SCHUMER RECEIVES COMMITMENT THAT JFK WILL GET ADDITIONAL CUSTOMS AGENTS AS PART OF $165 MILLION BUDGET BOOST FOR U.S. CUSTOMS BORDER PROTECTION; EXTRA MANPOWER WILL SPEED UP LONGEST CUSTOMS WAIT TIME IN COUNTRY
br According to Report, Wait At Customs At JFK Is Longest In The Nation Average Maximum Delay Is Unbelievable Two Hours brbrbr FY2104 Appropriations for CBP Contains $165 Million More Than FY2013, Specifically For Training of 2,000 New Agents Nationwide Schumer Receives Commitment That JFK Will Receive Much Needed Additional Manpower As Result brbrbrSchumer: JFK Is A Key Driver of New Yorks Economy And A Gateway To The U.S., But No Longer Will Long Lines At Customs Be A National Embarrassment
Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that he has received a commitment that John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) will be assigned additional customs agents as the result of increased appropriations for Customs and Border Protection (CBP) as part of the Fiscal Year 2014 Appropriations bill. This bill has boosted CBP's funding by $165.7 million in order for the agency to hire 2,000 new agents nationwide. Specifically, the bill increases CBP's overall budget to $10.6 billion, which is over $220 million more than FY2013. Schumer explained that $165.7 million of the new funding was explicitly prescribed "for the purpose of hiring, training, and equipping new U.S. customs and border protection offices." During a confirmation hearing today, Schumer secured a commitment from Gil Kerlikowske, who is currently undergoing the confirmation process to be Commissioner of CBP, that he would commit to bringing an adequate portion of these new agents and resources to JFK once he has been confirmed.
In September 2013, Schumer made an appeal to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to implement new measures that would help alleviate incredibly long lines for travelers using customs at JFK and he continued his push at a confirmation hearing today for Kerlikowske. Schumer's appeal comes after a report revealed that customs lines at JFK Airport were among the longest wait times in the country. According to the report, the average delay during peak hours could be two hours or more.
"Reducing the wait time for international travelers at JFK is a matter of economic necessity if we want to stay the world's center of commerce," said Schumer. "Wait times of two hours or more are not the right way to welcome people to New York. I am glad that we have a commitment from the person who will soon oversee the training and deployment of our customs agents to bring additional manpower to JFK. This will reduce lines and improve the traveling experience for tourists, business people, and all travelers entering New York."
According to the Port Authority, JFK contributes about $30.6 billion in economic activity to the New York/New Jersey region, generating approximately 213,000 total jobs and about $11.3 billion in wages and salaries. However, excessive wait times experienced at JFK's customs have been putting that economic impact in jeopardy. Sample wait times include:
· On July 1, 2013, at 6 am, the wait was 140 minutes.
· On August 3, 2013, at 4 pm, the wait was 120 minutes.
· On August 24, 2013, at 4 pm, the wait was 3 hours.
Schumer has long advocated measures to decrease these wait times, including a personal call in September to thenActing DHS Secretary Rand Beers, during which Schumer asked Beers to approve and install new automated Passport kiosks, as well as assign additional Custom and Border Patrol agents at JFK. Schumer also urged his colleagues to boost funding for the Customs and Border Protection in the Fiscal Year 2014 Appropriations bill, above the current 2013 levels and called current DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson to press his case.
Today, Schumer announced that the recently released appropriations agreement called for $165.7 million to hire 2,000 new agents nationwide, and that he has received a commitment from Gil Kerlikowske that, when confirmed as Commissioner of CBP, he will assign an adequate portion of these new agents to JFK. These additional agents will enable the airport to decrease wait times and continue to be a major economic driver.
