07.20.22

Hoeven Continues Pressing CBP to Resume Normal Operating Hours at Northern Ports of Entry

Senator Also Secures Commitment from Border Patrol Chief to Deploy a Mobile Surveillance Tower in Western North Dakota, Work with Local Sheriffs

WASHINGTON – In a call with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials this week, Senator John Hoeven: 

  • Again pressed Pete Flores, Executive Assistant Commissioner of CBP’s Office of Field Operations, to resume normal operating hours at the northern border’s ports of entry (POE).
    • Hoeven outlined the ongoing impacts of limited POE hours on local residents and businesses, agriculture producers and commercial haulers, and called on Flores to restore pre-pandemic hours of operation.
  • Secured a commitment from U.S. Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz to deploy a mobile surveillance tower in western North Dakota.
    • Ortiz committed to Hoeven to work with the sheriffs of Burke, Divide and Renville counties to determine where and how the tower can best be utilized. 

“Trade and travel between the U.S. and Canada is essential to the economies of northern border states, including North Dakota,” said Hoeven “The limited hours at northern ports of entry force travelers to go far out of their way in order to cross the border, not only costing significant time and money, but also worsening the supply chain constraints facing our nation. That’s why we continue to press CBP to resume pre-pandemic hours at North Dakota’s ports of entry, while also working to secure the resources that border professionals and local law enforcement need to be successful in their jobs. We appreciate Chief Ortiz’s commitment to both bring additional surveillance technology to western North Dakota and to coordinate with local sheriffs to ensure it is used effectively.” 

The call comes as part of Hoeven’s ongoing efforts to provide the personnel, technology and tools required for border professionals to successfully carry out their mission and to ensure northern POEs are open and accessible for lawful travel and trade. To this end, the senator held a similar discussion with Ortiz and Flores in May. Hoeven also led a bipartisan effort with Senator Jon Tester (D-Mont.) urging the leaders of the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Committee to provide CBP with the necessary resources to properly staff and secure the U.S.-Canada border.

 

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