[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]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
[[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.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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
