Stakeholders Working Committee, the Smart Border Coalition is leading
the effort revamp and renew signage at all ports of entry on the Mexican side.
d. We have suggested the utilization of electronic signage in the Zona Rio area (CECUT
and Cuauhtémoc/Paseo de los Heroes intersection for border crossing information
for both San Diego/San Ysidro and San Diego/Otay Mesa.
e. The Smart Border Coalition recommends that the Mexican authorities re-align the
connection from eastbound Ave. Bellas Artes to the Otay Mesa SENTRI/Global Entry
lane eliminating the awkward and confusing semi-U-Turn to access the SENTRI
lanes. This is particularly important for the night hours as lighting is also poor in
that area.
f. We have requested the Mexican authorities re-pave and repair the streets leading to
the SENTRI gates at San Diego/ Otay Mesa Port of Entry from Ave. Bellas Artes.
g. We have requested that Mexican federal authorities determine the source and
eliminate the foul orders emanating along the access road to El Chaparral POE.
Collapsed Road and Reopened Ensenada Toll Road Reopened-December 2014.
Photo courtesy of Baja Travel Club.
SBC Stakeholders Working Committee Luncheon Meeting at El Trompo Museo
Interactivo Tijuana sponsored by Jorge Kur1. Catered by Javier Plascencia!
ACTION
Work in Progress
a. Quantify federal and state tax dollars lost due to excessive border wait times and
propose application of recovered taxes for border infrastructure enhancement and
staffing.
b. Augment the study of United States Congressional District destinations of cargo
shipped through Otay Mesa and Calexico Ports of Entry, to include destinations and
dollar amounts of shipped cargo to respective Congressional Districts.
Note: Items a. and b. Require funding for research of up to $200,000. This funding has been
requested from the North American Development Bank based on the negative environmental
impact of border delays.
c. Extend the I-94 Border Crossing Cards for 150 miles (past Los Angeles).
There is no movement on this issue.
d. Research Public/Private Partnerships for Border Infrastructure Funding and
Construction.
e. Consult with the United States Embassy in Mexico City and the United States
Consulate General in Tijuana to eliminate unnecessary fear aspects of travel
warnings while assuring that United States citizens have the knowledge to help
assure their safety while traveling in Baja California. The current travel warning
went into effect in October 10, 2014. It is the position of the Smart Border Coalition
that the warnings about Baja California and much of Mexico are unwarranted.
Travel warnings are now regionally specific, but still caution travel to Tijuana.
Current Warning issued May 5, 2015: “Baja California: Tijuana, Rosarito, Ensenada
and Mexicali are major cities/travel destinations in the state of Baja California Exercise caution in the northern state of Baja California, particularly at night.
Criminal activity along highways is a continuing security concern. According to the
Baja State Secretariat for Public Security, from January to October 2014 Tijuana and
Rosarito experienced increasing homicide rates compared to the same period in the
previous year. While most of these homicides appeared to be targeted criminal
organization assassinations, turf battles between criminal groups have resulted in
violent crime in areas frequented by U.S. citizens. Shooting incidents, in which
innocent bystanders have been injured, have occurred during daylight hours.”
The SBC feels that these travel warnings for Baja California are too alarmist and
severe for those engaging in legitimate business and tourism travel in the state.
f. Cross Border Terminal at Tijuana International Airport. The Coalition supports the
Cross Border Terminal as a vital part of the region’s air transportation system. Work
has begun at the Tijuana International Airport and in San Diego Otay Mesa for the
terminal which should be completed by the end of 2015. In San Diego it will be
called “Cross Border Xpress”.
g. Railroad. The Coalition supports the reactivation of rail service between
Tijuana/Tecate and Plaster City, California, as well as a new extended route to the
Port of Ensenada. Rail service is essential for the regional economy and attraction of
foreign direct investment. Progress: The Coalition has urged MTS to review its
agreement with Pacific Imperial Railroad to determine if that entity has the
necessary fund and expertise build and operate the required rail system between
California and Baja California. Baja California Governor Francisco Vega has pledged
to make the railroad a priority of the Administration. Baja California is acquiring
land to connect the current railroad to the port of El Sauzal in Ensenada. The
Governor has said that rail service to San Diego will begin in 2015. See page 2 of this
report.
SMART BORDER COALITION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ PRIORITIES
2015
1. Railroad from Tijuana-Tecate and Ensenada to the United States both west and east
(USA/MEX) See page 2 of this report
2. Relieving Pedestrian Wait Times at San Ysidro and Otay Mesa (USA) Key part of
Envision 2020 plan
3. “Envision 2020/Envision the Border” technology for a 21st Century Border
(Private) Preliminary paper to be delivered on September 22.
4. Elimination new auto inspections for SENTRI card holders (USA) Meeting in autumn
at CBP headquarters, Washington.
5. Mexican Requirement that All Persons Entering Mexico Must have Visas even day
tourists (MEX). Meeting in Mexico City planned for autumn.
6. United States Congress Requirement that all Persons Leaving the United States
must be checked out by US Customs and Border Protection (USA) Key part of
Envision 2020 plan.
7. Otay II project to relieve cargo and auto congestion (USA) Key part of Envision
2020 plan
8. Improved Visa Processing Time (USA) To be determined
9. Improved signage and lane alignment (MEX) Ongoing meetings with Mexican federal,
state and municipal officials.
Also of SBC Board Importance
1. Funding to complete Phase 2 of the San Ysidro Port of Entry Modernization. (USA)
a. House or Representatives Congressman Juan Vargas led the drive for Phase 2
funding. All five San Diego County Members of Congress supported the efforts
which were included in the 2015 federal budget. The construction should be
compled in late 2019.
b. Senators Diane Feinstein and Barbara Boxer (D-California) led the Senate
campaign.
c. SBC member companies with lobbyists in Washington used their good services to
support our efforts.
2. Otay II project to relieve cargo and auto congestion (USA)
a. SANDAG and Caltrans are the lead agencies for the building of SR-11 connecting
I-905 with the new Port of Entry as well as building the POE. Construction has
begun. There will be tolls to use SR-11 which will be collected by the United States
and shared with Mexico.
b. The SBC has had presentations at the Working Committee on the best utilization
of the POE through segmented cargo processing. Caltrans will make a
presentation to the Working Committee at the January 13 meeting on the Border
Master Plan incorporating Otay II.
3. Better utilization of pre-clearance facility at Tijuana Mesa de Otay (USA/MEX)
a. This facility will be primarily used for agricultural pre-clearance with both
Mexican and United States officers working together.
b. The Mexican Congress of the Union approved CBP officers to be armed at the
facility which is on Mexican soil.
4. Adequate staffing for maximum usage of current facilities. (USA)
a. CBP has received 200 additional officer slots for San Ysidro and Otay Mesa. This
does not include replacements for current officers who resign or retire.
b. CBP will also place and additional approximately 70 officers at the Tijuana
International Airport Cross Border Terminal when it opens in December.
5. California Enhanced Drivers’ Licenses (State)
Senator Ben Hueso (D-CA 40th) is the lead on SB 397: Enhanced Drivers’
Licenses – Creates a new type of California Drivers’ License that will allow for
faster travel across the U.S./Mexico border. This will reduce border wait times
and increase economic gain produced by efficient and secure cross-border travel.
6. Studies that support need for border efficiency (Private)
a The Coalition helped to fund the Creative Class survey “From Border Barriers to
Bi-National Promise.” The survey, which was debuted on May 1, 2015 at the San
Diego Foundation is scheduled to be presented in both Washington and Mexico
City in the autumn of 2015. The study looks at what the future could be with a
frictionless border. See later in this report for key recommendations on which
the Coalition can help.
b. Envision 2020. The Coalition is partnering with the Jacobs School of
Engineering, UC San Diego, and the Schools of Engineering at the Ensenada,
Mexicali and Tijuana campuses of CETYS Universidad along with Cubic
Transportation Systems and the advice and counsel of United States Customs and
Border Protection and General Atomics to re-envision a border technologies for
the 21st Century. The initial report is scheduled to be delivered at the September
22 SBC Board of Directors luncheon meeting at the Institute of the Americas.
7. Railroad from Tijuana-Tecate and Ensenada to the United States both west and east
(USA/MEX) See page 2 of this report.
a. The Coalition has expressed its support for unified, bi-national approach to
oversight of a single, professionally-staffed railroad company to operate the
San Diego-Tijuana connection to BNSF railway, Tijuana-Tecate-CampoPlaster City connections to Union Pacific Railway and an extension to the
Port of El Sauzal in Ensenada to be built.
b. The Coalition has also expressed its concern to the San Diego Metropolitan
Transit System to conduct due diligence to assure the financial and
operational capabilities of Pacific Imperial Railroad, the current lease holder
on the United States side.
8. Improved directional signage on the Mexico side. (MEX)
a. Tijuana has relocated the SENTRI lane access road from the Via Rapida to
Avenida Padre Kino. Directional signage to the new access has been greatly
improved since the change.
b. The Coalition has recommended that Tijuana also improve the directional signs
to both the SENTRI and Ready Lanes from the Calle Internacional connection
from Playas de Tijuana and south from Ensenada. Signage needs to be totally
redone at the Otay Mesa/Mesa de Otay port of entry as it is inadequate.
9. “Envision 2020” technology for a 21st Century Border (Private). Please see item 6b
above.
10. Elimination new auto inspections for SENTRI card holders (USA).
a. US Customs and Border Protection field office in San Diego agrees that auto
inspections could be eliminated.
b. A simple transfer from one car to another at the SENTRI office in Otay Mesa
would suffice.
c. However, this must be approved by CBC Commissioner Gil Kerlikowske in
Washington.
d. We recommend that this be a priority for the next SBC visit to Washington
11. Cross Border Terminal at Tijuana International Airport. (Private)
a. The SBC fully supports the Cross Border Terminal as built by Cross Border Xpress.
b. Construction is nearing completion on both sides of the border. The goal is a
December 2015 opening.
c. CBP has made an agreement with the operators of Cross Border X-press that the
operators will pay for building US Customs facility as well as pay the salaries and
benefits for officers assigned to the facility.
d. There are two pending issues as of June 30, 2015.
1). Concern by INAMI (Mexico Migration) that international and domestic
passengers using the facility be separated and their processing adequately staffed.
2). Continued dispute between the operators of the airport (Grupo
Aeroportuarios Pacifico) and the Municipio of Tijuana regarding taxes.
12. Commercial buses of less than 30 passengers from United States to Mexico (MEX)
a. This issue is critical to the tourism industry in Baja California—particularly for
Ensenada, Rosarito and San Felipe.
b. Baja California Secretary of Tourism Oscar Escobedo is dealing with the proper
authorities in Mexico City to allow United States registered buses of less than 30
passengers enter Baja California.
13. Improved Visa Processing Time (USA)
a. There has been no action on this at this time.
b. The complexity of United States visas is a hindrance.
c. The SBC should concentrate on the B1 and B2 visas that are intended for
temporary business travel, including travel for negotiating contracts, attending
exhibitions and conferences, short-term training, and consultations with
suppliers and customers, etc. The B2 visa is intended for tourist activities, such as
sightseeing, visiting friends and relatives, obtaining medical treatment, etc. The
B1 and B2 visa is not valid for employment in the United States.
d. The SBC advocates for enhanced movement and restriction free transfers of
employees among branch offices of Canadian, Mexican and United States
companies to other branch offices of NAFTA companies
14. Fast Pass for Company Employees (USA)
a. The SBC advocates for special lanes dedicated auto and passenger lanes for
employees of United States companies that live and work on opposite sides of the
border.
b. This program would be similar to the “US Citizens only” lines at airports.
15. Speed Truck Crossing (USA/MEX).
a. The SBC supports the SANDAG/Caltrans proposals for segmented truck
crossing lanes at the planned Otay Mesa/Mesa de Otay 2 border crossing. The
SBC also supports Project 21/Projecto 21 plans for a similar system at the
current Otay Mesa/Mesa de Otay 1 cargo border crossing.
b. The SBC supports pre-clearance for all cargo away from the border to help
eliminate congestion.
16. Immigration Reform, The Smart Border Coalition supports and advocates for
comprehensive immigration reform and a path to citizenship for the undocumented
who have met strict requirements for a change of status to legal immigrant.
SMART BORDER RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 2015/2016
In cooperation with the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Smart Border
Coalition™ offers several solutions to reduce border crossing delays to 15 minutes or less.
Among these are:
1. SENTRI (Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection). SENTRI already
has a goal of 15 minutes or less. However, there needs to be several adjustments to
include more people in this “trusted traveler” program.
a. SENTRI with Passengers. The San Diego-Tijuana region attracts foreign direct
investment from many companies around the world to the region. However,
investors from countries that are not eligible for Global Entry (such as United
Kingdom, Germany, France, Japan, etc.) cannot use the SENTRI/Global Entry lanes.
The solution is pre-registering these potential investors to be able to ride with
SENTRI card holders for a specific period of days.
b. Automobile inspections. Autos that SENTRI card holders’ use currently must be
registered and registration currently takes 60-90 days. We recommend dropping the
auto inspections (people smuggle not autos), and re-assigning agents to border
crossing lanes, where autos are always subject to inspection in any case.
c. Status Change for Resident Aliens working in the United States and living in Mexico
by choice. There are an estimated 10,000 or more Resident Aliens living in the
Tijuana metro area. They are not eligible for SENTRI and must endure daily long
crossing waits. Changing their status to Commuter, would allow these workers to
apply for SENTRI. (They would no longer accumulate time toward US citizenship,
which, for many, is not as important as working in the United States.
d. SENTRI Rejection by Association and an expeditious appeal process. SENTRI cards
may be pulled for all family members when one family member has a border
infraction. This can also happened when there is a mistake of identity. US Customs
and Border Protection does not have to give a reason for the revocation. However,
appeals may be made to SENTRI headquarters in Williston, Vermont. We
recommend that a local CBP ombudsman be appointed with the power to review
requested revocations for possible reinstatement.
e. SENTRI Gate at Tecate Border Crossing. We recommend that a SENTRI lane be
dedicated at the Tecate Port of Entry. The lane could be equipped with a swing gate
that could process other lanes when no SENTRI card holders are waiting (This is
already done in pedestrian lanes at San Ysidro and Otay Mesa).
2. Combined United States/Mexico inspection booths at all border crossings. Inspectors of
both countries could work from the same booths. This would allow selected lanes to be
reversed depending on the northbound- or southbound flow of traffic. This would likely
require the relocation of double booths on the exact border, with the northern booth
used by United States (under U.S. law) and the southern booth used by Mexico (under
Mexican law). This would like require the relocation of double booths on the exact
border with the northern booth used by the United States (under U.S. law) and the
southern booth used by Mexico (under Mexican law). These would be similar to the
current double-stacking booths, but would allow both countries to undertake their
inspection and enforce their own laws on their own sovereign territory—while expediting
the crossing process and saving money through joint construction of booths.
3. Pedestrian Crossings at San Ysidro/El Chaparral.
a. All pedestrian lanes should be fully staffed during the busiest hours of the day.
b. To protect northbound pedestrians from rain, sun, cold and standing in line for
excessive amounts of time, Mexico should develop a waiting room for pedestrians
that is a clean indoor facility with restaurants, duty-free shopping, clean restrooms
and comfortable table and bench seating. A “take-a-number” system could then
process 50 persons at a time. (This program has been developed by a private
investor but not implemented at the San Ysidro Port of Entry).
c. Mexico needs to police those who cut in line.
d. Bicycle lanes should be developed at all ports of entry
e. There should be adequate airport-style cell phone lots in both San Diego and Tijuana
for those who pick up pedestrians.
f. San Diego Trolley should have both express and local service. A trolley connection
into and through Tijuana should be implemented as soon as possible.
Cyrille Erickson, Andrew Erickson, Brenda Raucho de Vega, Governor Francisco Vega de Lamadrid,
Elia Manjares de Astiazaran and Presidente Municipal (Mayor) Jorge Astiazaran Orci.
4. Mexico Issues and Solutions:
a. SRE should be established as the coordinating agency for all border issues/matters.
b. The bridge at Puerta Mexico has been demolished in order to make room for new
northbound lanes.
c. As with El Chaparral, there should be “recinto fiscal” secure zone on the south side of
the San Ysidro POE as a non-commercial, non-pedestrian zone to clean up the shops,
informal commerce and people that are in the active traffic lanes and create a safety,
security and public health hazard.
d. Signage directing motorists to the SENTRI, Ready and General Traffic lanes should
be improved. (There has been no new directional signage at Mesa de Otay for 20
years).
5. United States Issues and Solutions.
a. Pilot program for “United States Citizen” lane. This would make it easier for US
citizens to return to their country and foster more of them to visit Mexico for
business, health care and tourism. Most international airports have “citizen” lanes.
b. Pilot program for 1 -2 lanes to be cash-only lanes. Amount charged would depend on
time of day and volume of traffic.
c. All gates at all border crossings should be properly staffed. Lack of adequate staffing
causes a high-price in regional competitiveness, jobs creation, tax generation and
makes the investment in infrastructure under perform.
d. Approve and implement California Enhanced Drivers’ Licenses. This would allow
enhanced drivers’ license-holders to use the Ready Lanes. California State Senator
Ben Hueso is carrying this bill through the California legislature.
6. Both countries
a. Create C/S/T. Construction (C) has to be backed up with proper staffing. (S) To
make the hundreds of millions of dollars and pesos invested (not spent), work at
efficient levels. Insufficient staffing does the opposite of proving savings as it hinders
the productivity and maximum use of tax money. Additional staffing costs more
money, but studies prove that an efficient border is a money-maker and not a cost
center. Saving on staffing results in a huge price in competitiveness, job creation, tax
generation and makes construction investment under perform. We also need to
follow-up on a regular basis on technological (T) solutions that make the border work
better. The Smart Border Coalition is the convener to bring technological solutions
from both academia and the private sector to the governments of Mexico and the
United States.
Initial recommendations will be presented at the UC San
Diego/Institute of the Americas/Smart Border Coalition luncheon event “SENTRI @
20/Envision 2020” on September 22, 2015, at the Institute of the Americas.
b. Combine United States and Mexico inspections at adjacent booth for autos,
pedestrians and cargo. (See recommendation 2).
c. Activate pre-clearance facilities away from the border.
d. Maximize the agricultural pre-clearance facility in Tijuana at the Otay Mesa cargo
crossing.
e. Congestion of Mexican cities-Tijuana, Tecate, Mexicali—along the border requires
the federal, state and municipal authorities find the best way to route cargo traffic to
the border with the minimum congestion of city streets.
7. New Initiative
Envision 2020:—Innovation in Transportation with 10-15 minutes goals for
passenger autos, pedestrians and cargo. In cooperation with United States Customs
and Border Protection, the Engineering Departments of UC San Diego and CETYS
Universidad along with private sector defense and high-technology companies such
as Cubic Transportation Systems to “Re-Envision a Frictionless Border with 15minutes of less crossing. In many ways, this is “basic research; however with nearly a
$1 billion combined United States and Mexico spending on San Ysidro-El Chaparral
renovations we will still have best “20th century-style” border our countries can buy.
Doing the same things and expecting a different result is not the way to 21st Century
border management.
Envision 2020 is under the auspices of Chancellor Pradeep Khosla, UC San Diego in
cooperation with the Governors of California and Baja California. The initial report
will be presented at the “SENTRI @ 20/Envision 2020” luncheon meeting on
September 22. This will also be the SBC September Board of Directors meeting.
SBC SCHEDULED MEETINGS 2015
Working Committee, Friday, July 17,
Tijuana
Board of Directors, Friday, July 24,
Tijuana
Working Committee, Friday, September 18,
San Diego
Board of Directors, Tuesday, September
22,
San Diego
Working Committee, Friday, November 20
Tijuana
Board of Directors, Wednesday, December
9
Tijuana
SMART BORDER COALITION AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MEETINGS
2015
January 8: Tijuana EDC Bi-monthly Meeting, Tijuana
January 8: Chula Vista City Council Presentation
January 9: SBC Executive Committee Meeting
January 13: US Customs and Border Protection Meeting, SANDAG, San Diego
January 13: SBC Stakeholders Working Committee Meeting, San Diego Foundation
January 13: Chula Vista City Council Presentation
January 14: Mayor Kevin Faulconer State of the City Address, Balboa Theatre
January 15: CONNECT to Tijuana Day
January 16: Tijuana Innovadora Advisory Board at SANDAG, San Diego
January 16: Envision the Border Meeting with Chancellor Pradeep Khosla at UC San Diego
January 16: New Americans Museum Reawakening at Liberty Station, San Diego
January 20: Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center Meeting, National City
January 22: ULI San Diego/Tijuana Advisory Meeting at Downtown San Diego Partnership
January 27: Office of Governor Jerry Brown, MOU with President Peña Nieto Meeting at San Diego Foundation
January 29: Dinner with Mexico Supreme Court Justice at Deborah Szekely Home
January 30: Smart Border Coalition Board of Directors Luncheon Meeting at San
Diego Foundation
February 3: Ambassador Jeffrey Davidow Luncheon at Berta’ Latin American, Old Town San Diego
February 3: COBRO Meeting at SANDAG, San Diego
February 4: SENTRI @ 20 Planning Meeting with Lynn Schenk and Rudy Murillo at Estancia, La
Jolla
February 5: SIMNSA Meeting with Frank Carrillo, Tijuana
February 10: Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center Meeting
February 10: Canada Dinner with Consul General James Villaneuve, US Grant Hotel, San Diego
February 11: SIMNSA Stem Cell Procedure, Tijuana
February 12: SBC Executive Committee Meeting
February 12: Envision the Border Meeting with Chancellor Pradeep Khosla, Dean Al Pisano and Matt Newsome,
Cubic Transportation Systems at UC San Diego
February 13: Meeting at San Diego Central Library
February 16: Meeting at Mexico Secretariat of Economy regarding North American Competitiveness and Innovation
Conference 2015
February 17: Meeting with Federico Quizaños, International Relations Director, State of Queretaro, Queretaro
February 17: Meeting with Jorge Lopez, regarding Ciudad Maderas Queretaro and Leon
February 18; San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato
February 18: Presentation by Nobel Peace Prize Recipients Rigoberta Manchu, and Oscar Arias at Teatro
Metropolitano Queretaro
February 19: University Presidents Meeting and Reception, United States Consulate General Tijuana
February 23: San Diego County Community Enhancement Fund 2015-2016 Request Submitted
February 25: Mexico X Meeting at San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce
February 25: Fonna Forman/Teddy Cruz, UC San Diego Meeting, Liberty Station
February 26: Aron Davidson, US Department of Commerce Meeting, Liberty Station
February 27: John McNeece, Pillsbury Law Meeting, Liberty Station
March 2: San Diego Central Library/Newport Beach Library Foundation Tour and Meeting
March 3: US Olympic Training Center pre-board meeting, Chula Visa
March 5: Sam Dychter, Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center, National City
March 5: March 9: Conference Call with Gaston Luken Garza regarding SBC Working Committee Agenda
March 5: Pierre Alarie named next Canadian Ambassador to Mexico
Biography: Pierre Alarie: (MA [Public Administration], College of Europe, Bruges, 1982)
joined the Department of External Affairs in 1982. While in Ottawa, Mr. Alarie served as a
trade desk officer with the European bureau. He served abroad as second secretary in
Lagos and as first secretary in Santiago.
After his assignment in Chile, Mr. Alarie joined the private sector. Between 1991 and 1993,
Mr. Alarie was vice-president, business development of Bombardier’s transportation
group, and in 1994 he became vice-president, business development, for SNC-Lavalin
International in Mexico City. Subsequently, Mr. Alarie was the managing director, Latin
America, for the real estate subsidiary of the Caisse de Dépôt et Placement du Québec. In
1998, he joined the Bank of Nova Scotia as country representative in Mexico City, a
position he held until 2004. In 2004 and 2005, Mr. Alarie was director, mergers and
acquisitions, with Hydro-Québec International. He then acted as adviser for the mergers
and acquisitions team of Brookfield Renewable Energy Group and worked out of both
Montréal and Santiago. From 2007 to 2008, Mr. Alarie was vice-president of mergers and
acquisitions with National Bank Financial in Montréal.
In 2009, Mr. Alarie became vice president, business development and sales, with the
Canadian Commercial Corporation in Ottawa. Mr. Alarie is a certified corporate director
and a certified administrator. He will be accompaniedto Mexico City by his spouse,
Catherine Genois, and his three children, Philippe, Jack Santiago and Eloïse. Mr. Alarie
succeeds Sara Hradecky.
March 10: US Customs and Border Protection Meeting @ SANDAG
March 11: HUB Center Opening of Chula Vista Library at Otay Town Center, Chula Vista
March 12: SBC Stakeholders Working Committee Meeting @ Hospital Infantil de las Californias, Tijuana
March 17: State of the City Address by Mayor Mary Casillas Salas, City Hall, Chula Vista
March 18: Luncheon with Canadian Ambassador to Mexico Sara Hradecky, and Consuls General of Canada, Mexico
and the United States San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce
March 19: Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center Board Meeting, National City
March 19: South County EDC Reception @ Tijuana River Estuary, Imperial Beach
March 24: Meeting with UC San Diego Chancellor’s office regarding “SENTRI @ 20, La Jolla
March 24: Reception for Sean Jones, Director, USAID Mexico Office @ US Consular Residence, Tijuana
March 25: Meeting with Jessica Ibarra and Francisco Reyes regarding April 13 SBC Board of Directors Luncheon
Meeting, CETYS Universidad Tijuana Campus
March 26: Meeting at Chula Vista Civic Center Library regarding books donation
March 26: Meeting with Chula Vista Economic Development team-Eric Crockett and Mariana Garcia- regarding
cross-border relationships and Bajío program
March 26: US Customs and Border Protection Meeting with Mexico officials on San Ysidro/El Chaparral border
crossing alignment, lanes and signage, San Ysidro Port of Entry
March 27: La Mision, Ensenada
March 29: Meeting with Nico Saad, Hotel San Nicolas, regarding Ensenada tourism issues, Ensenada
March 30: Congressman Xavier Becerra luncheon meeting, San Diego
April 1: Meeting with Sherry White regarding SENTRI @ 20, Institute of the Americas, La Jolla
April 6: SDRCC Mexico X Working Committee meeting
April 9: SDRCC Executive Committee Meeting
April 9: San Diego International Affairs Board Presentation, Civic Center Plaza, San Diego
April 10: Frontera Environmental Resources Bi-National Efforts for Ecological Restauration Event, Imperial Beach
April 13: SDRCC Board of Directors Luncheon
Meeting @ CETYS Universidad Tijuana Campus.
Host: Rodrigo Valle, Grupo Tersa
April 13: UCSD Blum Cross-Border Initiative Event with
Robert Reich, La Jolla
April 14: US Customs and Border Protection meeting at
SANDAG
April 15: DEITAC (Tijuana EDC) Toma de Protesta—swearing in ceremony for new officers.
April 15: Cerveceria Tijuana 15th Anniversary Celebration.
April 19-22: San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce Mission to Mexico X, J.W. Marriott, Mexico, D.F.
April 23: Mexport Trade Show, Otay Mesa, San Diego
April 25: LEAD San Diego Ceremony at Stone Brewing, Liberty Station
April 25: El Pasado Nunca Se Termina (The Past is Never Finish) with Mariachi Vargas De Tecalitlán, San Diego
Opera
April 27: North American Development Bank Conference call regarding air pollution at the border and Envision 2020
April 28: US Customs and Border Protection Cargo Meeting, Otay Mesa
April 29: Meeting at SIMNSA Health Care, Tijuana
April 30: Malin Burnham, Jose Larroque, James Clark meeting with Pete Flores, Director of Field Operations, US
Customs and Birder Protection
April 30: Malin Burnham, Jose Larroque, Steve Williams, James Clark meeting with Pablo Koziner, President, Solar
Turbines/Caterpillar.
May 1: Labor Day Holiday in Mexico
May 5: South County EDC Meeting
May 5: COBRO Meeting at SANDAG
May 6: Mayor Mary Casillas Salas, Albert Velasquez, James Clark meeting at Centro de Alto Rendimiento, Tijuana
May 8: SBC Stakeholders Working Committee Meeting, San Diego Foundation
May 8: Jeanette Le Borgne, High Court of Paris tour of the border at San Ysidro and Otay Mesa.
May 10: US San Diego Leadership Dinner
May 12: US Customs and Border Protection Meeting at SANDAG
May 12: German-American luncheon meeting regarding Ukraine at Duane Morris
May 13: North American Development Bank luncheon meeting at US Grant Hotel, San Diego. Geronimo Gutierrez
speaker
May 14: Smart Border Coalition Board of Directors Luncheon Meeting at United
States Olympic Training Center, Chula Vista.
May 14: SBC Presentation to North American Development Bank Board of Directors, CECUT
Tijuana
May 14: Deborah Szekely 93rd birthday celebration, San Dieg
May 18: Immigration Presentation at Museum of Man, Balboa Park, San Diego
May 21: Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center Board of Directors Luncheon Meeting, National
City
May 21: LEAD San Diego Visionary Awards at Hilton Bayfront, San Diego
May 22: Rosibel Ochoa, Katie Busch-Sorensen and James Clark meeting with Pete Flores, DFO, US Customs and
Border Protection, San Diego
May 25-June 10: Vacation in Germany, Czech Republic, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary
June 15: International Community Foundation Luncheon meeting with Anne McEnany and Alejandra Mier y Teran.
June 16: Meeting with Consul General Remedios Gomez Arnau and staff at Consulate General of Mexico
June 16: Meeting with Bob Watkins, Cali-Baja Initiative
June 18: State of California Economic Development meeting at Caltrans
June 19: Alan Bersin at OSAC Farewell Reception for CG Andrew Erickson at Consular Residence
June 23: Meeting with Steve Padilla
June 25: International Community Foundation Board of Directors Meeting
June 25: Meeting with David Perfect, Purolator (Canada/San Diego)
June 25: Smart Border Coalition Farewell Reception for United States Consul General Andrew and
Cyrille Erickson as well as Canada Consul Lisa Stockley at Residence of Malin and Roberta Burnham
Consul of Canada Lisa Stockley, Consul General of the United States Andrew Erickson, Consul General of Mexico
Remedios Gomez Arnau at Farewell Reception for Stockley and Erickson at the home of Malin and Roberta
Burnham, June 25, 2015
June 26: Meeting between Malin Burnham, SBC Co-Chair, and James Clark, SBC Executive Director
July 1: United States Independence Celebration, United States Consulate General Tijuana. SBC Board Members
Malin Burnham and Gaston Luken honored
SBC Board Members Malin Burnham and Gaston Luken Aguilar honored at US Independence Celebration at US Consulate General Tijuana with Cyrille and Andrew Erickson and Perla del Socorro Ibarra, Attorney General (Procuraduria General de Justicia del Estado) of Baja California. PROCURADURÍA GENERAL DE JUSTICIA DEL ESTADO
Lic. Perla del Socorro Ibarra Leyva
“Border
Barriers to Bi-National Promise” Executive Summary
In “today’s borderless economy,” the management expert Kenichi Ohmae declared in
1993, the “wealth-generating
region states that lie within or
across” nation states are the
“globe’s natural economic zones.” A
year later, the U.S., Canada, and
Mexico formalized the North
American Free Trade Agreement
(NAFTA), which created the largest
free trade area in the world.
Twenty years on, the political mood
in the U.S. is more protectionist and
anti-immigrant than it’s been since
the 1920s and its borders, though
officially open to Canadian and
Mexican trade, are administered by
the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol,
a police agency which is under the auspices of the Department of Homeland Security.
NAFTA is clearly working up to a point—the volume of truck traffic is high in both
directions—but the militarization of the border has created impediments that slows
down the passage of people and goods, significantly limiting both the quantity of bilateral trade and the informal interactions between citizens that are so productive of
entrepreneurial company formation.
Recognizing the urgency of this issue, we set out to understand the economic and
social/cultural challenges posed by excessive border friction, to reframe the narrative
about the border, demonstrating
How it can be utilized to promote economic and cultural development, and to offer a set
of concrete recommendations for improvements, among them:
• A formal severance between security and policy considerations in the governance of
U.S. border operations, and the inclusion of the Department of State and/or the
Department of Commerce in its management.
• Significant investment in better border technologies and governmanagement
systems.
• Investment in more efficient transportation infrastructure, from bi-national
airports to high-speed trains.
• Improved data collection and the development of shared data- bases of regional
demographics and economic trends.
• An expanded commitment to cross border civic and networking initiatives.
• The private sector needs t o be brought in to assist i n all of the above.
SBC Stakeholders Working Committee Meeting (left to Right), Consul General Remedios
Gomez Arnau, INAMI BC Director Rodulfo Figueroa, Committee Co-Chair Steve Williams,
Congressman Scott Peters, and Committee Co-Chair Gaston Luken Garza .Eighty-three
participants attended SBC Stakeholders’ Working Committee meeting at World Trade
Center Tijuana
SMART BORDER COALITION™
SAN DIEGO-TIJUANA
www.smartbordercoalition.com
O N E PEO PLE/O N E REG IO N /O N E ECO N O M Y
SAN DIEG O -TIJU AN A