Congresswoman Calls on CBP to Increase its Number of Agents at LAX
On November 18, 2011, Representative Hahn (D-CA) sent a letter to U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Bersin expressing her concern that the current number of CBP agents at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) does not allow them to effectively and efficiently protect LAX from terrorist threats and asking that CBP conduct a review and place additional agents at LAX.
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Letter Asks CBP to Increase Agents at LAX After Conducting Review
Hahn’s letter asks Bersin to conduct an internal review to determine how many more CBP agents are needed LAX and that CBP place the appropriate number of agents needed at LAX to reduce wait times. Hahn warns that the shortage of CBP agents not only results in unnecessary delays and adds costs to U.S. airlines, but it overextends existing CBP personnel -- ultimately weakening national security.
Amendment to DHS Reauthorization Bill Would Require Review of Large U.S. Airports
According to the letter, as part of Department of Homeland Security reauthorization legislation (H.R. 3116), the House Homeland Security Committee adopted an amendment by Hahn to require DHS to conduct an internal review of the largest U.S. airports to ensure that CBP has the personnel it needs to effectively carry out its mission. However, Hahn notes that LAX cannot wait until the DHS reauthorization bill becomes law and that it needs more CBP agents as soon as possible.
Various press reports state that LAX’s Executive Director recently sent a letter to CBP about the shortage of CBP agents at LAX causing passenger delays.
Letter available by emailing documents@brokerpower.com.