Before QM2 visit, immigration changes debated

AUGUSTA – Days before the Queen Mary 2’s first visit to Maine, Gov. John Baldacci expressed alarm over a possible change in immigration policy that he said would slow down tourism traffic from cruise ships when they call in the state’s ports.

While no policy change is in the works now, the state’s congressional delegation fired off a letter Wednesday to U.S. Customs and Border Protection to discourage any action that could affect the number of cruise ship visitors to Maine.

Baldacci wrote letters to the delegation saying he was concerned about a plan to stop clearing passengers for visits to U.S. ports while cruise ships are still en route to their destinations.

Under that procedure, passengers can go ashore soon after the ship’s arrival.

Baldacci said that if the immigration process was delayed until ships arrive at anchorage, it would reduce the time passengers could spend in ports, biting into the amount of money they can spend in port.

Baldacci’s letter said he was particularly concerned about a policy change as Bar Harbor prepares for the Queen Mary 2’s inaugural call in Maine next Monday.

“This is hardly the welcome reception we would prefer to offer such a majestic vessel, and her passengers and crew,” Baldacci said in his letter.

On Wednesday, a spokeswoman for Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said there’s been no change in customs policy. But any change that might be considered would be closely examined for its impact on Maine, said the spokeswoman, Jen Burita.

The delegation’s letter to Robert Bonner, Customs and Border Protection commissioner, says the agency soon will review how it clears cruise ship passengers, and that it’s considering suspending en route inspections of cruise ship passengers.

“Simply put, suspension of these services could have a highly detrimental effect on cruise ship operations in Maine,” the letter says.

A letter from Maine Port Authority Executive Director Brian Nutter also said U.S. Customs and Border Protection will be reviewing its on-board clearance program during the winter.

“The fact CBP will be looking at this program may have fueled a rumor that such inspections were being terminated,” says Nutter’s letter, a copy of which was sent to Baldacci’s office.

A Customs and Border Protection spokesman was checking the current policy and whether any changes are envisioned.

Baldacci’s letter said an immigration policy change that would stifle passenger traffic in ports would have a huge effect in Maine, where cruise ship traffic has doubled in the last five years to 187 calls in nine communities.

Cruise ship business also has extended Maine’s traditional tourism season into early November, as many of the vessels come to show passengers the fall foliage.

“Last year the state received over $31 million in benefits from cruise ship spending, which supported 571 jobs,” Baldacci said.

The delegation cited a study that said cruise ships brought more than 132,000 passengers to eight of Maine’s ports last year.