Prolonged border delays, expanded truck parking, and increased customs staffing could cost the U.K. 1 billion pounds per year after it leaves the European Union, according to a report by Oxera, an economic consultancy.

Andrew Meaney–head of transport at Oxera–wrote this analysis to see what effects Brexit will have on British ports. Using World Trade Organization statistics for trading across borders, Meaney estimated the related costs based on the assumption that Britain would try to create a new customs system that will be as close as possible to the current system. The most likely result would be a “low regulation, high enforcement” policy, he concluded.

“Enforcement is either undertaken at the ports, or on a random checks basis,” the report states. “However, the number of staff involved increases substantially, and many consignments are subject to lengthy checks.”

Meaney described the 10-figure annual cost as “extremely conservative” because it does not take into account the economic costs of uncertainty involved, extra staff, traffic congestion, and land on which to conduct the checks, which led him to conclude, “The full cost is likely to be much higher.”

Even if the billion-pound increase is something that diehard Brexit supporters want, news of the projected increase could not come at a more inconvenient time for the U.K., as the island nation scrambles to figure out how to replace funding from the European Union.

One example of this came up last week when the Local Government Association (LGA) called on Britain’s Treasury to help replace funds that would be used in smaller towns and regions near the coast–known as regeneration funds. Local authorities estimate that nearly 8.4 billion pounds were allocated through the European structural and investment funds between 2014-2020, which means that once Brexit happens, that total would fall on the British government.

“Since the referendum, one of the biggest concerns for councils has been the future of vital E.U. regeneration funding,” said Kevin Bentley, an executive member of the LGA. “Councils have used E.U. funds to help new businesses start up, create thousands of new jobs, roll out broadband, and build new roads and bridges.”

The Treasury’s commitment to these funds would likely mean an increase in domestic taxes for British citizens to maintain existing funding levels. This becomes a bit problematic when wealthier parts of the country–such as London, where a majority voted Remain–will be paying to support the regions inhabited by the people who voted Leave, and much of the tax-paying immigrant base might leave because of Brexit. In fact, Remain voters would be paying double for the government’s decisions–a National Audit Office report in 2016 found that British investments in infrastructure were not doing too well.

Ever since Britain elected to exit the European Union in June 2016, Brexit supporters have seen many troubling revelations about the withdrawal they voted for. From Prime Minister Theresa May confirming that the 350 million pounds a week promised to the NHS after the Brexit vote was a lie, to the European Union’s chief Brexit negotiator, Michael Barnier, ruling earlier this month that the government’s hope of securing “frictionless” trade once outside the E.U. was not possible, Brexit proponents have had little to hang their hats on. A projected spike in border spending only adds to the problem.

Gabe Fernandez

Gabe is an editorial intern at Law Street. He is a Peruvian-American Senior at the University of Maryland pursuing a double degree in Multiplatform Journalism and Marketing. In his free time, he can be found photographing concerts, running around the city, and supporting Manchester United. Contact Gabe at Staff@LawStreetMedia.com.

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Between long security lines, picky customs agents, and all the other inconveniences that can come with air travel, seasoned travelers know that every minute can add up when flying. A relatively new program called “Global Entry,” which is run by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, is designed to help certain travelers receive expedited entry into the United States upon their arrival at certain airports. But what exactly is Global Entry, how does it work, and what changes can we expect to see moving forward? Read on to find out.

Who Qualifies for Global Entry?

Currently, U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, Indian citizens, Colombian citizens, U.K. citizens, German citizens, Panamanian citizens, citizens of Singapore, South Korean citizens, Swiss citizens, and Mexican nationals can qualify for Global Entry. Canadian citizens can participate in the related NEXUS program, which gives them the same benefits as someone who obtains Global Entry.

But there are other requirements that need to be met in order to qualify someone for Global Entry, and there’s never any guarantee that a particular individual will receive it. For example, individuals who have been convicted of any criminal offense or currently have any pending criminal charges against them cannot qualify.

Children are eligible for Global Entry but must go through a process that is pretty much identical to the one for adults (more on that below). Everyone–regardless of age–needs their own Global Entry card. Children are not able to be included on their parents’ or guardians’ cards.

What Benefits Do You Get from Global Entry?

Essentially Global Entry is like a “fast pass” for customs when you’re flying internationally. Normally, when you arrive in the U.S. from an international destination, you have to go through the entire customs process, which includes disclosing certain information and (usually) waiting in line. But travelers who have Global Entry can just proceed straight to a kiosk and work through the process on their own. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection:

At airports, program members proceed to Global Entry kiosks, present their machine-readable passport or U.S. permanent resident card, place their fingerprints on the scanner for fingerprint verification and complete a customs declaration. The kiosk issues the traveler a transaction receipt and directs the traveler to baggage claim and the exit.

That doesn’t necessarily guarantee that someone who has Global Entry will not need any further screening. But for the most part, it should seriously expedite a user’s customs process.

Domestically, having Global Entry qualifies you for TSA PreCheck. TSA PreCheck allows a holder to move quickly through the security process before boarding the plane. If you are a PreCheck holder you don’t have to remove your jacket, shoes, belt, or other accessories when going through a security checkpoint. You can leave items like laptops and appropriate-sized liquids in your carry on, and you have access to a PreCheck line that is usually shorter than the regular security line. TSA PreCheck can also be obtained separately, for those who want access to that program but don’t need Global Entry.

How Do You Get Global Entry?

So, you decide that you travel enough that applying for Global Entry is worth it for you. How do you actually obtain it? It’s a somewhat lengthy process. You start by completing an online form with identifying information. You have to list details about your residency and employment history for the past five years–which can prove complicated for some people, including recent college grads who may have moved around a lot during that time period. The application is incredibly important because an error–even a seemingly minor or innocent one–can lead to a rejection from the Global Entry program.

You have to pay a $100 fee to gain Global Entry–although many travel-focused credit cards now offer to reimburse that fee as part of some sort of perks program.

The next step, if your application isn’t rejected, is an in-person interview at an “enrollment center.” At various points in the Global Entry program’s history, applicants have seen pretty significant wait times, particularly for the interview portion. For example, an AP article from June 2016 detailed months-long wait times in some American cities. In cities like Los Angeles and San Fransisco, applicants may have to wait months for appointments, whereas in other cities with perhaps fewer international travelers, walk-in appointments may be available.

In fact, the overall time burden for Global Entry is a frequent topic of conversation on travel blogs. Many travel bloggers post entries like “How to Get a Quicker Global Entry Appointment!” and “How I Got Approved for Global Entry in 20 Days.”

The interview process involves going back over the information included in your application. It has been theorized that the interview is somewhat of a formality. According to Quartz writer Zachary M. Seward, “You may be asked a few basic questions about how you travel, your employment status, etc. But you wouldn’t have gotten this far in the process if you weren’t already destined for a rubber stamp.”

Once you have Global Entry, it lasts for five years.

Global Entry Controversies and Concerns

Is it Actually Worth It? 

The biggest question usually asked about Global Entry is whether or not the program is actually worth it. It takes time and money to apply, so infrequent travelers might not actually get that many benefits out of it. Seth Kugel of the New York Times points out that Global Entry won’t save you that much time if your travel companions don’t also have Global Entry. While you won’t physically be stuck in the customs line, you’ll still have to wait for your travel partners, like friends, family, or colleagues to make it through the line. Additionally, membership in the program won’t help you get out of the airport any faster if you’ve checked a bag. And as Kugel himself reports, there’s always the chance that your Global Entry gets rejected for whatever reason, and then you get punted to the regular process.

Trump’s Travel Ban and Global Entry 

When President Donald Trump issued the original iteration of his travel ban in January, there were significant concerns about what it could mean for travelers coming from the countries listed. While none of the countries named in either the first or second version of the travel ban are technically eligible for the program, there were questions for travelers who hold dual citizenship. For example, British-Iranian health care entrepreneur Ali Parsa, who runs a company called Babylon Health, spoke to Business Insider about his concerns. Parsa has a U.K. passport, as well as Global Entry, but was concerned about whether or not he could enter the U.S. under the travel ban, because he also has Iranian citizenship.

While that version of the travel ban didn’t end up going into effect, and a recent iteration is still working its way through the courts, the scare raised the question: is Global Entry worth it if the situation is so unstable?

Conclusion

If you’re a big time traveler, Global Entry might be something to consider. But the program, which is designed to speed up travel for its members, is not as perfect as it sounds. From long wait times to obtain the certification to questions about whether it’s actually worth it, applying for Global Entry requires some reflection. But for those who think it’s worth it, it could be a big boon next time they’re ready to head out of the airport as quickly as possible.

Anneliese Mahoney

Anneliese Mahoney is Managing Editor at Law Street and a Connecticut transplant to Washington D.C. She has a Bachelor’s degree in International Affairs from the George Washington University, and a passion for law, politics, and social issues. Contact Anneliese at amahoney@LawStreetMedia.com.

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Thousands of travelers were stranded at airports during delays and subsequent chaos on Monday evening as the computer system for customs screenings went down in several cities. The system was only out of service for a few hours, from about 5 to 9 p.m., but since it was one of the busiest travel days of the year, the impact was profound. As the computer system for screening people was down, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers used “alternative procedures” to vet international travelers. The agency’s spokesman Daniel Hetlage said that officers had access to national security databases the whole time and that they screened all travelers properly according to safety standards.

Passengers on more than 30 flights that arrived at Miami International Airport were affected. In Atlanta, the outage “only” lasted for an hour and a half. In Salt Lake City, airport staff didn’t know where to put all the people to wait. “Delta had us all line up after we landed and it took a while before customs was even able to find us a place where we could wait because the airport is so small,” said passenger Jennifer Powers-Johnson to CNN.

The problems also hit San Francisco, Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Chicago, Los Angeles, Houston and New York’s JFK Airport. As people were coming back home from the holiday weekend and preparing to go back to school and work the day after, this was not a welcome surprise  and many travelers took to Twitter to express their frustration.

US Customs is down and this is the back of the line Atlanta #atl pic.twitter.com/RHcB8Fh4HF

— Darrellkc (@hamptonsunset) January 2, 2017

One passenger wrote on Twitter that two people had passed out because of the heat and humidity in the Miami airport.

@AmericanAir feeling a warm welcome here in Miami. Standstill at the passport control, and we’ve barely moved for half an hour. Please help! pic.twitter.com/gmKqPdWCDU

— Carlos Rico (@carlosrico011) January 2, 2017

According to the New York Daily News, a spokeswoman from the CBP, who remained anonymous, didn’t explain what could have caused the computer glitch, but she said, “CBP officers continue to process international travelers using alternative procedures until systems are back online.” She added that they were “working to process travelers as quickly as possible while maintaining the highest levels of security.” The CBP then sent out a tweet around 10:30 p.m., saying that the system was back online. But by then, most passengers already had been informed, and were delayed or had missed connecting flights.

All airports are back on line after a temporary outage of #CBP’s processing systems. No indication the disruption was malicious in nature.

— CBP (@CustomsBorder) January 3, 2017

Roger Dow, CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, did not think the incident came as a surprise. He said:

What happened at Customs airport checkpoints yesterday is disturbing, but unfortunately it is not surprising. Technology at these facilities is too outdated to cope with existing travel volume, let alone the increased traffic we hope and expect to see at our gateway airports in years to come.

Maybe we all have to prepare for more complicated and lengthy travel procedures in the coming years.

Emma Von Zeipel

Emma Von Zeipel is a staff writer at Law Street Media. She is originally from one of the islands of Stockholm, Sweden. After working for Democratic Voice of Burma in Thailand, she ended up in New York City. She has a BA in journalism from Stockholm University and is passionate about human rights, good books, horses, and European chocolate. Contact Emma at EVonZeipel@LawStreetMedia.com.

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“Don’t call me illegal, because I am not, illegal are your laws, and that’s why I’m not leaving.” A group of thirty undocumented youth chanted this rallying cry in the city of McAllen, Texas, while wondering if they had left behind their families and traveled hundreds of miles for just a fleeting glance of America. Jose Antonio Vargas is a reporter who traveled to McAllen to cover this vigil, and for him, it’s personal. He has had much more than a glance of life in America, calling himself the “most privileged” undocumented immigrant in the country. He has written for the New York Times Magazine and TIME Magazine about his experiences, and directed a recent documentary on the immigration issues facing this nation. He has traveled around the country for over three years, with his seemingly American identity and the media recognition he draws keeping him safe from deportation. But now, in McAllen, he may be no different than the undocumented children whose stories he is reporting.

Vargas went to McAllen to cover the vigil for the undocumented children, and to report on shelters set up by citizens of the town. Shortly after his arrival, he began receiving emails from friends asking him how he planned to get out, considering the checkpoints that were set up outside of the town and the airport. Vargas usually flies on his Filipino passport, but these checkpoints require proof of citizenship to pass. Vargas has now been arrested, and like those undocumented children, what will happen to him remains to be seen.

The crisis in McAllen

There are currently waves of undocumented immigrants flooding into Texas, mainly composed of children. McAllen, one of the cities most hard hit, has responded to this crisis in a way that should make Americans proud. Long before the federal government stepped in to help aid the massive influx of immigrants, the people of McAllen answered the call. Local residents began giving out supplies and aid to immigrants at the local bus station, where the children would often be stranded for hours or even days. Makeshift shelters began operating out of the trunks of cars and the basements of churches. The Rio Grande valley, where McAllen is located, has seen a 178 percent increase in the number of migrant workers the past few months. The federal government was not prepared for this and still is not–shelters remain a poorly met necessity in McAllen. But McAllen has answered the call, with volunteers exceeding the number needed on some days.

But the great work the people of McAllen are doing is not without protest. Outside the shelters housing these children are signs declaring that they should be sent home. It is currently legal for the government to send children to live with relatives, family friends, or a foster family until the children face a deportation hearing, which can sometimes take years. At these hearings the judges will have the authority to allow the children to stay or send them home. But many are saying that Obama has the authority to send these children home and should do so. This crisis has quickly become a frantic flashpoint in American politics, with politicians, pundits, and the media all chiming in.

One politician arguing for deportation is Texas Governor Rick Perry. He says, “allowing them to remain here will only encourage the next group of individuals to undertake this dangerous and life-threatening journey here.” Others have said the children should be allowed to stay, especially considering the dangers they face back home. In a surprise move, conservative pundit Glenn Beck has been a huge advocate for allowing the children to stay. In perhaps the one of the wisest statements Beck has ever made, he said, “I’ve never taken a position more deadly to my career than this — and I have never, ever taken a position that is more right than this.”

A change does need to be made because the current system is far to slow to deal with the influx of child immigrants, but that does not mean the solution is to send them back. These children have left places that are ravished by poverty and gang violence. Sending them back could be akin to authoring their death sentences. It’s clear that the people of McAllen have put politics aside to help these children. It would be nice if politicians would do the same.

Jose Vargas: the “most privileged” undocumented immigrant 

So back to Jose Vargas, the celebrity journalist whose story is now inextricably linked with the children who have arrived at our borders. Jose Vargas is now being detained in the McAllen Border Control Headquarters. He was arrested trying to fly out of a local airport. Vargas, almost better than anyone, knew the risk he was taking, as the Border Control was publicly checking IDs at the airport. He tweeted the incident as seen below:

About to go thru security at McAllen Airport. I don’t know what’s going to happen. For updates follow @DefineAmerican & @MAC_UTPA

— Jose Antonio Vargas (@joseiswriting) July 15, 2014

The only IDs I have for security: Philippine passport and my pocketbook US Constitution @DefineAmerican & @MAC_UTPA pic.twitter.com/IFH0Vb4oX7

— Jose Antonio Vargas (@joseiswriting) July 15, 2014

Here's a photo of @joseiswriting in handcuffs, because the Border Patrol has nothing more pressing to do apparently pic.twitter.com/dN8KewqeZr

— Ryan Grim (@ryangrim) July 15, 2014

Considering what Vargas knew, combined with the way he tweeted before going through security, it seems as if he expected to get arrested. It seems that he is trying to prove a point, or perhaps is just trying to draw attention to the situation. If that is the case, he has succeeded–social media and news networks have been all over his arrest. And if he were to be deported, that would be a even bigger story and rallying cry for his supporters.

If this was done on purpose, Vargas has positioned himself to have a huge political impact on the current humanitarian crisis. He may be able to be the voice that these children don’t have. He is showing the world that undocumented immigrants don’t all look the same. It’s an issue that affects all of us. Hopefully his actions have a real world impact–because something needs to be done in Texas.

Update: Jose Antonio Vargas has been released by the Texas Border Control, with an order to appear in front of an immigration judge. There has been no notable progress on the statuses of the thousands of children in McAllen.

—

Matt DeWilde (@matt_dewilde25) is a member of the American University class of 2016 majoring in politics and considering going to law school. He loves writing about politics, reading, watching Netflix, and long walks on the beach. Contact Matt at staff@LawStreetMedia.com.

Featured image courtesy of [Otzberg via Flickr]

Matt DeWilde

Matt DeWilde is a member of the American University class of 2016 majoring in politics and considering going to law school. He loves writing about politics, reading, watching Netflix, and long walks on the beach. Contact Matt at staff@LawStreetMedia.com.

The post Stuck in McAllen: Jose Vargas and the Texas Immigration Crisis appeared first on Law Street.