Letter to Secretary Napolitano and Commissioner Bersin

Letter

Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer called on U.S. border officials to work closely with Canadian authorities to create a shared port of entry at Massena. Schumer believes the shared port of entry would boost border security to help reduce smuggling while allowing the continued flow of commerce between businesses on both sides of the border. Schumer believes that the shared port of entry at Massena would be a good step forward and important part of President Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Harper efforts to work together to improve border management. In the letter, Schumer also asks border officials on both sides of the border to officially take closing the Seaway International Bridge port of entry off the table.

"Because it can increase both commerce and security, creating a shared port of entry at Massena makes perfect sense and I will press American officials to work with Canada to make it a reality," said Senator Schumer. "On the other hand, closing the Seaway bridge is a head in the sand reaction that doesn't make any sense at all and should be taken off the table. We must secure our borders in a way that is smart, tough, and effective, while not eliminating much needed cross-border commerce that is so critical to the region's economy and job base."

"The shared port of entry at Massena plays a big part in our local economy," said Village of Massena Mayor James Hidy. "It's important to draw industry to Massena, and we need that vein to do so. Also, our border security is of utmost importance, as it is something we all share. Increasing safety, especially for cross-border travel at night, is desperately needed, and by working with our Canadian neighbors we hope to accomplish this."

The Massena Crossing consists of two bridges. One that links Massena to Cornwall Island and another that goes from Cornwall Island to the City of Cornwall.

In his letter, Schumer wrote: "A joint port of entry would vastly improve our security while, at the same time, removing impediments to cross border travel that cost our businesses much needed revenue. It is also a win-win situation that pleases all of the concerned entities along the border."

In his letter, Schumer notes that the Seaway International Bridge port of entry handles over 120,000 commercial and 2,300,000 passenger trips each year, making it a vital transportation route for major industry and tourism in Northern New York. The strength of the Canadian economy and current exchange rates both help facilitate consumer and tourism spending in New York, but closing the bridge could put a serious damper on cross-border travel and commerce. Due to the critical role the bridge plays in the North Country economy, Schumer is asking border officials to give stability to local business owners by officially taking closing the bridge off the table, and instead push forward as quickly as possible to create a shared border port of entry at Massena.

A copy of Senator Schumer's letter appears below:

September 6, 2011

Secretary Janet Napolitano
Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Washington, DC 20528

Alan D. Bersin
Commissioner
United States Customs and Border Protection
1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20528

Dear Secretary Napolitano and Commissioner Bersin,

As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Immigration, Refugees and Border Security, I am responsible for directing the Senate's oversight of the Department of Homeland Security's efforts to secure our borders and ports of entry while, at the same time, promoting trade, travel, and traffic that is essential to America's economy.

It is in this regard that I write to express my concern about reported discussions that are occurring between DHS and our Canadian counterparts regarding border crossings in Northern New York. It is reported that, in an effort to stop cross-border smuggling of drugs, weapons, and other contraband, senior Canadian and U.S. homeland security officials are exploring two options: 1) a shared port of entry at Massena, New York, at the eastern entrance to Akwesasne/St. Regis; and/or 2) closure of the Seaway International Bridge port of entry.

As to the first option, developing a shared port of entry at Massena, New York, I write to express my enthusiastic support for the concept of joint operations along the border, including a shared port of entry at Massena. A joint port of entry would vastly improve our security while, at the same time, removing impediments to cross border travel that cost our businesses much needed revenue. It is also a win-win situation that pleases all of the concerned entities along the border.

As to the second option, although I have been informed from your staff that this is not the preferred option, I want to nonetheless voice my strong opposition to the closure of the Seaway International Bridge port of entry. The bridge handles over 120,000 commercial and 2,300,000 passenger transits annually, and is a vital transportation route for major industry in the region. With the strength of the Canadian economy and the current exchange rate--which facilitates Canadian consumer and tourism spending and investment in the United States--it is crucial that we do all that we can to ensure that lawful cross-border traffic can move through our ports of entry as quickly as possible so as to not create a chilling effect over vital cross-border tourism and commerce. Closing the Seaway International Bridge would have negative economic consequences for the affected communities, and could create additional traffic at other ports, which might lead to compromised security at those locations.

Your agency has been working hard to address the problem of cross-border smuggling, and I commend those efforts. But, we must secure our borders in a way that is smart, tough, and effective, while not eliminating much needed cross-border commerce. This is why I support the shared port of entry in Massena, NY. If there is any assistance you need from Congress in this regard, I stand ready to help with any legislation necessary to further this objective. I thank you for your attention to this important matter, and look forward to working with you to assist you in your mission of protecting America while promoting travel, trade, and commerce.

Sincerely,

Charles E. Schumer
Chairman
Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security and Refugees

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