We hope border conference won't be a political forum

Most of the attention relative to the border has been focused recently on thoughts of terrorism and attempts to limit   immigration. As South Texas residents are well aware, there’s much more to what goes on  at border crossings, and it affects our daily lives.

 It’s good, then, that border officials, along with federal and local business and political leaders, are meeting this week to address our nation’s ports of entry. The conference, titled “Balancing Security, Trade and Travel: A Looming Crisis at U.S. Ports of Entry,” will be held today in Laredo. U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar and members of the Texas Border Coalition, which includes border mayors and county officials, are expected to attend.

Frank, open and thorough discussions on the state of our border crossings is needed, and we hope those attending today’s sessions have more than political grandstanding in mind. With many officials already gearing up for expected hard-fought elections in 2010, such posturing is a possibility.
Much of the attention — and money — has been directed toward the majority of our border that lies between ports of entry, with the construction of the border fence, addition of thousands of Border Patrol officers and proposal of various bills intended to create new restrictions and disincentives for immigration, both legal and    illegal.

Meanwhile, the rapid growth in trade between the United States and Mexico has strained our border crossings, and several sorely need upgrades. The TBC is asking for some $6 billion to upgrade infrastructure and technology on the various bridges. They also want some 5,000 more Customs officers placed at our nation’s northern and southern international bridges.

This might seem like a large sum, but the United States has more than 150 road crossings into Mexico and Canada, as well as dozens of rail and ferry crossings. Strategic staffing increases at many of these crossings can help increase security, reduce contraband and shorten crossing times, all of which will benefit local communities and the country as a whole.

Those attending the conference should also address common goals and concerns, and the performance of recent initiatives and technology, such as the SENTRI crossing system. Officials should evaluate them and determine what’s working well and what, if anything, could be improved.

We hope those attending the conference leave with a clear idea of what’s working, what’s needed and what’s planned at our nation’s border crossings. To this end, they should arrive fully intending to listen and work — and not to make political hay.