Schumer Presses Homeland Security Nominee to Make Northern Border a Priority

SCHUMER PRESSES HOMELAND SECURITY NOMINEE TO MAKE NORTHERN BORDER A PRIORITY

In a personal meeting with Judge Michael Chertoff, Schumer Secures Assurance He Will Focus on Northern Border Security

US Senator Charles E. Schumer late Thursday met with the new Homeland Security Secretary nominee, Judge Michael Chertoff, and pressed him to address staffing shortages at the Northern Border. Chertoff was receptive to Schumer's request and told him he would make the Northern Border a priority should he confirmed by the Senate.

"I wanted to meet with Judge Chertoff to impress upon him how critical our needs are at the Northern Border," Schumer said. "Communities like Ogdensburg receive too little federal support and I was pleased when Judge Chertoff said that as Homeland Security Secretary, he would make the Northern Border a priority."

Schumer told Chertoff that the Northern Border gets scant attention compared to the border with Mexico, but presents a significant threat to our security from illicit drugs and terrorism. Schumer urged Chertoff to ensure that the number of Customs and Border Protection Officers on the Northern Border meet or exceed the USA PATRIOT Act's required 4,845 positions. As of May 2004, we were 1,428 officers short and were losing ground due to a hiring freeze.

During their meeting. Schumer also raised concerns about the decision by St. Lawrence Cruise Lines to drop Ogdensburg and other American ports from its itinerary because of too much interference from U.S. Customs and Border Security agents. Chertoff assured Schumer that he understood respecting the commercial interests of Northern Border communities was an important part of protecting and strengthening our border security.

Schumer has led the charge for protecting the Northern Border and making sure sufficient federal resources are allocated for U.S. Customs and Border Security agents. In 2004, Schumer fought to make sure Northern Border workers are equipped and trained to deal with possible biological attacks. In 2003, Schumer introduced legislation that would have reimbursed Northern Border States for funding spent on prosecuting immigration related matters.

http://schumer.senate.gov/SchumerWebsite/pressroom/press_releases/2005/PR40097.Chertoff12805.html