06.07.23

Hoeven, Risch & Bipartisan Group to CBP: Return Northern Ports of Entry to Pre-Pandemic Hours

Senator Continues Working to Restore Normal Operating Hours at Border

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven and Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) this week led a bipartisan, bicameral group of lawmakers in calling on U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to restore normal operating hours at northern ports of entry or, at minimum, match the operating hours with their adjacent Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) ports.

Hoeven and Risch were joined on the letter by Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) and U.S. Congressmen Russ Fulcher (R-Idaho), Kelly Armstrong (R-N.D.), Ryan Zinke (R-Mont.), and Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.).

“These ports of entry serve a vital role in connecting our states’ economies with Canada, and our constituents heavily rely on them for commerce, tourism, religious activities, trade, travel, health care, tribal connections, and more,” wrote the elected officials. “The mismatched and uncoordinated hours are causing confusion and frustration across the northern border.”

“We believe when the border hours are extended to at a minimum, match adjacent CBSA ports, vehicular and pedestrian traffic will increase to match, if not exceed, pre-pandemic levels. At the same time, we stand ready to support your efforts to provide additional resources to CBP officers who currently are working hard to secure the northern border, to improve CBP recruitment, retention, and staffing levels, and to boost security along the northern and southern border to prevent illegal immigration,” continued the leaders.

The full letter is available here.

Hoeven continues working to get the Biden administration to reopen and restore normal operating hours at the U.S. border with Canada. In March, CBP agreed to temporarily expand operating hours at the Maida, Northgate and Sherwood points of entry, opening the ports from 9am to 7pm. The senator has made the case to administration officials to resume normal operating hours at the northern border’s ports of entry, including:

  • • In multiple calls with Pete Flores, Executive Assistant Commissioner of CBP’s Office of Field Operations.
  • • In a letter with Senator Jon Tester (D-Mont.) to the leaders of the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Committee.
  • • Along with the North Dakota delegation, in a letter to then-CBP Commissioner Chris Magnus.
  • • Urging President Joe Biden to reopen the U.S. border with Canada for trade and non-essential travel.

 

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