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Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) was joined by Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Mitt Romney (R-UT), John Cornyn (R-TX), and James Inhofe (R-OK), as well as colleagues in the House of Representatives, Representatives Jim Banks (R-IN), Ed Case (D-HI), Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), and Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), in sending a letter to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) expressing their support for establishing a CBP preclearance facility in Taiwan. This kind of facility would ease travel between the United States and Taiwan for qualified travelers, including transit passengers from elsewhere in Asia, as well as deepen ties with Taipei.
The full text of the letter is below.
Dear Mr. Miller:
We write to express support for establishing, when public health conditions allow, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) preclearance facility at Taoyuan International Airport in Taiwan. Such a facility would improve the ease of travel between the United States and Taiwan and reinforce the importance of our relationship with Taiwan
As you know, Congress has funded preclearance facilities as they ease travel for both Americans and foreigners flying into the United States. By conducting immigration and customs screening at the point of departure, CBP is able to stop inadmissible travelers before they board the plane, and legitimate travelers are able to bypass long lines upon arrival. Airlines also are able to park precleared flights at far more gates at airports in the United States than international flights that require screening upon landing. A reduction in the number of arriving passengers who must be screened will ease crowding at domestic CBP facilities, and less busy facilities will make inbound travel easier for everyone. The benefits, which are numerous, will be fully realized as we continue to take steps in combatting the COVID-19 pandemic.
Taiwan is an outstanding choice for the next CBP preclearance facility. All of the current preclearance facilities abroad are located in Canada, the Caribbean, Europe, and the Middle East, but the Indo-Pacific region is a critical region for our economic future. Taoyuan International Airport already hosts numerous non-stop flights to the United States, and is a major transit point in Asia. Taiwan is America’s ninth-largest trading partner and its government strongly supports Taoyuan airport’s bid for the preclearance facility program.
It is our understanding that Taiwan has submitted a formal application to CBP for preclearance at Taoyuan International Airport. We urge your full and fair consideration of Taiwan’s application.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
Sincerely,