Few issues bring Democrats and Republicans together during this election year, but the closure of the Lukeville Port of Entry appears to have done that.
Officials with Customs and Border Protection announced that a massive a continuous border surge has caused the temporary suspension of operations at the Lukeville Port of Entry, an Arizona border crossing.
The Lukeville Port is “temporarily suspended,” in order to “redirect personnel to assist the U.S. Border Patrol with taking migrants into custody.”
Only after Arizona State Legislators expressed concern did Governor Katie Hobbs and Senators Sinema and Kelly comment on the issue, calling it an “unacceptable outcome that further destabilizes our border.”
“Arizona border communities are in crisis and our men and women on the front lines do not have the resources they need to manage the overwhelming numbers of migrants crossing the border. With over 2,000 migrants coming across the Tucson sector daily, CBP has announced they will temporarily close the Lukeville, Arizona Port of Entry and redirect all officers – who would otherwise manage the everyday travel of workers and tourists that businesses rely on and trade that drives our economy forward – to instead help U.S. Border Patrol process migrants,” said the trio in a press release.
“This is an unacceptable outcome that further destabilizes our border, risks the safety of our communities, and damages our economy by disrupting trade and tourism,” continued the trio. “The Federal Government must act swiftly to maintain port of entry operations, get the border under control, keep Arizona communities safe, and ensure the humane treatment of migrants.”
U.S. Congressmen Juan Ciscomani, a Republican, and Greg Stanton, a Democrat, demanded the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) provide a timeline for reopening the Lukeville Port of Entry (POE) in a letter to DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Tuesday. The POE closed indefinitely Monday for all pedestrians and vehicles as DHS redirected U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) staff to assist in processing an unprecedented surge of migrant arrivals.
In their letter, the congressmen called for clarity on what metrics will be evaluated to determine when the POE will reopen, as well as what resources have been redirected to the Tucson sector to ensure a swift return to normal operations.
“Arizonans and Mexicans benefit from efficient cross-border commerce and tourism,” said Ciscomani and Stanton. “We’ve heard from constituents concerned about the impact of the port’s closure on their businesses and personal travel. We’re also deeply concerned the closure may increase wait times and force trade and tourism to reroute to already understaffed ports in the Tucson and Yuma sectors.”
Glendale Mayor Jerry Weiers, a Republican, called the closing “unforgivable.”
“At a time when so many of our small businesses, and entertainment hubs like Westgate normally benefit from tourists and the trade and commerce created by their visits, it is simply unforgivable that our government is neglecting border security, leaving merchants in a lurch. The Biden administration has allowed inflation to shoot through the roof, and now it is allowing illegal migration to do the same, causing great harm to many communities like mine and the hard-working people who call them home,” said Weiers in a press release.
Arizona State Representative Mariana Sandoval, a Democrat, issued a statement addressing the “permanent economic damage” created by the port’s closing.
“The federal government has significant resources and capabilities, and it should divert those resources from other regions — and from other states if necessary — to handle this temporary influx before it causes permanent economic damage to our Tribal, border communities and state,” said Sandoval in a press release. “This decision was not well thought out and does not take into account how important legal cross-border traffic is to the lives and livelihoods of all Arizonans.”
Arizona State Senator TJ Shope called on Governor Kate Hobbs to deploy the National Guard.
“This closure will detrimentally impact those vacationing in the popular beach town of Puerto Peñasco, stripping commuters of a safe and direct route back into Arizona,” said Shope in a press release. “I’m calling on Governor Hobbs to use her executive power for the safety of our citizens by deploying Arizona National Guard resources to the border to help alleviate the overwhelmed law enforcement currently battling this crisis with zero support from Joe Biden and his administration. As our state’s top government official, she cannot turn a blind eye to the security threat directly impacting our citizens. Forcing Arizonans to travel hours out of their way on routes vulnerable to cartel organizations, terrorists, and other criminals seeking to do harm is completely unacceptable. I’m demanding swift action from Hobbs to protect our citizens and our communities. Anything less showcases her complicity with Biden’s irresponsible and dangerous agenda. Additionally, I strongly encourage our Arizona congressional delegation to demand this decision is promptly reversed.”
Hobbs rejected the suggestion.