Highlights of President Bush's FY 2008 Budget Request for CBP

CBP further notes that its FY 2008 budget reflects $8.79 billion in appropriated resources and $1.38 billion in funding acquired through user fees, for a total of $10.2 billion.

(CBP's press release focuses on the homeland security-related provisions of the President's budget request for CBP and does not address CBP programs such as the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT), the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE), etc.)

The following are highlights of President Bush's FY 2008 budget request for certain CBP homeland security-related programs:

Secure Freight Initiative (SFI). Provides $15 million to hire nine CBP Officers and eight support positions, and to acquire and deploy equipment and technology in support of the SFI.

This initiative builds on the operational pillars of CBP's Container Security Initiative (CSI) and the Department of Energy Megaports initiative to maximize radiological and nuclear screening of U.S. bound containers in foreign ports of departure.

Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Detection Staffing. Provides an additional $6 million for 55 additional CBP Officers to deploy and perform the subsequent operation of radiation portal monitors (RPMs) funded in FY 2007 through the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office's WMD procurement program.

Funding will ensure CBP will have a cadre of highly trained personnel to resolve alarms from RPMs and to conduct radiological examinations of incoming containers at the busiest U.S. seaports.

SBInet. SBInet is the component of the Secure Border Initiative (SBI) charged with developing and installing the technology and tactical infrastructure solution for effective control of the border. The initial focus of SBInet will be on the Southwest land border investments and between the ports of entry where there are serious vulnerabilities to border security.

The $1 billion requested in FY 2008 provide for the completion of 370 cumulative miles of fence (using existing and new FY 2008 funds) and allow CBP to begin to install the required tactical infrastructure for lighting, roads and land clearing, vehicle barrier systems and other enforcement support systems.

The funds also support some procurement of surveillance technology which includes mobile and fixed towers, and unattended ground sensors and the ongoing upgrades to command and control systems. Additionally, funds will be used to support the ongoing command and control upgrades in the form of fixed and mobile command and control systems which contribute to the border common operating picture.

Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). Provides for $252.5 million to support the implementation of WHTI, which requires travelers to present a passport or equivalent documentation when entering the U.S. Resources would support WHTI implementation at 225 inbound lanes at ports of entry, which covers 68% of land border arrivals, an additional 205 CBP Officers, and equipment and contract services.

This investment will create a more effective process for validating identity and citizenship at the time of border crossing and will avoid the intensive and intrusive inspection process that would result from meeting WHTI requirements without this technology. The investment also will improve operational effectiveness at the land border ports by providing improved passenger information to the CBP primary inspection officer.

Treasury Enforcement Communication System (TECS). Provides $25 million to enhance CBP's mission capabilities by developing and deploying a modernized replacement for TECS. FY 2008 will be the first year of a multi-year plan to modernize this system. TECS plays an essential role in the screening of travelers entering the U.S. and in supporting the screening requirements of other federal agencies.

Conduct and Integrity Oversight. Recognizing CBP's unequivocal commitment to the integrity of its workforce, the budget provides $10 million for 50 investigators and 8 support positions to address Internal Affairs staffing needs.

The positions enhance a permanent, full-time group of investigators that is responsible for investigating all serious non-criminal misconduct allegations and lesser administrative violations involving CBP employees, as well as criminal allegations not related to corruption. CBP's program complements U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE's) Office of Professional Responsibility, which investigates criminal conduct allegations.

(See ITT's Online Archives or 02/07/07 news, 07020705, for BP summary of President Bush's FY 2008 budget request for the Department of Homeland Security.)

CBP press release (dated 02/06/07) available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/02062007_4.xml.