BACKED UP

Politicians Prepare to Act as Short Staffing at U.S. Border Crossings Causes Long Lineups

It's a good news, bad news story.

Travel between Canada and the U.S. is approaching pre-pandemic levels. But at the same time, there are more reports of U.S. border agent shortages -  meaning those increased numbers of travellers are experiencing longer and longer wait times to cross the border. That has stakeholders worrying the delays will reverse the tide of cross-border travellers.

As Open Jaw reported 12JUL, members of U.S. Congress have been expressing alarm about a shortage of American border agents at the Canada-U.S. border.

At that time, Democratic New York Rep. Brian Higgins said that Customs and Border Protection (CPB) personnel are being reassigned to the U.S.-Mexico border, as members of Congress from that region call on CPB to account for staffing levels on America's southern frontier amid concerns about rising numbers of illegal border crossing there.

That's leaving fewer CPB agents for the Canadian border, despite the fact that traffic on the U.S. northern border has recovered to about 85 per cent of pre-pandemic levels. And that's causing longer delays and unstaffed kiosks at busy points of entry.

U.S. border cities are taking up the call for a return to full staffing at Canadian border crossings.

Buffalo, NY, is the location of the Peace Bridge, one of the busiest land border crossings between the two countries. As Buffalo News reports, this summer has seen the return of long lineups of cars waiting to cross into the U.S.

While it shows how much travel has recovered, hours-long delays are nothing to celebrate, say Buffalo officials.

“The binational economy was really looking forward to a normal year,” Peace Bridge General Manager, Ron Rienas said. “American businesses were relying on Canadians coming over – and the fear is that once they have a bad border experience, they will be way more reluctant to come over again.”

The president of the union that represents CPB agents in the Buffalo, NY, area appears to confirm reports that agents are being re-allocated away from the Canadian border.

“We just don’t have the staffing anymore,” Paul Kwiatkowski told Buffalo News.

It reports that "most recently, the agency asked 40 officers from Western and Northern New York to head south for a while," as CPB "has been temporarily transferring officers from the northern border to the southern border for years."

However, an unnamed spokesperson for CPB told the publication that "only 2% of all Northern Border CBP officers have deployed temporarily to support the migrant surge along the Southwest border," and insisted that CPB analyzes border crossing data to implement "necessary measures to limit traffic delays."

That's not good enough for Rep. Brian Higgins, who is also co-chair of the House Northern Border Caucus. According to Buffalo News, Higgins and his Republican counterpart "are prepared to introduce legislation that would bar future transfers" to ensure both Canadian and American cross-border traffic can continue to grow back to pre-pandemic levels.

"Things have to change," he said, adding the current situation is "not good" for either country's economy.

Lynn Elmhirst

Contributor

With a background in broadcast news and travel lifestyles TV production, Lynn is just as comfortable behind or in front of the camera as she is slinging words into compelling stories at her laptop. Having been called a multi-media ‘content charmer’, Lynn’s other claim to fame is the ability to work 24/7, forgoing sleep until the job is done. Documented proof exists in a picture of Lynn at the closing celebrations of an intense week, standing, champagne in hand - sound asleep. That’s our kind of gal.

You may also like
MSC Opens Sales for MSC World Asia
MSC Cruises’ newest World-Class ship, MSC World Asia, is now open for booking. From December 2026, guests will have the opportunity ...
Playa and Marriott Open Paraiso de la Bonita in Riviera Maya
The newly renovated Paraiso de la Bonita by Playa Hotels and Marriott has opened, marking their third Marriott all-inclusive property.
Reagan National Airport (DCA)
Washington Crash: Warnings Ignored for 'Busiest Runway in U.S.'
Calling DCA ‘dangerously understaffed’, the restricted airspace funnels traffic into narrow corridors. NAV Canada reassures Open Jaw re Canadian skies
Ka'anapali Beach, Maui, Hawaii. Pexels photo
Maui Update: A Long Way to Go, But Positive Signs for Lahaina
It will take years to recover from the August, 2023 fires in Lahaina, but there are signs of recovery, and Maui ...
Gen Z is 'Next Great Wave of Travellers'
Gen Z is emerging as a dominant force in travel, highly reliant on social media to plan trips.

Talk Back! Post a comment: