Board of Directors Insights Report Newsletter

April 2024

SDRCC 16th. Annual Mission to Washington D.C.

The San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, organized the 16th annual networking and lobbying event from April 14th to 17th. in Washington D.C.

Over 170 delegates from the CaliBaja region interacted with elected officials and government agencies to advance border infrastructure, transportation and infrastructure, environment and other key regional issues.

CBP Meeting Takeaways:

Meeting with Diane J. Sabatino, Acting Executive Assistant Commissioner of the Office of Field Operations (OFO), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) as well as AnnMarie Highsmith, Executive Assistant Commissioner for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Trade.

Otay Mesa East Update

CBP recognizes this project as a “gamechanger” for the region, with an urgent need for timely completion as ports act as economic engines.
A 30% design agreement has been signed with CBP, SANDAG and GSA.
Agencies are currently identifying funding sources for staffing appropriations and infrastructure fixtures for the port of entry.
CBP is actively engaging with key stakeholders in Washington D.C. to expedite project completion.
There is a possibility to start in phases or have “soft” openings prior to full completion.
A second MOU will be signed prior to construction once funding sources have been identified.

Azteca Ferries

Ferry passenger service from Ensenada to San Diego is finalizing permits from the San Diego Port Authority and certification from the U.S. Coast Guard and the California Air Resources Board. CBP is working with the operators to accommodate the project which will include advanced passenger manifest information as well as a reimbursable services program to expedite project completion.

BTX Cross Border Trolley

Cordoba Corporation’s binational trolley project has the capability to introduce smart gate technologies, which will help alleviate CBP staffing shortages and at the same time, increasing safety and security of travelers. The project will also include state of the art Non-Intrusive inspection advancements as well as the implementation of facial recognition technology via smart gates.

CBP Innovation & Strategy Team

The Smart Border Coalition would like to thank the CBP Innovation and Strategy Directorate for a discussion regarding border technology innovation.

Meeting takeaways:

CBP is currently exploring and testing different artificial intelligence capabilities for processing passengers and cargo. Although these processes are still dependent on personnel, advancements will gradually be more visible and useful.

We learned how advanced passenger information by carriers in the sea and air environment is key to increasing passenger processing efficiency and adding security by matching crossing documents to a passenger manifest. The challenge currently is in the pedestrian and passenger environments.

Working with Mexico will be instrumental in facilitating passenger segmentation, which will result in reduced wait times for pedestrians and vehicles.

How new and innovative strategic border crossing programs will create a secure crossing environment, where passenger processing times will be more efficient, resulting in reduced wait times.

The CBP One App has a series of features that will be launched in the near future which will have the capability to provide advanced passenger information.

Facial biometrics for passenger vehicles present a great opportunity to streamline border wait times. Technologies are currently being evaluated for pilot programs.

CBP strongly encourages the border crossing community to apply for Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative compliant documents, which include enhanced driver's licenses, trusted traveler program cards (SENTRI, Global Entry, NEXUS) or U.S. Passports or passport cards.

These documents help speed processing time at borders and are instrumental for new and innovative border crossing pilot programs and technology to work properly.