96-12883. Customs/INS Field Organizations; Revocations and Designation of International Airport Status for Customs Services and Ports of Entry for Aliens Arriving by Aircraft  

  • [Federal Register Volume 61, Number 101 (Thursday, May 23, 1996)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 25776-25778]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 96-12883]
    
    
    
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    [[Page 25777]]
    
    DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
    
    Immigration and Naturalization Service
    
    8 CFR Part 100
    
    [INS No. 1677-94]
    RIN 1115-AD84
    
    DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
    
    Customs Service
    
    19 CFR Part 122
    
    [T.D. 96-44]
    RIN 1515-AB64
    
    
    Customs/INS Field Organizations; Revocations and Designation of 
    International Airport Status for Customs Services and Ports of Entry 
    for Aliens Arriving by Aircraft
    
    AGENCIES: Immigration and Naturalization Service, Justice; Customs 
    Service, Treasury.
    
    ACTION: Final rule.
    
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    SUMMARY: This document amends the regulations of both the Customs 
    Service (Customs) and the Immigration and Naturalization Service (the 
    Service) pertaining to their respective field organizations. The 
    document removes Eagle Pass Municipal Airport located in Eagle Pass, 
    Texas, as an international airport for Customs purposes and as a port 
    of entry for aliens arriving by vessel or by land transportation for 
    Service purposes. This document also designates Maverick County Airport 
    located in Maverick County, Texas, as a new international airport for 
    Customs purposes and as a port of entry for aliens arriving by vessel, 
    land transportation, or by aircraft for Service purposes. These changes 
    will assist both agencies in their continuing efforts to achieve more 
    efficient use of their personnel, facilities, and resources, and to 
    provide better service to carriers, importers, and the general public.
    
    EFFECTIVE DATE: June 24, 1996.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
    
    At Customs Service--Priscilla Frink, Passenger Operations Division, 
    Office of Field Operations, (202) 927-1323;
    At Immigration and Naturalization Service--Andrea Sickler, Assistant 
    Chief Inspector, Office of Inspections, Immigration and Naturalization 
    Service, 425 I Street, N.W., Room 7228, Washington, D.C. 20536, (202) 
    616-7993.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    
    Background
    
        On March 27, 1995, the Customs Service (Customs) and the 
    Immigration and Naturalization Service (the Service) published a joint 
    notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register (60 FR 15703) 
    that solicited comments concerning proposals to amend their respective 
    regulations regarding their field organizations. Customs proposed 
    amending Sec. 122.13 of the Customs Regulations (19 CFR 122.13), which 
    lists international airports, to reflect (1) The revocations of 
    international airport designations for Ranier International Seaplane 
    Base located in Ranier, Minnesota, and Eagle Pass Municipal Airport 
    located in Eagle Pass, Texas, and (2) the designation of Maverick 
    County Airport located in Maverick County, Texas, as an international 
    airport. Similarly, the Service proposed amending 8 CFR 100.4(c)(2) and 
    (3) which pertain to ports of entry for aliens arriving by vessel, land 
    transportation, or by aircraft, to reflect (1) The removal of the same 
    two ports of entry (Ranier International Seaplane Base in the Service 
    District of St. Paul, Minnesota, and Eagle Pass Municipal Airport in 
    the Service District of San Antonio, Texas), and (2) the designation of 
    Maverick County Airport as a port of entry for the processing of aliens 
    arriving by vessel, land transportation, or by aircraft.
        At the time of drafting the joint notice of proposed rulemaking it 
    was believed that the proposed changes to the field organizations of 
    the two agencies would not result in any significant reduction in 
    Customs/Immigration services in those areas. Future Minnesota 
    transactions were to be handled at either Sky Harbor Airport or Crane 
    Lake Seaplane Base, both landing rights airports. Future Texas 
    transactions were to be handled at Maverick County Airport, also a 
    landing rights airport, which was to be designated as an international 
    airport for Customs purposes and a port of entry for Service purposes. 
    The public comment period for the proposed amendments closed May 26, 
    1995.
    
    Discussion of Comments
    
    Ranier
    
        Two comments were received, both protesting the revocation/
    withdrawal of the international airport/port of entry designation for 
    Ranier International Seaplane Base located in Ranier, Minnesota. Both 
    comments stated that revocation of the Ranier International Seaplane 
    Base would be inappropriate because the facility was important to the 
    commercial and private seaplane traffic crossing at the Ontario and 
    Northern Minnesota borders. Accordingly, after further consideration of 
    the matter and discovering that the community has taken action to 
    improve the inspection facilities at the Seaplane Base and to eliminate 
    unsafe working conditions, Customs and the Service have decided to 
    withdraw their proposal regarding the revocation/withdrawal of 
    international airport/port of entry status for Ranier International 
    Seaplane Base, Minnesota.
    
    Eagle Pass/Maverick
    
        No comments were received regarding the: (1) Revocation/withdrawal 
    of the international airport/port of entry status for Eagle Pass 
    Municipal Airport, Texas, and the (2) designation of Maverick County 
    Airport, Texas, as an international airport/port of entry. Accordingly, 
    after further consideration of this matter, Customs and the Service 
    have decided to proceed with the final rule respecting this change in 
    their field organization. However, it will not be necessary to amend 8 
    CFR 100.4(c)(3) to remove ``Eagle Pass, TX, Eagle Pass Airport'' as a 
    port of entry for aliens arriving by aircraft, since this action has 
    already been accomplished by the Service in a final rule published on 
    November 14, 1995, at 60 FR 57165.
    
    Conclusion
    
        Accordingly, Customs and the Service are amending their respective 
    regulations regarding the: (1) Revocation/withdrawal of the 
    international airport/port of entry status for Eagle Pass Municipal 
    Airport, Texas, and the (2) designation of Maverick County Airport, 
    Texas, as an international airport/port of entry. The International 
    Seaplane Base located in Ranier, Minnesota, will continue to provide 
    Customs and Immigration services.
    
    Authority
    
        This change is proposed under the authority of 5 U.S.C. 301, 8 
    U.S.C. 1103, and 19 U.S.C. 2, 66, and 1624.
    
    Inapplicability of the Regulatory Flexibility Act and Executive 
    Orders 12606, 12612, and 12866
    
        Although the joint notice of proposed rulemaking published 
    solicited public comments, because these regulatory amendments relate 
    to agency management and organization matters, pursuant to the 
    provisions of 5 U.S.C. 553(a)(2), they are not subject to the notice 
    and public procedure requirements. Accordingly, this document is not 
    subject to the provisions of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 
    601 et seq.).
        Pursuant to the provisions of E.O. 12606, the Commissioners of 
    Customs and the Immigration and Naturalization Service certify that 
    they have assessed these amendments in light of the criteria
    
    [[Page 25778]]
    
    set forth in that E.O., and determined that this regulation will not 
    have a significant impact on family formation, maintenance, and general 
    well-being.
        Pursuant to the provisions of E.O. 12612, it is certified that this 
    regulation has been assessed in light of the principles, criteria, and 
    requirements specified in that E.O. and that they will not have 
    substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship between 
    the National Government and the States, or on the distribution of power 
    and responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, 
    the preparation of a Federalism Assessment is not warranted.
        This document does not meet the criteria for a ``significant 
    regulatory action'' as defined in E.O. 12866.
    
    Drafting Information
    
        The principal author of this document was Gregory R. Vilders, 
    Attorney, Office of Regulations and Rulings, U.S. Customs Service; 
    however, personnel from other offices and agencies participated in its 
    development.
    
    List of Subjects
    
    8 CFR Part 100
    
        Administrative practice and procedure, Organizations and functions 
    (Government agencies).
    
    19 CFR Part 122
    
        Administrative practice and procedure, Air carriers, Aircraft, 
    Airports, Air transportation, Baggage, Customs duties and inspection, 
    Drug traffic control, Imports, Reporting and recordkeeping 
    requirements.
    
    Amendments to the Regulations
    
        Accordingly, part 100 of chapter I of title 8 of the Code of 
    Federal Regulations and part 122 of chapter I of title 19 of the Code 
    of Federal Regulations are amended as follows:
    
    Title 8--Aliens and Nationality
    
    PART 100--STATEMENT OF ORGANIZATION
    
        1. The authority citation for part 100 continues to read as 
    follows:
    
        Authority: 8 U.S.C. 1103; 8 CFR part 2.
    
    
    Sec. 100.4  [Amended]
    
        2. In Sec. 100.4, paragraph (c)(2) is amended by:
        a. Removing ``Eagle Pass, TX'' from the Class A listing under 
    District No. 14--San Antonio, Texas; and by
        b. Adding, in proper alphabetical sequence, ``Maverick, TX'' to the 
    Class A listing under District No. 14--San Antonio, Texas.
        3. In Sec. 100.4, paragraph (c)(3) is amended by adding, in proper 
    alphabetical sequence, ``Maverick, TX, Maverick County Airport'' to the 
    Class A listing under District No. 14--San Antonio, Texas.
    
    Title 19--Customs Duties
    
    PART 122--AIR COMMERCE REGULATIONS
    
        1. The authority citation for part 122 continues to read as 
    follows:
    
        Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 19 U.S.C. 58b, 66, 1433, 1436, 1459, 
    1590, 1594, 1623, 1624, 1644,; 49 U.S.C. app. 1509.
    
    
    Sec. 122.13  [Amended]
    
        2. In Sec. 122.13, the list of international airports is amended by 
    removing ``Eagle Pass, Tex.--Eagle Pass Municipal Airport'' and adding, 
    in appropriate alphabetical order, ``Maverick, Tex.--Maverick County 
    Airport''.
    
        Approved: May 2, 1996.
    
    George J. Weise,
    Commissioner of Customs.
    John P. Simpson,
    Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Treasury.
    
    April 12, 1996.
    
    Doris Meissner,
    Commissioner of Immigration and Naturalization Service.
    [FR Doc. 96-12883 Filed 5-22-96; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4820-02-P
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
6/24/1996
Published:
05/23/1996
Department:
Customs Service
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule.
Document Number:
96-12883
Dates:
June 24, 1996.
Pages:
25776-25778 (3 pages)
Docket Numbers:
INS No. 1677-94, T.D. 96-44
RINs:
1115-AD84: Revocations and Designation of International Airport Status for Ports of Entry for Aliens Arriving by Aircraft, 1515-AB64: Customs/INS Service Field Organizations; Revocations and Designations of International Airport Status for Customs Services and Ports of Entry for Aliens Arriving by Aircraft
RIN Links:
https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/1115-AD84/revocations-and-designation-of-international-airport-status-for-ports-of-entry-for-aliens-arriving-b, https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/1515-AB64/customs-ins-service-field-organizations-revocations-and-designations-of-international-airport-status
PDF File:
96-12883.pdf
CFR: (2)
8 CFR 100.4
19 CFR 122.13