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Gov. Rick Scott: MIA Needs More Customs Agents

MIAMI (CBS4) - Governor Rick Scott appealed to Homeland Security Secretary Janet Nepolitano Thursday saying South Florida's busiest airport is severely lacking in Customs and Border Protection agents.

In a letter, Governor Scott invited Nepolitano to tour Miami International Airport and see for herself.

The Republican governor wrote that President Barack Obama's executive order designed to increase U.S. travel and tourism should be a boon for Miami. But he added that insufficient staffing is resulting in bottlenecks and causing foreign visitors to be separated from their luggage, forcing many to rebook on later flights.

Scott wrote that could damage Florida's image and international business competitiveness. He noted Miami has more international flights than any other U.S. airport and that more than 1,000 passengers go through customs there every day.

(TM and © Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

 

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