Press Releases

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene this week called on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to allocate the appropriate resources to reduce wait times and increase border crossing capacity in Whatcom County. DelBene urged CBP to take action in a letter sent to DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson and CBP Commissioner Gil Kerlikowske. The First Congressional District includes all five of the border crossings in Whatcom County, and significant delays, disruptions or increases in wait times at the crossings directly affects and harms the local economy and lives of Whatcom residents.

“As we recently entered the summer travel season when the volume of international tourism between Canada and the U.S. historically spikes, I am concerned that long wait times have the potential not only to disrupt the lives of my constituents, but also have a negative impact on all travelers coming into the U.S. I am deeply concerned that long lines at the border are harming the important economic relationship between Washington state and Canada,” wrote DelBene.

In addition to the Whatcom communities south of the Canadian border, the First Congressional District also includes Point Roberts, a community that is part of the U.S. mainland but is physically disconnected from it. Travelling to Point Roberts requires a fourteen-mile boat trip or drive through Canada, crossing once into Canada from the U.S. mainland and then crossing again back into the U.S. at the Point Roberts Port of Entry (POE).

“As a result of this unique geographical situation, there are few other communities in the U.S. whose residents are such frequent border-crossers. Many commute back and forth to the U.S. mainland as part of their daily lives,” DelBene wrote. “For these constituents in particular, ensuring that our nation’s border operations effectively facilitate legitimate travel and trade while securing our border is critical to their quality of life.”

There have been recent reports from local travelers and residents from Whatcom County  about unacceptably long wait times at the Point Roberts POE.

Noting that Congress recently appropriated increased funding to DHS, including funding for an additional 2,000 CBP officers, DelBene asks CBP to answer questions concerning:

• What options are being considered to ensure sufficient service levels are maintained during the peak summer travel season at the Point Roberts POE, as well as the other Whatcom County border crossings?
• What staffing improvements can be expected for the Point Roberts POE given these additional CBP officers?
• Given the high volume of NEXUS traffic at the Point Roberts POE, will any expansion of NEXUS lane availability be considered?

To see the full letter, click HERE.