Notification of Temporary Travel Restrictions Applicable to Land Ports of Entry and Ferries Service Between the United States and Mexico, 32766-32767 [2021-13235]
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 118 / Wednesday, June 23, 2021 / Rules and Regulations
integrated U.S. government effort and
guided by the objective analysis and
recommendations of public health and
medical experts, DHS is working closely
with counterparts in Mexico and
Canada to identify conditions under
which restrictions may be eased safely
and sustainably.
The Commissioner of U.S. Customs
and Border Protection (CBP) is hereby
directed to prepare and distribute
appropriate guidance to CBP personnel
on the continued implementation of the
temporary measures set forth in this
Notification. The CBP Commissioner
may determine that other forms of
travel, such as travel in furtherance of
economic stability or social order,
constitute ‘‘essential travel’’ under this
Notification. Further, the CBP
Commissioner may, on an
individualized basis and for
humanitarian reasons or for other
purposes in the national interest, permit
the processing of travelers to the United
States not engaged in ‘‘essential travel.’’
Alejandro N. Mayorkas,
Secretary, U.S. Department of Homeland
Security.
[FR Doc. 2021–13238 Filed 6–21–21; 12:30 pm]
BILLING CODE 9112–FP–P
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND
SECURITY
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
19 CFR Chapter I
Notification of Temporary Travel
Restrictions Applicable to Land Ports
of Entry and Ferries Service Between
the United States and Mexico
Office of the Secretary,
Department of Homeland Security; U.S.
Customs and Border Protection,
Department of Homeland Security.
ACTION: Notification of continuation of
temporary travel restrictions.
AGENCY:
This document announces the
decision of the Secretary of Homeland
Security (Secretary) to continue to
temporarily limit the travel of
individuals from Mexico into the United
States at land ports of entry along the
United States-Mexico border. Such
travel will be limited to ‘‘essential
travel,’’ as further defined in this
document.
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SUMMARY:
These restrictions go into effect
at 12 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
on June 22, 2021 and will remain in
effect until 11:59 p.m. EDT on July 21,
2021, unless amended or rescinded
prior to that time.
DATES:
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15:58 Jun 22, 2021
Jkt 253001
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Stephanie Watson, Office of Field
Operations Coronavirus Coordination
Cell, U.S. Customs and Border
Protection (CBP) at 202–325–0840.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On March 24, 2020, DHS published
notice of its decision to temporarily
limit the travel of individuals from
Mexico into the United States at land
ports of entry along the United StatesMexico border to ‘‘essential travel,’’ as
further defined in that document.1 The
document described the developing
circumstances regarding the COVID–19
pandemic and stated that, given the
outbreak and continued transmission
and spread of the virus associated with
COVID–19 within the United States and
globally, DHS had determined that the
risk of continued transmission and
spread of the virus associated with
COVID–19 between the United States
and Mexico posed a ‘‘specific threat to
human life or national interests.’’ DHS
later published a series of notifications
continuing such limitations on travel
until 11:59 p.m. EDT on June 21, 2021.2
DHS continues to monitor and
respond to the COVID–19 pandemic. As
of the week of June 14, 2021, there have
been over 172 million confirmed cases
globally, with over 3.7 million
confirmed deaths.3 There have been
over 33 million confirmed and probable
cases within the United States,4 over 1.3
1 85 FR 16547 (Mar. 24, 2020). That same day,
DHS also published notice of its decision to
temporarily limit the travel of individuals from
Canada into the United States at land ports of entry
along the United States-Canada border to ‘‘essential
travel,’’ as further defined in that document. 85 FR
16548 (Mar. 24, 2020).
2 See 86 FR 27800 (May 24, 2021); 86 FR 21189
(Apr. 22, 2021); 86 FR 14813 (Mar. 19, 2021); 86
FR 10816 (Feb. 23, 2021); 86 FR 4967 (Jan. 19,
2021); 85 FR 83433 (Dec. 22, 2020); 85 FR 74604
(Nov. 23, 2020); 85 FR 67275 (Oct. 22, 2020); 85 FR
59669 (Sept. 23, 2020); 85 FR 51633 (Aug. 21,
2020); 85 FR 44183 (July 22, 2020); 85 FR 37745
(June 24, 2020); 85 FR 31057 (May 22, 2020); 85 FR
22353 (Apr. 22, 2020). DHS also published parallel
notifications of its decisions to continue
temporarily limiting the travel of individuals from
Canada into the United States at land ports of entry
along the United States-Canada border to ‘‘essential
travel.’’ See 86 FR 27802 (May 24, 2021); 86 FR
21188 (Apr. 22, 2021); 86 FR 14812 (Mar. 19, 2021);
86 FR 10815 (Feb. 23, 2021); 86 FR 4969 (Jan. 19,
2021); 85 FR 83432 (Dec. 22, 2020); 85 FR 74603
(Nov. 23, 2020); 85 FR 67276 (Oct. 22, 2020); 85 FR
59670 (Sept. 23, 2020); 85 FR 51634 (Aug. 21,
2020); 85 FR 44185 (July 22, 2020); 85 FR 37744
(June 24, 2020); 85 FR 31050 (May 22, 2020); 85 FR
22352 (Apr. 22, 2020).
3 WHO, Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID–19)
Weekly Epidemiological Update (June 8, 2021),
available at https://www.who.int/emergencies/
diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/situation-reports
(accessed June 14, 2021).
4 CDC, COVID Data Tracker: United States
COVID–19 Cases, Deaths, and Laboratory Testing
PO 00000
Frm 00046
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
million confirmed cases in Canada,5 and
over 2.4 million confirmed cases in
Mexico.6
DHS also notes positive developments
in recent weeks. CDC reports that, as of
June 14, over 310 million vaccine doses
have been administered in the United
States and almost 55% of adults in the
United States are fully vaccinated.7 On
June 7, 2021, CDC moved Canada and
Mexico from COVID–19 Level 4 (Very
High) to Level 3 (High) in recognition of
conditions that, while still requiring
significant safeguards, are improving. 8
Notice of Action
Given the outbreak and continued
transmission and spread of COVID–19
within the United States and globally,
the Secretary has determined that the
risk of continued transmission and
spread of the virus associated with
COVID–19 between the United States
and Mexico poses an ongoing ‘‘specific
threat to human life or national
interests.’’
U.S. and Mexican officials have
mutually determined that non-essential
travel between the United States and
Mexico currently poses additional risk
of transmission and spread of the virus
associated with COVID–19 and places
the populace of both nations at
increased risk of contracting the virus
associated with COVID–19. Moreover,
given the sustained human-to-human
transmission of the virus, coupled with
risks posed by new variants, returning
to previous levels of travel between the
two nations places the personnel
staffing land ports of entry between the
United States and Mexico, as well as the
individuals traveling through these
ports of entry, at increased risk of
exposure to the virus associated with
(NAATs) by State, Territory, and Jurisdiction (June
13, 2021), https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/
#cases_casesper100klast7days (accessed June 14,
2021).
5 WHO, COVID–19 Weekly Epidemiological
Update (June 8, 2021).
6 Id.
7 See CDC, COVID Data Tracker: COVID–19
Vaccinations in the United States (June 14, 2021),
https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/
#vaccinations (accessed June 15, 2021).
8 See CDC, Travel Notice; COVID–19 in Canada
(June 7, 2021), https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/
notices/covid-4/coronavirus-canada (accessed June
10, 2021); CDC, Travel Notice: COVID–19 in Mexico
(June 7, 2021), https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/
notices/covid-4/coronavirus-mexico (accessed June
10, 2021). In addition, on June 8, 2021, the
Department of State moved Canada and Mexico
from Level 4 (Do Not Travel) to Level 3 (Reconsider
Travel). See Department of State, Canada Travel
Advisory (June 8, 2021), https://travel.state.gov/
content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/
canada-travel-advisory.html (accessed June 10,
2021); Department of State, Mexico Travel Advisory
(June 8, 2021), https://travel.state.gov/content/
travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/mexicotravel-advisory.html (accessed June 10, 2021).
E:\FR\FM\23JNR1.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 118 / Wednesday, June 23, 2021 / Rules and Regulations
jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with RULES
COVID–19. Accordingly, and consistent
with the authority granted in 19 U.S.C.
1318(b)(1)(C) and (b)(2),9 I have
determined that land ports of entry
along the U.S.-Mexico border will
continue to suspend normal operations
and will only allow processing for entry
into the United States of those travelers
engaged in ‘‘essential travel,’’ as defined
below. Given the definition of ‘‘essential
travel’’ below, this temporary alteration
in land ports of entry operations should
not interrupt legitimate trade between
the two nations or disrupt critical
supply chains that ensure food, fuel,
medicine, and other critical materials
reach individuals on both sides of the
border.
For purposes of the temporary
alteration in certain designated ports of
entry operations authorized under 19
U.S.C. 1318(b)(1)(C) and (b)(2), travel
through the land ports of entry and ferry
terminals along the United StatesMexico border shall be limited to
‘‘essential travel,’’ which includes, but
is not limited to—
• U.S. citizens and lawful permanent
residents returning to the United States;
• Individuals traveling for medical
purposes (e.g., to receive medical
treatment in the United States);
• Individuals traveling to attend
educational institutions;
• Individuals traveling to work in the
United States (e.g., individuals working
in the farming or agriculture industry
who must travel between the United
States and Mexico in furtherance of
such work);
• Individuals traveling for emergency
response and public health purposes
9 19 U.S.C. 1318(b)(1)(C) provides that
‘‘[n]otwithstanding any other provision of law, the
Secretary of the Treasury, when necessary to
respond to a national emergency declared under the
National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.)
or to a specific threat to human life or national
interests,’’ is authorized to ‘‘[t]ake any . . . action
that may be necessary to respond directly to the
national emergency or specific threat.’’ On March
1, 2003, certain functions of the Secretary of the
Treasury were transferred to the Secretary of
Homeland Security. See 6 U.S.C. 202(2), 203(1).
Under 6 U.S.C. 212(a)(1), authorities ‘‘related to
Customs revenue functions’’ were reserved to the
Secretary of the Treasury. To the extent that any
authority under section 1318(b)(1) was reserved to
the Secretary of the Treasury, it has been delegated
to the Secretary of Homeland Security. See Treas.
Dep’t Order No. 100–16 (May 15, 2003), 68 FR
28322 (May 23, 2003). Additionally, 19 U.S.C.
1318(b)(2) provides that ‘‘[n]otwithstanding any
other provision of law, the Commissioner of U.S.
Customs and Border Protection, when necessary to
respond to a specific threat to human life or
national interests, is authorized to close temporarily
any Customs office or port of entry or take any other
lesser action that may be necessary to respond to
the specific threat.’’ Congress has vested in the
Secretary of Homeland Security the ‘‘functions of
all officers, employees, and organizational units of
the Department,’’ including the Commissioner of
CBP. 6 U.S.C. 112(a)(3).
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15:58 Jun 22, 2021
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32767
(e.g., government officials or emergency
responders entering the United States to
support federal, state, local, tribal, or
territorial government efforts to respond
to COVID–19 or other emergencies);
• Individuals engaged in lawful crossborder trade (e.g., truck drivers
supporting the movement of cargo
between the United States and Mexico);
• Individuals engaged in official
government travel or diplomatic travel;
• Members of the U.S. Armed Forces,
and the spouses and children of
members of the U.S. Armed Forces,
returning to the United States; and
• Individuals engaged in militaryrelated travel or operations.
The following travel does not fall
within the definition of ‘‘essential
travel’’ for purposes of this
Notification—
• Individuals traveling for tourism
purposes (e.g., sightseeing, recreation,
gambling, or attending cultural events).
At this time, this Notification does not
apply to air, freight rail, or sea travel
between the United States and Mexico,
but does apply to passenger rail,
passenger ferry travel, and pleasure boat
travel between the United States and
Mexico. These restrictions are
temporary in nature and shall remain in
effect until 11:59 p.m. EDT on July 21,
2021. This Notification may be amended
or rescinded prior to that time, based on
circumstances associated with the
specific threat. Meanwhile, as part of an
integrated U.S. government effort and
guided by the objective analysis and
recommendations of public health and
medical experts, DHS is working closely
with counterparts in Mexico and
Canada to identify conditions under
which restrictions may be eased safely
and sustainably.
The Commissioner of U.S. Customs
and Border Protection (CBP) is hereby
directed to prepare and distribute
appropriate guidance to CBP personnel
on the continued implementation of the
temporary measures set forth in this
Notification. The CBP Commissioner
may determine that other forms of
travel, such as travel in furtherance of
economic stability or social order,
constitute ‘‘essential travel’’ under this
Notification. Further, the CBP
Commissioner may, on an
individualized basis and for
humanitarian reasons or for other
purposes in the national interest, permit
the processing of travelers to the United
States not engaged in ‘‘essential travel.’’
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND
URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Alejandro N. Mayorkas,
Secretary, U.S. Department of Homeland
Security.
On page 30792, in the second column,
after the title for Part 92, in amendment
11, the instruction ‘‘Amend § 92.508 by
revising paragraph (a)(7(i)(C) to read as
follows:’’ is corrected to read ‘‘Amend
[FR Doc. 2021–13235 Filed 6–21–21; 12:30 pm]
BILLING CODE 9112–FP–P
PO 00000
Frm 00047
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
24 CFR Part 92
[Docket No. FR–6249–C–02]
RIN 2529–AB01
Restoring Affirmatively Furthering Fair
Housing Definitions and Certifications
AGENCY:
Office of General Counsel,
HUD.
ACTION:
Interim final rule; correction.
On July 10, 2021, HUD
published its Restoring Affirmatively
Furthering Fair Housing Definitions and
Certifications interim final rule. Shortly
thereafter, the Office of the Federal
Register alerted HUD to a scrivener’s
error in the amendatory instructions of
the interim final rule. In this document,
HUD corrects this error.
DATES: Effective date: July 31, 2021.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Aaron Santa Anna, Associate General
Counsel for Legislation and Regulations,
Department of Housing and Urban
Development, 451 7th Street SW, Room
10238, Washington, DC 20410;
telephone number 202–708–1793 (this
is not a toll-free number). Persons with
hearing or speech impairments may
access this number through TTY by
calling the toll-free Federal Relay at
800–877–8339 (this is a toll-free
number).
SUMMARY:
On July
10, 2021 (86 FR 30779), HUD published
its Restoring Affirmatively Furthering
Fair Housing Definitions and
Certifications interim final rule.
Following publication, the Federal
Register alerted HUD to an error in the
amendatory instruction for revisions to
24 CFR 92.508. Specifically, the
amendatory instruction directed that
paragraph (a)(7)(i)(C) be revised,
however, the revision being made by the
interim final rule is to paragraph
(a)(7)(i)(B). This document corrects the
amendatory instructions for 24 CFR
92.508 to reflect the correct paragraph
being revised.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Correction
In FR Doc. 2021–12114 appearing on
page 30779 in the Federal Register on
July 10, 2021, the following correction
is made:
§ 92.508
E:\FR\FM\23JNR1.SGM
[Corrected]
23JNR1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 118 (Wednesday, June 23, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 32766-32767]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-13235]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
19 CFR Chapter I
Notification of Temporary Travel Restrictions Applicable to Land
Ports of Entry and Ferries Service Between the United States and Mexico
AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Department of Homeland Security; U.S.
Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security.
ACTION: Notification of continuation of temporary travel restrictions.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This document announces the decision of the Secretary of
Homeland Security (Secretary) to continue to temporarily limit the
travel of individuals from Mexico into the United States at land ports
of entry along the United States-Mexico border. Such travel will be
limited to ``essential travel,'' as further defined in this document.
DATES: These restrictions go into effect at 12 a.m. Eastern Daylight
Time (EDT) on June 22, 2021 and will remain in effect until 11:59 p.m.
EDT on July 21, 2021, unless amended or rescinded prior to that time.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephanie Watson, Office of Field
Operations Coronavirus Coordination Cell, U.S. Customs and Border
Protection (CBP) at 202-325-0840.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On March 24, 2020, DHS published notice of its decision to
temporarily limit the travel of individuals from Mexico into the United
States at land ports of entry along the United States-Mexico border to
``essential travel,'' as further defined in that document.\1\ The
document described the developing circumstances regarding the COVID-19
pandemic and stated that, given the outbreak and continued transmission
and spread of the virus associated with COVID-19 within the United
States and globally, DHS had determined that the risk of continued
transmission and spread of the virus associated with COVID-19 between
the United States and Mexico posed a ``specific threat to human life or
national interests.'' DHS later published a series of notifications
continuing such limitations on travel until 11:59 p.m. EDT on June 21,
2021.\2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ 85 FR 16547 (Mar. 24, 2020). That same day, DHS also
published notice of its decision to temporarily limit the travel of
individuals from Canada into the United States at land ports of
entry along the United States-Canada border to ``essential travel,''
as further defined in that document. 85 FR 16548 (Mar. 24, 2020).
\2\ See 86 FR 27800 (May 24, 2021); 86 FR 21189 (Apr. 22, 2021);
86 FR 14813 (Mar. 19, 2021); 86 FR 10816 (Feb. 23, 2021); 86 FR 4967
(Jan. 19, 2021); 85 FR 83433 (Dec. 22, 2020); 85 FR 74604 (Nov. 23,
2020); 85 FR 67275 (Oct. 22, 2020); 85 FR 59669 (Sept. 23, 2020); 85
FR 51633 (Aug. 21, 2020); 85 FR 44183 (July 22, 2020); 85 FR 37745
(June 24, 2020); 85 FR 31057 (May 22, 2020); 85 FR 22353 (Apr. 22,
2020). DHS also published parallel notifications of its decisions to
continue temporarily limiting the travel of individuals from Canada
into the United States at land ports of entry along the United
States-Canada border to ``essential travel.'' See 86 FR 27802 (May
24, 2021); 86 FR 21188 (Apr. 22, 2021); 86 FR 14812 (Mar. 19, 2021);
86 FR 10815 (Feb. 23, 2021); 86 FR 4969 (Jan. 19, 2021); 85 FR 83432
(Dec. 22, 2020); 85 FR 74603 (Nov. 23, 2020); 85 FR 67276 (Oct. 22,
2020); 85 FR 59670 (Sept. 23, 2020); 85 FR 51634 (Aug. 21, 2020); 85
FR 44185 (July 22, 2020); 85 FR 37744 (June 24, 2020); 85 FR 31050
(May 22, 2020); 85 FR 22352 (Apr. 22, 2020).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
DHS continues to monitor and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. As
of the week of June 14, 2021, there have been over 172 million
confirmed cases globally, with over 3.7 million confirmed deaths.\3\
There have been over 33 million confirmed and probable cases within the
United States,\4\ over 1.3 million confirmed cases in Canada,\5\ and
over 2.4 million confirmed cases in Mexico.\6\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ WHO, Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Weekly
Epidemiological Update (June 8, 2021), available at https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/situation-reports (accessed June 14, 2021).
\4\ CDC, COVID Data Tracker: United States COVID-19 Cases,
Deaths, and Laboratory Testing (NAATs) by State, Territory, and
Jurisdiction (June 13, 2021), https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#cases_casesper100klast7days (accessed June 14, 2021).
\5\ WHO, COVID-19 Weekly Epidemiological Update (June 8, 2021).
\6\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
DHS also notes positive developments in recent weeks. CDC reports
that, as of June 14, over 310 million vaccine doses have been
administered in the United States and almost 55% of adults in the
United States are fully vaccinated.\7\ On June 7, 2021, CDC moved
Canada and Mexico from COVID-19 Level 4 (Very High) to Level 3 (High)
in recognition of conditions that, while still requiring significant
safeguards, are improving. \8\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\7\ See CDC, COVID Data Tracker: COVID-19 Vaccinations in the
United States (June 14, 2021), https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#vaccinations (accessed June 15, 2021).
\8\ See CDC, Travel Notice; COVID-19 in Canada (June 7, 2021),
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/covid-4/coronavirus-canada
(accessed June 10, 2021); CDC, Travel Notice: COVID-19 in Mexico
(June 7, 2021), https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/covid-4/coronavirus-mexico (accessed June 10, 2021). In addition, on June 8,
2021, the Department of State moved Canada and Mexico from Level 4
(Do Not Travel) to Level 3 (Reconsider Travel). See Department of
State, Canada Travel Advisory (June 8, 2021), https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/canada-travel-advisory.html (accessed June 10,
2021); Department of State, Mexico Travel Advisory (June 8, 2021),
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/mexico-travel-advisory.html (accessed June 10,
2021).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notice of Action
Given the outbreak and continued transmission and spread of COVID-
19 within the United States and globally, the Secretary has determined
that the risk of continued transmission and spread of the virus
associated with COVID-19 between the United States and Mexico poses an
ongoing ``specific threat to human life or national interests.''
U.S. and Mexican officials have mutually determined that non-
essential travel between the United States and Mexico currently poses
additional risk of transmission and spread of the virus associated with
COVID-19 and places the populace of both nations at increased risk of
contracting the virus associated with COVID-19. Moreover, given the
sustained human-to-human transmission of the virus, coupled with risks
posed by new variants, returning to previous levels of travel between
the two nations places the personnel staffing land ports of entry
between the United States and Mexico, as well as the individuals
traveling through these ports of entry, at increased risk of exposure
to the virus associated with
[[Page 32767]]
COVID-19. Accordingly, and consistent with the authority granted in 19
U.S.C. 1318(b)(1)(C) and (b)(2),\9\ I have determined that land ports
of entry along the U.S.-Mexico border will continue to suspend normal
operations and will only allow processing for entry into the United
States of those travelers engaged in ``essential travel,'' as defined
below. Given the definition of ``essential travel'' below, this
temporary alteration in land ports of entry operations should not
interrupt legitimate trade between the two nations or disrupt critical
supply chains that ensure food, fuel, medicine, and other critical
materials reach individuals on both sides of the border.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\9\ 19 U.S.C. 1318(b)(1)(C) provides that ``[n]otwithstanding
any other provision of law, the Secretary of the Treasury, when
necessary to respond to a national emergency declared under the
National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.) or to a specific
threat to human life or national interests,'' is authorized to
``[t]ake any . . . action that may be necessary to respond directly
to the national emergency or specific threat.'' On March 1, 2003,
certain functions of the Secretary of the Treasury were transferred
to the Secretary of Homeland Security. See 6 U.S.C. 202(2), 203(1).
Under 6 U.S.C. 212(a)(1), authorities ``related to Customs revenue
functions'' were reserved to the Secretary of the Treasury. To the
extent that any authority under section 1318(b)(1) was reserved to
the Secretary of the Treasury, it has been delegated to the
Secretary of Homeland Security. See Treas. Dep't Order No. 100-16
(May 15, 2003), 68 FR 28322 (May 23, 2003). Additionally, 19 U.S.C.
1318(b)(2) provides that ``[n]otwithstanding any other provision of
law, the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, when
necessary to respond to a specific threat to human life or national
interests, is authorized to close temporarily any Customs office or
port of entry or take any other lesser action that may be necessary
to respond to the specific threat.'' Congress has vested in the
Secretary of Homeland Security the ``functions of all officers,
employees, and organizational units of the Department,'' including
the Commissioner of CBP. 6 U.S.C. 112(a)(3).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
For purposes of the temporary alteration in certain designated
ports of entry operations authorized under 19 U.S.C. 1318(b)(1)(C) and
(b)(2), travel through the land ports of entry and ferry terminals
along the United States-Mexico border shall be limited to ``essential
travel,'' which includes, but is not limited to--
U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents returning to
the United States;
Individuals traveling for medical purposes (e.g., to
receive medical treatment in the United States);
Individuals traveling to attend educational institutions;
Individuals traveling to work in the United States (e.g.,
individuals working in the farming or agriculture industry who must
travel between the United States and Mexico in furtherance of such
work);
Individuals traveling for emergency response and public
health purposes (e.g., government officials or emergency responders
entering the United States to support federal, state, local, tribal, or
territorial government efforts to respond to COVID-19 or other
emergencies);
Individuals engaged in lawful cross-border trade (e.g.,
truck drivers supporting the movement of cargo between the United
States and Mexico);
Individuals engaged in official government travel or
diplomatic travel;
Members of the U.S. Armed Forces, and the spouses and
children of members of the U.S. Armed Forces, returning to the United
States; and
Individuals engaged in military-related travel or
operations.
The following travel does not fall within the definition of
``essential travel'' for purposes of this Notification--
Individuals traveling for tourism purposes (e.g.,
sightseeing, recreation, gambling, or attending cultural events).
At this time, this Notification does not apply to air, freight
rail, or sea travel between the United States and Mexico, but does
apply to passenger rail, passenger ferry travel, and pleasure boat
travel between the United States and Mexico. These restrictions are
temporary in nature and shall remain in effect until 11:59 p.m. EDT on
July 21, 2021. This Notification may be amended or rescinded prior to
that time, based on circumstances associated with the specific threat.
Meanwhile, as part of an integrated U.S. government effort and guided
by the objective analysis and recommendations of public health and
medical experts, DHS is working closely with counterparts in Mexico and
Canada to identify conditions under which restrictions may be eased
safely and sustainably.
The Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is
hereby directed to prepare and distribute appropriate guidance to CBP
personnel on the continued implementation of the temporary measures set
forth in this Notification. The CBP Commissioner may determine that
other forms of travel, such as travel in furtherance of economic
stability or social order, constitute ``essential travel'' under this
Notification. Further, the CBP Commissioner may, on an individualized
basis and for humanitarian reasons or for other purposes in the
national interest, permit the processing of travelers to the United
States not engaged in ``essential travel.''
Alejandro N. Mayorkas,
Secretary, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
[FR Doc. 2021-13235 Filed 6-21-21; 12:30 pm]
BILLING CODE 9112-FP-P