Duval Times

Senators Rick Scott and Ted Cruz have introduced the Keeping International Land Ports of Entry Open Act in an effort to prevent the Biden administration from closing commercial ports of entry and diverting Customs and Border Protection (CBP) staff from facilitating lawful commerce to processing illegal aliens. The bill, supported by Senators Pete Ricketts, Mike Lee, and Marsha Blackburn, aims to hold the administration accountable for its actions and protect American businesses and consumers.

Senator Rick Scott emphasized the importance of securing the border and limiting the Biden administration's ability to make decisions that harm U.S. trade. He urged the Senate to pass the bill immediately, stating, "This good bill does just that."

Senator Ted Cruz highlighted the economic damage caused by the administration's policy of prioritizing illegal aliens over facilitating lawful commerce. He stressed the need to ensure that lawful commerce can continue to invest in the Texas economy. Cruz's bill prohibits the closure of ports of entry on the Southern border, except in limited circumstances such as physically assisting Border Patrol in detentions.

Several industry leaders expressed their support for the bill and highlighted the negative impact of diverting CBP staff from facilitating trade. John D. Esparza, President of the Texas Trucking Association, warned that repurposing federal employees designated to keep trade flowing for processing migrants would exacerbate congestion at the borders and disrupt supply chains. He commended Cruz for his sound solutions to address the immigration crisis while protecting economic growth.

Ed Gilroy, Chief Advocacy and Public Affairs Officer of the American Trucking Association, emphasized the critical role of efficient processing of freight at land ports of entry in maintaining the continuity of the supply chain and the economy. He stated that reducing staffing at checkpoints would only create new problems and expressed support for Cruz's effort to prioritize cross-border trade.

Ian Jefferies, CEO of the Association of American Railroads, stressed the need to protect the supply chain and keep goods flowing between the U.S. and Mexico. He praised Cruz's bill for ensuring safe and secure freight movements across the North American rail network.

The National Feed and Grain Association and the North American Export Grain Association also voiced their support for the bill, emphasizing the importance of the free flow of trade across the U.S.-Mexico border for food security. They highlighted the impact of CBP's previous closures on the flow of grain, oilseeds, and related products, and appreciated Cruz's efforts to keep the border open to commerce between the two nations.

The bill aims to prevent the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from diverting staff away from ports of entry, unless there are specific exceptions. These exceptions include deploying CBP agents to physically secure the border but do not allow staff diversions for administrative work related to processing illegal aliens.

The legislation includes an accountability mechanism that requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to notify Congress and the American people of the specific exception applied if staff relocation and port closures are sought.

In December, the Biden administration closed four border ports of entry, including two key railroad bridges in Texas. This decision resulted in the shutdown of approximately $250 million in commerce per day and had significant ripple effects across various sectors, particularly agriculture.

The Keeping International Land Ports of Entry Open Act seeks to prevent similar actions in the future and ensure that lawful commerce is not halted to welcome illegal aliens. By prioritizing the security of the border and the facilitation of trade, the bill aims to protect American businesses, consumers, and the economy as a whole.