CONTACTS: Linda Rozett/Rebecca Wilder
(202) 463-5682 / 888-249-NEWS

 

 

 

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Chamber of Commerce expressed support for the Secure Borders and Open Doors in the 21st Century initiative announced by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff this morning.  The proposal aims to improve security while facilitating and expediting international travel. 

 

“While many details remain to be fleshed out, these initiatives would take new and creative approaches to improving efficiencies in the processing of business travel visas and thus reducing delays,” said Randel Johnson, Chamber vice president of Labor, Immigration and Employee Benefits.  “The Chamber has long been working with the State Department and DHS on travel issues and we are glad to see these new proposals. 
 
“Working with the American Chambers abroad, providing more information online to increase transparency for business travelers, improving the integration of information systems administered by State and DHS, and creating a private advisory council to help provide suggestions to the government as these initiatives and others are rolled out and implemented are all major steps toward improving our nation’s security,” said Johnson.

 

The announcement also included a description of a new passenger access security card as part of the government’s Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative to improve travel and tighten security at our nation’s borders. 

 

“We support the concept of this new travel card but it must be affordable, easy for travelers to obtain, and should not delay passage through our ports of entry,” said Johnson. “More than 400 million inspections occur at our nation’s borders each year, with more than $500 billion in surface trade alone between the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Properly constructed initiatives can both facilitate the flow of this critical trade and achieve security.”

 

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector and region.

 

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06-04