WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Joint Economic Committee, released a report highlighting additional staff at ports of entry reduces wait times and benefits the economy. The volume of commerce crossing our borders has more than tripled in the last 25 years, significantly contributing to longer wait times at our borders.
The report, “Economic Impact of Understaffing U.S. Ports of Entry” reviews the costs of border delays and the value of additional ports of entry personnel. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection estimates an additional 1,000 ports of entry officers would increase economic activity by $2 billion and add 33,148 new U.S. jobs per year. However, the Department of Homeland Security fell 961 officers short of its ports of entry hiring targets last year. The staffing cost for these additional officers is approximately $126 million—a fraction of the price of President Trump’s proposed wall along the southern U.S. border, which could cost more than $66.9 billion.
“New Mexico ports of entry are processing the second fastest-growing goods volume in the country,” said Ranking Member Heinrich. “Instead of throwing taxpayers’ money at President Trump’s border wall, we should make smart investments with the goal of improving our economy and facilitating new lawful trade through our ports of entry. I will keep fighting for common-sense policies that keep our nation safe and secure, and ensure our border communities in New Mexico prosper from their unique bi-national culture and economy.”
The full report can be found here.