Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Staffing problems at the Northern border are adding to border backups between the U.S. and Canada.
The mandatory redeployment of Customs and Border Protection Officers
from the Northern border to the Southern border is the problem.
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Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) told WBEN on Tuesday that the ability to hire more border officers from Western New York is more difficult now, because they will likely be subject to a mandatory redeployment to the Southern border.
"They just don't have the personnel they need to adequately cover both the
Northern and Southern border. They need to hire more people and stop the mandatory deployment as it's undermining the ability to recruit," he said.
Customs and Border Protection transferred approximately 30 to 35 officers
from the Northern border to the Southern border in June. There will be another wave transferred sometime in August.
It often means three or four passenger lanes entering the U.S. are open, instead of the maximum 12 that could be available.
Congressman Brian Higgins says there's no reason for it.
"It's an intolerable situation. This is peak travel season between the U.S. and Canada. We already went through a very difficult 36 month period during COVID."
He said if someone is going from Buffalo to Ft. Erie, it will take probably 10 to 15 minutes to clear Customs.
"But if you're coming from Canada to Buffalo, sometimes it's 45 minutes, sometimes it's an hour and a half. My concern has always been that people will adjust their economic behavior to avoid a lengthy delay. That's not good for the United States. and Western New York. It affects both countries."
Approximately 21 million Canadians enter the U.S. each year. In 2019, Canadian visitors provided a substantial economic boost to the U.S., spending over $20 billion dollars.
"When there are delays, you lose people. Not only do you lose them in the short term, but you lose them in the long term because of the aggravation." Higgins added, "This is no way to manage a border."
Compounding the issue is a backlog of NEXUS applications for expedited border crossings. People who are eligible and have applied for it are waiting six months or longer for the pass.
As co-chair of the House Northern Border Caucus, Higgins said he is looking into the possibility of legislation to prohibit the practice of mandatory redeployment.
"The situation at the Northern border is very different than the Southern border. It's different, but just as important in terms of economics and quality of life. It's maddening." Higgins emphasizing, "it's maddening for the people who experience this on a daily basis."