[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 101 (Thursday, May 23, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 25776-25778]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-12883]



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[[Page 25777]]

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Immigration and Naturalization Service

8 CFR Part 100

[INS No. 1677-94]
RIN 1115-AD84

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Customs Service

19 CFR Part 122

[T.D. 96-44]
RIN 1515-AB64


Customs/INS Field Organizations; Revocations and Designation of 
International Airport Status for Customs Services and Ports of Entry 
for Aliens Arriving by Aircraft

AGENCIES: Immigration and Naturalization Service, Justice; Customs 
Service, Treasury.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This document amends the regulations of both the Customs 
Service (Customs) and the Immigration and Naturalization Service (the 
Service) pertaining to their respective field organizations. The 
document removes Eagle Pass Municipal Airport located in Eagle Pass, 
Texas, as an international airport for Customs purposes and as a port 
of entry for aliens arriving by vessel or by land transportation for 
Service purposes. This document also designates Maverick County Airport 
located in Maverick County, Texas, as a new international airport for 
Customs purposes and as a port of entry for aliens arriving by vessel, 
land transportation, or by aircraft for Service purposes. These changes 
will assist both agencies in their continuing efforts to achieve more 
efficient use of their personnel, facilities, and resources, and to 
provide better service to carriers, importers, and the general public.

EFFECTIVE DATE: June 24, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

At Customs Service--Priscilla Frink, Passenger Operations Division, 
Office of Field Operations, (202) 927-1323;
At Immigration and Naturalization Service--Andrea Sickler, Assistant 
Chief Inspector, Office of Inspections, Immigration and Naturalization 
Service, 425 I Street, N.W., Room 7228, Washington, D.C. 20536, (202) 
616-7993.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On March 27, 1995, the Customs Service (Customs) and the 
Immigration and Naturalization Service (the Service) published a joint 
notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register (60 FR 15703) 
that solicited comments concerning proposals to amend their respective 
regulations regarding their field organizations. Customs proposed 
amending Sec. 122.13 of the Customs Regulations (19 CFR 122.13), which 
lists international airports, to reflect (1) The revocations of 
international airport designations for Ranier International Seaplane 
Base located in Ranier, Minnesota, and Eagle Pass Municipal Airport 
located in Eagle Pass, Texas, and (2) the designation of Maverick 
County Airport located in Maverick County, Texas, as an international 
airport. Similarly, the Service proposed amending 8 CFR 100.4(c)(2) and 
(3) which pertain to ports of entry for aliens arriving by vessel, land 
transportation, or by aircraft, to reflect (1) The removal of the same 
two ports of entry (Ranier International Seaplane Base in the Service 
District of St. Paul, Minnesota, and Eagle Pass Municipal Airport in 
the Service District of San Antonio, Texas), and (2) the designation of 
Maverick County Airport as a port of entry for the processing of aliens 
arriving by vessel, land transportation, or by aircraft.
    At the time of drafting the joint notice of proposed rulemaking it 
was believed that the proposed changes to the field organizations of 
the two agencies would not result in any significant reduction in 
Customs/Immigration services in those areas. Future Minnesota 
transactions were to be handled at either Sky Harbor Airport or Crane 
Lake Seaplane Base, both landing rights airports. Future Texas 
transactions were to be handled at Maverick County Airport, also a 
landing rights airport, which was to be designated as an international 
airport for Customs purposes and a port of entry for Service purposes. 
The public comment period for the proposed amendments closed May 26, 
1995.

Discussion of Comments

Ranier

    Two comments were received, both protesting the revocation/
withdrawal of the international airport/port of entry designation for 
Ranier International Seaplane Base located in Ranier, Minnesota. Both 
comments stated that revocation of the Ranier International Seaplane 
Base would be inappropriate because the facility was important to the 
commercial and private seaplane traffic crossing at the Ontario and 
Northern Minnesota borders. Accordingly, after further consideration of 
the matter and discovering that the community has taken action to 
improve the inspection facilities at the Seaplane Base and to eliminate 
unsafe working conditions, Customs and the Service have decided to 
withdraw their proposal regarding the revocation/withdrawal of 
international airport/port of entry status for Ranier International 
Seaplane Base, Minnesota.

Eagle Pass/Maverick

    No comments were received regarding the: (1) Revocation/withdrawal 
of the international airport/port of entry status for Eagle Pass 
Municipal Airport, Texas, and the (2) designation of Maverick County 
Airport, Texas, as an international airport/port of entry. Accordingly, 
after further consideration of this matter, Customs and the Service 
have decided to proceed with the final rule respecting this change in 
their field organization. However, it will not be necessary to amend 8 
CFR 100.4(c)(3) to remove ``Eagle Pass, TX, Eagle Pass Airport'' as a 
port of entry for aliens arriving by aircraft, since this action has 
already been accomplished by the Service in a final rule published on 
November 14, 1995, at 60 FR 57165.

Conclusion

    Accordingly, Customs and the Service are amending their respective 
regulations regarding the: (1) Revocation/withdrawal of the 
international airport/port of entry status for Eagle Pass Municipal 
Airport, Texas, and the (2) designation of Maverick County Airport, 
Texas, as an international airport/port of entry. The International 
Seaplane Base located in Ranier, Minnesota, will continue to provide 
Customs and Immigration services.

Authority

    This change is proposed under the authority of 5 U.S.C. 301, 8 
U.S.C. 1103, and 19 U.S.C. 2, 66, and 1624.

Inapplicability of the Regulatory Flexibility Act and Executive 
Orders 12606, 12612, and 12866

    Although the joint notice of proposed rulemaking published 
solicited public comments, because these regulatory amendments relate 
to agency management and organization matters, pursuant to the 
provisions of 5 U.S.C. 553(a)(2), they are not subject to the notice 
and public procedure requirements. Accordingly, this document is not 
subject to the provisions of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 
601 et seq.).
    Pursuant to the provisions of E.O. 12606, the Commissioners of 
Customs and the Immigration and Naturalization Service certify that 
they have assessed these amendments in light of the criteria

[[Page 25778]]

set forth in that E.O., and determined that this regulation will not 
have a significant impact on family formation, maintenance, and general 
well-being.
    Pursuant to the provisions of E.O. 12612, it is certified that this 
regulation has been assessed in light of the principles, criteria, and 
requirements specified in that E.O. and that they will not have 
substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship between 
the National Government and the States, or on the distribution of power 
and responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, 
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment is not warranted.
    This document does not meet the criteria for a ``significant 
regulatory action'' as defined in E.O. 12866.

Drafting Information

    The principal author of this document was Gregory R. Vilders, 
Attorney, Office of Regulations and Rulings, U.S. Customs Service; 
however, personnel from other offices and agencies participated in its 
development.

List of Subjects

8 CFR Part 100

    Administrative practice and procedure, Organizations and functions 
(Government agencies).

19 CFR Part 122

    Administrative practice and procedure, Air carriers, Aircraft, 
Airports, Air transportation, Baggage, Customs duties and inspection, 
Drug traffic control, Imports, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements.

Amendments to the Regulations

    Accordingly, part 100 of chapter I of title 8 of the Code of 
Federal Regulations and part 122 of chapter I of title 19 of the Code 
of Federal Regulations are amended as follows:

Title 8--Aliens and Nationality

PART 100--STATEMENT OF ORGANIZATION

    1. The authority citation for part 100 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 8 U.S.C. 1103; 8 CFR part 2.


Sec. 100.4  [Amended]

    2. In Sec. 100.4, paragraph (c)(2) is amended by:
    a. Removing ``Eagle Pass, TX'' from the Class A listing under 
District No. 14--San Antonio, Texas; and by
    b. Adding, in proper alphabetical sequence, ``Maverick, TX'' to the 
Class A listing under District No. 14--San Antonio, Texas.
    3. In Sec. 100.4, paragraph (c)(3) is amended by adding, in proper 
alphabetical sequence, ``Maverick, TX, Maverick County Airport'' to the 
Class A listing under District No. 14--San Antonio, Texas.

Title 19--Customs Duties

PART 122--AIR COMMERCE REGULATIONS

    1. The authority citation for part 122 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 19 U.S.C. 58b, 66, 1433, 1436, 1459, 
1590, 1594, 1623, 1624, 1644,; 49 U.S.C. app. 1509.


Sec. 122.13  [Amended]

    2. In Sec. 122.13, the list of international airports is amended by 
removing ``Eagle Pass, Tex.--Eagle Pass Municipal Airport'' and adding, 
in appropriate alphabetical order, ``Maverick, Tex.--Maverick County 
Airport''.

    Approved: May 2, 1996.

George J. Weise,
Commissioner of Customs.
John P. Simpson,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Treasury.

April 12, 1996.

Doris Meissner,
Commissioner of Immigration and Naturalization Service.
[FR Doc. 96-12883 Filed 5-22-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4820-02-P