A $20 million budget shortfall is forcing cuts at U.S. ports of entry that could impact security, MSNBC.com has learned. The deficit has led officials to make a series of security compromises that include replacing INS inspectors with their less-qualified, lower-paid Customs counterparts on heavily trafficked Sundays and holidays. U.S. officials, who announced Tuesday a plan to merge these inspector jobs into a single position, denied that the current cost-saving measures weaken security in any way.
THE BUDGET PROBLEM is national in scope and “it goes without saying that the implications are serious for every port of entry in the country,” says a Department of Homeland Security memo obtained by MSNBC.com. The memo pegs overtime paid to INS inspectors as “one of the most critical issues” the new department has had to face. Port directors are told they “will have to become creative” in finding ways to slash costs.
“It is imperative that we react quickly at all our locations and that we do not spend money we do not have,” says the July 2 memo written by Denise Crawford, who oversees U.S. Customs and Border Protection field operations in North Florida. Crawford’s memo also notes that, although it’s possible additional money could be found, “any supplemental money that could be allocated will likely fall far short of what we would need based on our current spending levels.”
http://msnbc.com/news/957968.asp?0cv=CB10The Bush Crime Family schedules terrorism in America so these inspectors actually only catch independent smugglers and foreigners with forged passports who want to WORK in America NOT BLOW it UP!
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