Border Security Technology, Immigration to Drive 2008 Debate in Austin, Texas

E.J. Krause & Associates announced that Austin, Texas has been officially selected as next year's host for the Global Border Security Conference and Technology Expo on May 21-22, 2008. The conference and technology exposition will focus on strategies and tools for border management including surveillance technologies, identification management, biometrics, bio-hazard detection, intelligence sharing, law enforcement technology training and global trade.
One month after a comprehensive immigration bill died in the Senate, lawmakers remain divided on how to proceed with securing the U.S. border. While many analysts expect to see single issue immigration bills advanced after Congress reconvenes in September, most expect that any sweeping reform will be depend upon the next President of the United States -- making 2008 a defining year in the debate over immigration and border security.

Said Michael Rosenberg, Vice President of Homeland Security, for E.J. Krause, "The Global Border Security Conference is an opportunity for border technology and immigration policy leaders from around the globe to come together and advance solutions that work. At this critical time in our nation's history, we are proud to be hosting this conference in Austin, Texas and hope that it can be a catalyst for dialogue and decision on these critical issues of economic freedom and security."

The 2008 Global Border Security Conference is scheduled less than six months before the November presidential election. With all but one presidential primary concluded by May 2008, both the Republican and Democratic candidates will have been chosen and the business of border security may hang in the balance. Programs like SBInet, the massive Boeing border integration project, are already underway, and technology companies with solutions for border enforcement, surveillance and identification will have an opportunity to become part of the solution. Said Rosenberg, "The time for action on border security is here and the companies that offer achievable solutions for enforcement and cross-border trade will have a unique opportunity for growth and success as lawmakers and law enforcement look for answers."

On any given day, more than 1 million people, including over 600,000 aliens, over 300,000 private vehicles, and over 80,000 shipments of goods, are processed at the nation's borders. A priority for the Administration has been to improve immigration controls and security along the border with Mexico and Canada. More than $50 billion dollars have been allocated by federal and state government for homeland and border security.

In May 2007, hundreds of technology leaders and border security decision makers from the U.S., Canada, Europe and Mexico gathered in San Antonio for the inaugural Global Border Security Conference and Expo featuring speakers such as Asa Hutchinson, Former Undersecretary for Border and Transportation Security, DHS, John P. Clark, Deputy Assistant Secretary, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and The Honorable David Aguilar, Chief, Border Patrol, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.