Local Congressional Representatives Urge Administration to Provide Clarity After Canada Border Closure

(KNSI) — Two local congressional representatives and another from northern Minnesota have sent a letter to the Secretary of Homeland Security asking for an immediate report for a plan to put new border procedures into place once they are reopened.

Sixth District Congressman Tom Emmer, Seventh District Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach, and Eighth District Congressman Pete Stauber sent the letter to DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorcas saying that the closure deeply impacts northern border states, like Minnesota. The three say they are concerned U.S. Customs and Border Protection does not appear to have a plan in place or the resources necessary to execute a safe reopening “without causing tremendous delays at land ports of entry.” There are eight land border crossings between Canada and Minnesota.

Citing the lack of a plan, Emmer says it is a “major problem for members of the commercial trade sector” who need to know whether DHS will assign appropriate resources to “maintain adequate levels of security and efficiency so that all LPOEs can operate successfully.” The letter says the closure has been devastating for people who rely on open borders for trade, commerce, and tourism. Before the pandemic, cross-border trade in goods totaled nearly $720 billion in 2019. In 2018, there were 21.5 million overnight arrivals from Canada, roughly half of whom crossed a land border to get here and spent almost $1000 while in the U.S.

Fischbach, whose district covers the northwest angle down to Marshall, says the border closure ignores science, logic, and the “economic hardship of border communities across the country.” She adds that the federal government has opened up international air travel but extended the land border closure “without reason.” She is calling on President Joe Biden to respond to the needs of northern border communities and ensure LPOEs are adequately resourced so “regular commerce can return once again.”

Congressman Stauber, whose Eighth District covers the border area just east of Baudette, through the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, International Falls, and the Arrowhead Region, said he was “greatly disappointed” when the land travel restrictions were extended through October 21st at the earliest. He says border communities are unfairly suffering from the ban.

The letter was also signed by New York Representatives Chris Jacobs and Elise Stefanik and Congressman Kelly Armstrong of North Dakota.

Read the letter by clicking here.

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