Washington, DC - Today, during consideration of HR 2555, Homeland Security Appropriations Conference Report, which funds customs and immigration screening at U.S. Ports of entry, Congressman Gene Green (D-Houston) gave the following statement about the problems at Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas:

 

“Mr. Speaker, I want to raise an issue with the functioning of the Customs and Border Protection staff at Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston.

 

“Wait times for airline passengers to clear Customs and Immigration in Houston are often two hours or more, causing international passengers to miss connections. The Houston Chronicle has twice reported on the still growing anger about long lines to clear customs and border protection.

 

“Missed connecting flights are a major problem. For example, one airline had over 1,000 people miss connections in one day this summer.

 

“We need additional inspectors at Bush Intercontinental Airport and a commitment to maintaining

100 % utilization of the number of authorized positions.

 

“We need approved overtime for inspectors when inspectors become inactive for training or any other reason. 

 

“The nine congressional members of the Houston area will be meeting tomorrow and we need Customs and Border Protection to act to ensure parity in wait times at major ports-of-entry, to avoid artificially influencing competition of international flights.

 

“Although the problem has slightly improved, mainly to lower international volumes in the fall, what is Customs and Border Protection doing to prepare for the holiday travel and Spring 2004 travel season? 
 
“Houston will be opening a new international terminal next year, Terminal E. Will Customs and Border protection be prepare with staff at that time? Does the Congressional Delegation need to take any action to help Customs and Border Protection be prepared?”

 

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