U.S. Senators John Cornyn and Gary Peters have introduced the Securing America’s Ports of Entry Act. This legislation aims to enhance border security and address staffing shortages at ports of entry across the United States. The bill mandates that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) hire a minimum of 1,000 additional officers each year until the agency’s staffing requirements are fulfilled.
Senator Cornyn highlighted the importance of sufficient staffing at ports of entry: “When ports of entry aren’t sufficiently staffed, we run the risk of legitimate trade and travel grinding to a halt,” he said. He emphasized Texas’s unique position, noting that it has more ports of entry than any other state, which underscores the need for adequate personnel.
The legislation also includes provisions for hiring mission support staff and technicians to handle non-law enforcement duties within CBP. This would allow CBP officers to concentrate on law enforcement tasks such as drug trafficking prevention while supporting legal international commerce.
According to CBP data, 86% of fentanyl seizures in fiscal year 2024 occurred at ports of entry. The proposed bill also calls for reporting on infrastructure enhancements at these locations to improve drug interdiction efforts. It seeks information on detection equipment that could aid officers in identifying drugs and safety gear to protect them from accidental exposure to harmful substances.
Additionally, addressing the shortage of CBP officers is expected to decrease waiting times for travelers and essential cargo passing through U.S. ports.
