By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com
The cash-strapped Department of Homeland Security is mulling charging pedestrians and motorists a crossing fee to help pay for the costs of operating at port of entry, the Monitor reports.
The analysis of the impact on fees is part of a proposed 2014 DHS budget.
Part of the analysis includes whom to charge and how much to charge, the Monitor reported.
“The proposed land border user fee study is intended to assess options for broadening the user fee base to help ensure that resources and services are properly aligned across all ports of entry,” Bill Brooks, CBP southwest border media division branch chief, said in an emailed statement to the Monitor. “The study would include an analysis of the impact that collecting a fee would have on CBP operations, as well as on members of the trade and traveling public. CBP is committed to its dual mission of border security and facilitating legitimate trade and travel.”
