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	The Connection	By Patrick Osio

June 2009 A Letter To Alan Bersin There’s more to the border than fences, drugs and guns As President Obama’s first border czar, Alan Bersin will have extraordinary influence on the lives and livelihoods of tens of thousands of San Diego and Baja residents and the regional economy. We have some hopes and wishes, presented here in letter form. Dear Mr. Bersin: “It would be presumptuous to suggest that you need communication of facts and knowledge regarding U.S.-Mexico border issues, when you are probably the most prepared individual to assume the office of assistant secretary for international affairs and special representative for border affairs, commonly referred as border czar. We dare here to bring your attention to frequently, if not totally ignored issues of great importance to the binational border communities and to remind you that during your last posting (1995 through 1998), some decisions with great consequences were made, many based on the day’s political whims. The international border marks a line between two sovereign countries. Because it is a political line, it can be subject to the whims of the corresponding governments. As you know, border crossing issues historically have, with few exceptions, been associated with economics. Economic issues include both the wanted and unwanted border crossings: From Mexico to the United States you have commercial crossings, visitor crossings, illegal immigration smuggling and illicit drug smuggling. From the United States to Mexico you have commercial crossings, visitor crossings, arms and ammunition smuggling and hazardous waste smuggling. “All of these are rooted in economics. The first two types of crossings are welcomed by both countries, while the two others are the subject of law enforcement attempts by both nations. During the years of absence from your present post, 1998-2009, a great number of changes have taken place and a new reality was created by the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.  Terrorism introduced a new border crossing issue not rooted on economics – those legally or illegally entering the nation for the sole purpose of causing death and destruction. Confronted with this reality, policymakers were totally unprepared to adjust and secure the borders. The political establishment, for reasons not necessary to discuss here, concluded this new problem of insecurity was singularly due to the U.S.-Mexico border. This led to an array of federal legislation, most of it not well thought out. Unfortunately, these new laws negatively affected only the first and second reasons to cross the border, leaving almost untouched the third and fourth. Mr. Bersin, when Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano appointed you April 15, she said: ‘He will lead the efforts to make our borders safe while working to promote commerce and trade.’ Here, Mr. Bersin, is our concern. “…while working to promote commerce and trade.” Thus far all the activity at the border has impeded commerce and trade, of which visitors are an important factor. While the positive rhetoric on promoting commerce and trade always finds its way into speeches, too often it is backed by little substance. For instance, border wait times that have for decades been one of the most detrimental obstacles to ‘trade and commerce’ may now start to diminish, thanks to new efforts taking place. But offsetting this potential are recently enacted laws governing crossing to and from Mexico that will more than offset whatever time saving border changes are presently under construction. It seems that addressing the real root of the border crossing delays is not part of the political will. The simplicity of having border inspectors not take more than 15 to 20 seconds with each car seems to be a “good idea” but it was never properly implemented. Also not realized was a smart plan to place a computer directed “Red Light” system that randomly selects cars to be sent to secondary, thus bypassing the potential renegade inspectors. By itself, this simple and logical improvement would immediately cut down waiting times by 30 to 40 minutes. Mr. Bersin, you are most certainly aware of the Sandag and California Department of Transportation economic study indicating that border wait times have tremendous negative economic impact on both sides of the border, as much as $5 billion loss in San Diego and $3 billion loss along the Baja Pacific Coast. Your office is positioned to in a very pragmatic and positive way do a great deal to improve the economic situation along both sides of the border. It is economic development that creates jobs, trade and commerce and security. “Here is wishing you the best in your tenure. Our border economy needs you. Patrick Osio Jr. can be reached at posiojr@aol.com. The veteran consultant has participated on writing scripts for documentaries on Baja California real estate, medical services, and retirement information at TransBorderCommunications.com. This article first appeared on the June 2009 issue of the San Diego Metropolitan Magazine.
Patrick Osio, Jr. has written a short but intensive manual on the Mexican perspective on numerous issues between our two countries. The manual is an in depth primer on the culture and protocol for better understanding Mexicans that in turn allows establishing personal and business relationships, and how to avoid the most common faux pas that can ruin relationships and business deals. About the author Table of Contents Excerpts from the manual The manual is available through Electronic delivery for $9.95 making it possible to download the manual for save on your hard drive, printing its entirety or particular sections while reaping considerable savings over printed copies.