Bill Summary
The Taiwan Preclearance Act is a proposed bill in the United States to analyze the potential impacts of establishing U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) preclearance facilities in Taiwan and other Indo-Pacific countries. The bill highlights the already-existing CBP preclearance stations in foreign airports and the benefits of implementing these facilities in additional locations. It also acknowledges Taiwan's designation for participation in the Visa Waiver Program and Global Entry program, which allows for expedited immigration and customs clearance. The bill expresses the sense of Congress that Taiwan is an important partner in the Indo-Pacific region and that the U.S. should prioritize establishing preclearance facilities with allies and partners in this region. The bill directs the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of Commerce, to submit a report to appropriate congressional committees within 180 days of enactment. This report will include a plan for establishing preclearance facilities, an analysis of the feasibility and advisability of these facilities in Taiwan, and an assessment of the potential impacts on trade, tourism, and other factors. The bill also requires country-specific information on the expected benefits and vulnerabilities of conducting preclearance operations in Taiwan.
Possible Impacts
1. If the Taiwan Preclearance Act is passed, it could potentially affect the trade relationship between the United States and Taiwan by streamlining and expediting the customs process for goods entering the US, potentially leading to increased trade and economic benefits for both countries.
2. The Act could also have an impact on the tourism industry in the United States, as it may encourage more Taiwanese travelers to visit the US with the ease of obtaining a visa and expedited customs process.
3. The establishment of preclearance facilities in Taiwan could also have an effect on the staffing and resources of U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, as they may need to allocate more personnel and resources to support these operations in the Indo-Pacific region.
[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 3312 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
117th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 3312
To analyze the impacts of establishing U.S. Customs and Border
Protection Preclearance facilities in Taiwan and in other Indo-Pacific
countries.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
December 2, 2021
Mr. Hawley (for himself, Mr. Cornyn, Mr. Tillis, Mr. Scott of Florida,
Mr. Tuberville, Mr. Braun, and Mrs. Hyde-Smith) introduced the
following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To analyze the impacts of establishing U.S. Customs and Border
Protection Preclearance facilities in Taiwan and in other Indo-Pacific
countries.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Taiwan Preclearance Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) U.S. Customs and Border Protection preclearance
stations U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers and
specialists at foreign airports to inspect travelers prior to
boarding United States-bound flight.
(2) More than 600 U.S. Customs and Border Protection
officers and specialists are stationed in Aruba, The Bahamas,
Bermuda, Canada, Ireland, and The United Arab Emirates.
(3) A preclearance program at Taiwan's Taoyuan
International Airport (TPE) would signal Taiwan's importance to
the United States and compliance with international aviation
rules.
(4) In 2012, the United States announced Taiwan's
designation for participation in the Visa Waiver Program, which
allows for Taiwanese passport holders to enter and remain in
the United States for up to 90 days obtaining a United States
visa.
(5) In 2017, Taiwan became the third location in East Asia
and the 12th nation worldwide to be eligible for the Global
Entry program, which allows for expedited immigration and
customs clearance and pre-approval.
SEC. 3. SENSE OF CONGRESS.
It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) Taiwan is a steadfast partner of the United States in
the common pursuit of a free and open Indo-Pacific region; and
(2) the United States should prioritize the establishment
of preclearance facilities and other security programs with
allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region, including
Taiwan.
SEC. 4. DEFINED TERM.
The term ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
(1) the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs of the Senate;
(2) the Committee on Finance of the Senate;
(3) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
of the Senate;
(4) the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of
Representatives; and
(5) the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of
Representatives.
SEC. 5. REPORT.
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this
Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the
Secretary of Commerce, shall submit a report to the appropriate
congressional committees that--
(1) describes the plan for the establishment of a
preclearance facility in Taiwan or in other countries in the
Indo-Pacific region;
(2) analyzes the feasibility and advisability for the
establishment of a preclearance facility in Taiwan;
(3) assesses the impacts that preclearance operations in
Taiwan will have on--
(A) trade between the United States and Taiwan,
including the impact on established supply chains;
(B) the tourism industry in the United States,
including the potential impact on revenue and tourist-
related commerce;
(C) United States and foreign passengers traveling
to the United States for business-related activities;
(D) cost savings and potential market access by
expanding operations into the Indo-Pacific region;
(E) opportunities for government-to-government
collaboration available in Taiwan after preclearance
operations are established; and
(F) U.S. Customs and Border Patrol international
and domestic port of entry staffing; and
(4) includes country-specific information on the
anticipated homeland security benefits and the security
vulnerabilities associated with conducting preclearance
operations in Taiwan.
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