More than one million people and 65,000 truck, rail, and maritime cargo containers
arrive at U.S. ports of entry - by land, sea, and air - every day.
And every year, $2.1 trillion dollars worth of goods come through our ports of entry.
Our ports are the gateway to our Nation, welcoming travelers and facilitating the flow of goods
that are essential to our economy and American jobs.
It is CBP's job to ensure that these travelers and cargo shipments pose no threat to our Nation.
OFFICER: That old expression, finding a "needle in a haystack,"
absolutely applies to what we do...
We know the vast majority of people and products
that arrive at our ports of entry are safe and lawfully admissible.
Our job is to stop those few that do pose a threat,
while facilitating the legitimate trade and travel that fuel our economy."
This is our mission.
And our mission continues to grow in response to evolving threats,
increased travel and trade, and new and expanded facilities.
Despite the increased volume and mission requirements,
CBP cannot be a chokepoint slowing the international commerce
that is so critical to our economic security and growth.
So, in these challenging economic times, we have become our own toughest critic
by constantly asking ourselves, "How can we do our job better and more efficiently?"
The answer: by transforming nearly every aspect of how we do business.
But CBP cannot do this alone.
We need support from Congress to enact legislative changes.
We rely on partnerships with private-sector stakeholders.
And we rely on the ability of the traveling public to embrace emerging technologies that protect our borders.
Our approach to resource optimization has three key components.
First, we are continuously working to optimize the use of our resources through innovation --
what we call our business transformation initiatives.
We're using new technologies and processes to get the job done faster, more efficiently,
and more effectively through paperless, mobile, and advanced technologies.
To help speed the flow of lawful travelers, we've automated admissibility documents,
incorporated radio-frequency identification technology at our land borders,
and developed computer software that monitors and tracks changes to airline schedules
and associated passenger volumes so that CBP officers are better prepared to react.
To help detect and intercept unlawful materials in cargo and conveyances,
we've installed state-of-the-art scanning equipment,
and use advanced data analysis to identify people and cargo shipments that may present a risk.
The second component of our approach is our Workload Staffing Model,
which reflects an in-depth, rigorous analysis of our operations and the level of staffing that is required.
OFFICER: "The strength of our highly trained, professional law enforcement staff
translates directly into our ability to ensure and expedite
the flow of people and goods ... to rev the engine of our economy."
>> Our data-driven Workload Staffing Model considers all business processes required of CBP Officers,
the workload associated with those processes,
and the level of effort needed to effectively carry out CBP's mission on a daily basis.
We know how many Officers it takes to get the job done, both today and as a result of projected future needs.
Our Workload Staffing Model, which was reviewed and validated by external experts,
clearly shows that staffing levels need to keep pace with our expanding mission,
increased threats, and growing trade and travel.
The third component of our strategy is finding new ways to fund our operations and recover our costs.
This effort involves increasing flexibility to engage in innovative public and private partnerships
to ensure that we can provide services.
For example, if an airline wishes to add international flights outside of existing operating hours
or if an airport seeks to build a new terminal,
CBP would like to be able to work with these partners on a reimbursable basis
to respond quickly to requests for enhanced services.
CBP relies on the support of Congress and our stakeholders to explore sources of alternative funding.
"The success of our mission depends on our resources -
technological transformation, staffing, and partnerships.
The American public must be confident that we have the resources we need
to fulfill our mission and to honor the trust that the public places in us.
Trust that we are constantly innovating to ensure that
we are smart, and efficient with our resources. Because we are."
"Trust that we have accurately calculated the number of officers we need to accomplish our mission.
Because we have."
"And trust that we can find flexible sources of funding for CBP Field Operations through partnerships.
Because we must."
>> The current economic climate is one of fiscal austerity,
and we are committed to careful financial stewardship.
Therefore, it is critical that this resource optimization strategy be implemented --
to ensure our national and economic security.
We are looking to our legislators and our external stakeholders
in the travel and trade industries to partner with us.
Together, we can maintain the operations that secure and facilitate international trade and travel ...
and protect and enhance our American way of life.