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Top U.S. ports of entry
Eighty-six percent of international arrivals to the United States come through only 15 ports of entry, according to data from the Department of Transportation. This represents an increase of one percentage point over last year (measuring the first five months of 2008 to the first five months of 2009.
The top three ports of entry are hardly surprising: New York (specifically JFK), Miami and Los Angeles. How insane is it that the leading first impression of our country is in Queens?! These three spots were responsible for 40 percent of all arrivals so far this year. Their share of all international arrivals – trending with the top 15 – increased by roughly one percentage point year-over-year. Miami, Orlando and Philadelphia were the only members of this group to post increases.
Six of the top 15 ports of entry into the United States sustained double-digit decreases in arrivals. The stream through San Francisco is off 18 percent, moving it into the #6 position on the list (behind Honolulu). Detroit dropped 32 percent, pushing it to fifteenth, behind Boston and Philadelphia, and Agana, Guam fell 9 percent, putting it behind Chicago on the list.
Filed under: North America, United States
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
kath Aug 3rd 2009 9:31AM
I don't understand why your posts seem to always take some sort of potshot at New York. I'm a lifelong NYer, and frankly, it bothers me when you do this. If you're so unhappy here that you need to constantly disparage my home state/city, why are you here? Please go back and reread your past posts and you will see a pattern.
I'm thrilled that more people arrive in the US through NY than anywhere else and Queens is the perfect example of what America is about. Queens is a borough made up of hardworking, family oriented immigrants and/or their descendants pursuing the American dream. It's a wonderful first impression for newcomers.
Anyway, it's not like anyone arriving in NY actually even gets to see Queens. Upon leaving JFK by car, you get right onto highways that take you to into Manhattan or surrounding areas. There are trains and buses from the airport right into Manhattan and cab services that will take you anywhere you want. If Queens is so distasteful to you, it is easily avoided.
Rich S Sep 25th 2009 7:41PM
Whether I agree about NYC, and I only agree about Manhattan being a terrible place to live, please realize that the city of the port of entry is NOT the first place most arrivals see and not the first impression most get.
The vast majority are simply changing planes for somewhere else in the U.S,. or elsewhere, and the process is less friendly than other countries but not too bad.
Be more concerned about the SS's, oops I mean HS's, policies about simply being able to change planes to another country as a destination.
Think about the impression it gives people from other nations.
Homeland Security removed the transit lounges from all US airports shortly after 9/11 even though there had NEVER been a "terrorist" incident in any of them, and promised another easy solution within a short period of time.
Nothing yet, and the load on the US consulates in other countries is horrendous since EVERYONE has to apply for a transit visa (which assumes the person wants to live in Amerika.)
Every time I have a friend from outside North America try to visit me at my home in Mexico they have to try to get a transitl/tourist visa at a cost of $100 and it usually takes 2-3 tries IF they are lucky.
They then asked (arm twisted) the UK, Canada, Germany and others to do the same in the name of "security". Almost all air traffic in the western hemisphere is forced to go through a small # of countries which now require transit visas.
This increases the cost and inconvience for everyone, including the airlines.
There are 2, count them 2, flights from Tokyo to Tijuana at 2-3 times the cost of going through LAX, SFO, or SEA-TAC.
In Asia it is different and is still handled in a sane manner.
Passing through Tokyo on my way to and from the Philippines last year was just like it should be.
Get your carry ons, exit the plane, clear immigration and security all in one easy step and go to your departure lounge.
Hong Kong and Manila are the same from personal experience except for the double search when going to LAX.
As Benjamin Franklin wrote: They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.