WASHINGTON D.C.—U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Rep. Albio Sires (D-NJ), and Rep. Donald Payne, Jr. (D-NJ) yesterday expressed their concerns about the recent reassignment of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers from the New York metropolitan area to the southern border. The region has reportedly lost over 50 CBP officers as major airports and marine terminals, including the Newark Airport and Port Newark, prepare for the busy summer travel season.


In a letter to Kevin McAleenan, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Acting Secretary, the Senators and Representatives wrote:


“The New York/New Jersey metropolitan area faces daily threats that require substantial resources and staff. The most populous metropolitan region in the United States and one of the most important economic regions in the world faces an enormous volume of passengers and cargo that require a robust CBP presence to ensure the safety and security of the United States.”


“CBP staff reductions and reassignments represent…[a] strain on the Port of New York and New Jersey that is already at a competitive disadvantage compared to other ports.”


The lawmakers asked Acting Secretary McAleenan to explain how the redirected staff and resources will affect the region’s four major airports and the Port of New York and New Jersey during the busy summer travel season.


The full text of the letter is available here.


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