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United States

Establishing Joint Port Operations Committees at Eight Canadian Airports

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-Posted by Assistant Secretary for International Affairs Alan Bersin

This week, the United States and Canada announced the establishment of Binational Port Operations Committees at eight Canadian airports that provide a U.S. preclearance service, as part of their commitment under the Beyond the Border Action Plan for Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness released by Prime Minister Harper and President Obama.

These eight bilateral committees will help facilitate legitimate cross-border trade and travel and promote collaboration on overall port management. In addition, each Binational Port Operations Committee has developed an action plan that includes specific initiatives to improve border management and efficiency.

Committees have been created at the following eight Canadian airports:
  • Vancouver International Airport, Vancouver, British Columbia
  • Calgary International Airport, Calgary, Alberta
  • Edmonton International Airport, Edmonton, Alberta
  • James Armstrong Richardson International Airport, Winnipeg, Manitoba
  • Pearson International Airport, Toronto, Ontario
  • MacDonald-Cartier International Airport, Ottawa, Ontario
  • Pierre-Elliott-Trudeau International Airport, Montréal, Quebec
  • Halifax Stanfield International Airport, Halifax, Nova Scotia

The Beyond the Border Action Plan, released in December 2011 by Prime Minister Harper and President Obama, lays out specific steps that both counties will take to facilitate legitimate trade and travel, while simultaneously ensuring security. The action plan focuses on four areas: addressing threats early; facilitating trade, economic growth and jobs; integrating cross border law enforcement; and strengthening critical infrastructure and cyber security.

Published by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Washington, D.C.

The Blog @ Homeland Security

United States and Republic of Nigeria Sign Customs Mutual Help Agreement

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Washington- On behalf of the United States and the Federal Republic of Nigeria, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Acting Commissioner Winkowski and Nigeria Customs Service Comptroller Basic Abdullahi Dikko Inde signed a Customs Mutual Help Agreement (CMAA) right now, which marks a considerable milestone in collaboration among the two countries. (much more)
CBP.gov: National News Releases

CBP to Begin Rollout of Automated Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record

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Washington- U.S. Customs and Border Protection today announced that the automation of Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record is now effective which will streamline the admissions process for individuals lawfully visiting the United States. Form I-94 provides international visitors evidence they have been lawfully admitted to the U. (more)
CBP.gov: National News Releases

Combating Human Trafficking, One Step at a Time

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-Posted by the Blue Campaign

Every year, millions of men, women, and children are enslaved in countries around the world, including the United States. Victims are lured with false promises of well-paying jobs or are manipulated by people they trust, ending up forced or coerced into prostitution, domestic servitude, farm or factory labor, or other types of forced labor.

According to the International Labor Organization, an estimated 20.9 million people are victims of forced labor globally. From law enforcement, to educators, to transportation workers, everyone can play a role in combating human trafficking by taking a few minutes to learn the signs of human trafficking and how to report suspected cases of human trafficking.

Today, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Blue Campaign hosted its bi-annual stakeholder meeting, bringing together academia, healthcare experts, first responders, faith-based organizations, law enforcement, and members of the public and private sectors to discuss ongoing efforts to prevent and combat human trafficking. During the meeting, participants discussed efforts to support victims, raise awareness of human trafficking, and increase collaboration on anti-human trafficking initiatives and resources.

DHS launched the Blue Campaign in 2010 to more effectively combat human trafficking through enhanced public awareness, victim assistance, and law enforcement investigations aimed at increasing prosecution.

Want to learn more? Law enforcement and the general public can educate themselves on the indicators of human trafficking through our website: www.dhs.gov/humantrafficking.

If you suspect that a person may be a victim of human trafficking, please call the ICE Homeland Security Investigations tip line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE (1-866-347-2423 or report it online at www.ice.gov/tips.

Published by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Washington, D.C.

The Blog @ Homeland Security

Guidance to Travelers Bringing Agriculture Products When Returning From the Hajj

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Washington – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is reminding travelers returning from the Hajj to declare all agricultural things from their baggage. A lot of items can not be brought into the United States since they might carry animal and plant pests and illnesses. (much more)
CBP.gov: National News Releases

CBP Announces Availability of Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for the Northern Border

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Washington- U.S. Customs and Border Protection U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced these days that the Final Programmatic Environmental Influence Statement (PEIS) and Draft Record of Choice (ROD) for Northern Border Activities is available. The Final PEIS analyzes the prospective environmental and socioeconomic effects connected with its ongoing and prospective future activities along the northern border in between the United States and Canada. (far more)
CBP.gov: National News Releases

What We’re Viewing: three/9/twelve

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Posted by: Alexandra Kirin, Public Affairs

At the finish of every single week, we post a “What We’re Watching” weblog as we seem ahead to the weekend and recap events from the week. We inspire you to share it with your pals and household, and have a risk-free weekend.

Climate Outlook

A new storm in the Pacific Northwest will generate valley rain and mountain snow across western Washington. Snow melt resulting from a sturdy warming trend could bring flooding this weekend to considerably of the Northern Rockies and Intermountain West. Winds from 15-30 mph are expected across a lot of Montana, with gusts above 40 mph in the Chinook regions. These robust winds, mixed with reduced relative humidity, will outcome in essential fire climate situations right now across significantly of north-central Montana.

A clipper-like technique in the Midwest is expected to bring snow from the upper peninsula of Michigan off into a lot of the northeastern U.S. A Red Flag Warning is in effect these days for western and north-central Nebraska as a outcome of strong winds and very low relative humidity.

Update on Tornado Response

FEMA continues to help efforts of state, tribal and neighborhood officials in states impacted by severe storms and tornadoes Feb. 28 – March three. President Obama declared a main disaster declaration, on Tuesday, for the Commonwealth of Kentucky making federal disaster aid available assist to supplement commonwealth and regional recovery efforts in the location affected by the recent storms. Residents and company owners in the designated Kentucky counties who sustained losses can apply for support by registering on the internet at www.disasterassistance.gov, by web enabled mobile gadget at m.fema.gov or by calling one-800-621-FEMA(3362) or one-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired.

Joint Preliminary Harm Assessments are ongoing in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee and West Virginia.

National Flood Security Week

We’re teaming up with NOAA once more to bring you Nationwide Flood Security Awareness Week 2012. Starting up following week, March twelve -16 we’ll share information on flood risks, how people, households, and organizations can take precautions to shield their households and households in the occasion of flooding and safety guidelines on what to do ahead of, for the duration of, and after flooding.

Floods are one of the most typical hazards in the United States, but there are basic steps citizens can take today to lessen their danger to all types of floods. Head over to www.prepared.gov/floods for details on floods and make certain to test back following week for the commence of Flood Security Awareness Week.

Clocks Spring Forward on Sunday

Don’t forget, on Sunday we spring forward an hour for Daylight Financial savings – it’s also a fantastic reminder to make sure you have a operating smoke alarm in your home. Smoke alarms considerably increase your chances of surviving a deadly property fire, so we motivate everyone to take these easy methods to be prepared:

  • Test and clean your smoke alarms nowadays and on the 1st of each month
  • Substitute the batteries at least as soon as a year
  • Spot smoke alarms on each level of your residence and in every bedroom
  • Examine the manufacture/expiration date on the smoke alarm (yes, smoke alarms have expiration dates)
  • Practice your family’s fire escape strategy

For a lot more data about property smoke alarms and fire sprinklers, check out www.usfa.dhs.gov/smokealarms.

Watches &amp Warnings – What’s the Variation?

As we head into spring, and extreme weather and storms turn into a lot more active, we wished to make sure that absolutely everyone understood the variation in between a serious climate watch and warning. Watch this video from our close friends at NOAA explaining the difference between serious climate watches and warnings.

FEMA Website