CBP reduces hours of operation at 38 ports of entry to ‘increase border security’

MASSENA — Although Customs and Border Protection officials plan to adjust hours of operation at 38 ports of entry along the northern border, ports of entry in St. Lawrence County will not be not affected.

The news comes from CBP officials who aim to “increase border security while facilitating legitimate cross-border trade and travel,” according to a statement from the agency.

“CBP officers will be deployed to the busiest ports of entry, allowing the agency to use its resources most efficiently for its critical national security and border security missions,” CBP officials wrote. CBP.

This decision comes in collaboration with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), as 38 ports of entry will have their opening hours reduced, from 24 hours to midnight on January 6, 2025.

“These adjustments formalize current operating hours that have been in effect for more than four years at 13 ports of entry across the northern border, with eight ports of entry expanding operating hours. A small number of ports will have their hours of operation reduced in an ongoing alignment effort “Travelers using these affected crossings will have other options within a reasonable driving distance,” CBP officials wrote.

They wrote that the adjustments were made in close coordination with Canadian authorities to “ensure aligned operating hours that further enhance the security of both countries.”

“CBP continually monitors operations, traffic patterns and volume, and analyzes the best use of resources to better serve the traveling public. CBP will remain engaged with local and regional stakeholders, as well as communities to ensure consistent communication and address concerns. CBP officials wrote.

Although some ports of entry will see their schedules changed or reduced, the vast majority of the 118 northern border ports of entry will continue to operate under existing schedules, CBP said.

Many entry points in the Swanton area will be affected by the decision to adjust schedules.

Those affected in New York include:

• Châteauguay will reduce its opening hours from 24 hours to 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Overton Corners will reduce its hours from 24 hours to 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Rouses Point will reduce its opening hours from 24 hours to 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Trout River will reduce its hours of operation from 24 hours to 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Those affected in Vermont include:

• Alburg (common port) will reduce its opening hours to 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
• Canaan will reduce its hours to 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• North Troy will reduce its hours of operation to 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
• West Berkshire will reduce its hours from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Alburg Springs will permanently maintain current hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Derby Line (Route 5) will permanently maintain current schedules of 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

In New Hampshire, the following port will be affected:

• Pittsburg will permanently maintain current hours of 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The move to increase border security comes after months of lobbying from state and federal officials who say the northern border is “in crisis due to the current administration’s open border policies.”

During his visit to the North Country on October 7, Senator Dan Stec visited the St. Lawrence County Legislature to provide an update on his attempt to repeal the “green light law.”

The legislation, which was first passed in 2019, has come under scrutiny in recent months as illegal border crossings in the Swanton sector continue to rise.

The sector covers the state of Vermont; Clinton, Essex, Franklin, St. Lawrence and Herkimer counties of New York; and Coos, Grafton and Carroll counties of New Hampshire.

According to Stec, this year alone, 19,000 illegal migrants have been apprehended by the border patrol.

Compare that to the closest sector in terms of numbers and the Swanton sector paints a real picture, he said.

“The next closest is near Seattle. They’ve had about 1,100 in the same time period, so they know it’s easier to cross in the Swanton area,” Stec said.

That’s because flights to Canada are cheap and regulations allow them to enter the country with impunity, Stec said.

Stec praised St. Lawrence County Sheriff Rick Engle “for his leadership in his role at the border.”

He commented that it was Engle who brought up the “green light law” to him again.

“It’s an old problem, an old law. I saw it and it jogged my memory. In fact, there is a bill in the Legislature that has been under consideration for quite some time. time…we are in the process of passing a bill to repeal the Greenlight Act,” Stec said.

But this bill faces great difficulties and has not progressed during several legislative sessions.

The legislation would exempt seven border counties from being subject to the “green light law,” allowing police departments to share vital information about migrants who entered the country illegally, Stec said.

Stec explained that the green light law restricts information sharing between local and federal agencies. He said they couldn’t access driving records or criminal records, which could create a dangerous situation for police and Border Patrol agents.

Stec pointed to the Driver’s License Access and Privacy Act as a significant catalyst for ongoing communications problems for law enforcement agencies.

The Driver’s License Access and Privacy Act was signed into law on June 17, 2019, and took effect on December 16, 2019. It allows all New Yorkers ages 16 and older to apply for a driver’s license standard, not for federal and non-commercial purposes. license or learner’s permit, regardless of citizenship or legal status in the United States.

“This law has made it very easy for someone who is not here legally to get a driver’s license that is indistinguishable from yours or mine,” Stec said.

He said police officers conducting traffic stops won’t know the difference.

“There is no information on their immigration status. No information on their criminal record in this case,” Stec said.

Stec questioned whether such licenses would also allow illegal migrants to vote in elections.

“Voter registration and ballot integrity are of grave concern to us,” he said.

According to several online sources, including the Bipartisan Policy Center, the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Accountability Act of 1996 explicitly prohibits noncitizens from voting in federal elections.

“It is not legal in any state for a non-citizen to vote in a federal election,” the website states.

Additionally, no states currently allow noncitizens to vote in state elections, according to the Center.

Stec said he, along with Sen. Mark Walcyzk, Reps. Scott Gray and Ken Blankenbush, will continue to call on Gov. Hochul to suspend the state’s sanctuary status so the state can address the migrant crisis .

“If she doesn’t repeal it through executive action, we hope she at least discusses it,” Stec said.