[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 140 (Tuesday, July 22, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42503-42504]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-17215]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

 Customs and Border Protection


Opportunity To Comment on Presidential Memorandum Calling for 
Improving the Entry Process and Airport-Specific Plans for 
International Travelers to the United States

AGENCIES: International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce; 
U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security.

ACTION: Notice; opportunity for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: On Thursday, May 22, President Obama issued a Presidential 
Memorandum, Establishing a National Goal and Developing Airport 
Specific Action Plans to Enhance the Entry Process for International 
Travelers to the United States. The Memorandum directs the Secretaries 
of Commerce and Homeland Security to develop within 120 days a national 
goal for improving service levels for international arrivals. It also 
directs the Secretaries to develop airport-specific action plans that 
include actions from both private and public sectors to measurably 
improve the entry experience for international arrivals to those 
airports. This notice notifies interested stakeholders about how to 
submit comments and ideas on determining the national goal and how to 
improve all aspects of the international arrivals process.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before Friday, August 15, 2014.

ADDRESSES: Electronic comments are preferred and may be sent to: 
[email protected] and [email protected]. Written comments may be 
sent to: Jennifer Pilat, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW., Suite 4043, 
International Trade Administration, Washington, DC 20230 or Daniel 
Tanciar, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue 
NW., Room 2.4A, Washington, DC 20229.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Pilat, 1401 Constitution 
Avenue NW., Suite 4043, International Trade Administration, Washington, 
DC 20230, [email protected], 202-482-4501 or Daniel Tanciar, U.S. Customs 
and Border Protection, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW., Room 2.4A, 
Washington, DC 20229, [email protected], 202-344-1249.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 22, 2014, President Obama directed 
the Secretaries of Commerce and Homeland Security to lead an 
interagency team over the next 120 days, in close partnership with 
industry, to develop a national goal and develop airport-specific plans 
to enhance the entry process for international travelers to the United 
States. The measures the Administration is taking to expedite the 
arrivals process will enhance security by focusing officer time on the 
highest-risk passengers and facilitating the process for the vast 
majority of legitimate travelers.
    Along with general comments and suggestions, the Departments of 
Commerce and Homeland Security are also specifically seeking input on 
the following questions:
    1. What are your suggestions to improve the international arrivals 
experience at U.S. Airports?
    2. What kind of technology should be considered to improve the 
international arrivals experience?
    3. What recommendations do you have for U.S. Customs and Border 
Protection (CBP) to improve passport and baggage inspection?

[[Page 42504]]

    4. What recommendations do you have for the airlines to improve the 
arrivals experience?
    5. What recommendations do you have for airport operators to 
improve airport facilities as it relates to international arrivals?
    6. Is there anything missing in the international arrivals process 
that should be added to make the process more comfortable and/or 
pleasant?
    7. What recommendations do you have to improve traveler perception 
of the international arrivals process?
    Members of the public or interested stakeholders may submit 
comments or ideas regarding this Memorandum, for consideration in 
drafting the national goal and airport-specific plans. All comments 
submitted should reference this notice.
    Stakeholder input may be submitted to: [email protected] and 
[email protected] by Friday, August 15, 2014. Electronic comments 
are preferred. Written comments may be sent to: Jennifer Pilat, 1401 
Constitution Avenue NW., Suite 4043, International Trade 
Administration, Washington, DC 20230 or Daniel Tanciar, U.S. Customs 
and Border Protection, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Room 2.4A, 
Washington, DC 20229.
    The fact sheet, and Travel and Tourism progress report are 
available at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/05/22/fact-sheet-report-president-obama-visits-cooperstown-highlight-travel-an.
    The full text of the May 22 Memorandum is available at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/05/22/presidential-memorandum-establishing-national-goal-and-developing-airpor.

    Dated: July 17, 2014.
Praveen Dixit,
Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Industry and Analysis, 
International Trade Administration.
    Dated: July 17, 2014.
John P. Wagner,
Acting Assistant Commissioner, Office of Field Operations, U.S. Customs 
and Border Protection.
[FR Doc. 2014-17215 Filed 7-17-14; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P