United States Customs and Border Protection Sunday will reduce hours of operation at the Lancaster and Roseau ports of entry.
The move, announced in December, has disappointed Gov. Mark Dayton.
“I am extremely disappointed by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s decision to reduce its hours of operation at its Roseau and Lancaster ports of entry,” Dayton said in a statement. “Its decision ignores the appeals made by myself and numerous other stakeholders, who detailed the negative effects of these curtailments on citizens, businesses, and the region’s overall vitality.”
Current hours at the Port of Lancaster are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. The new hours of operation will be 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the winter months and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the summer.
The summer month schedule will commence based on the Canadian holiday, Victoria Day beginning in May and will conclude after Labor Day in September. Travelers wishing to cross into the U.S. when the port is closed may cross at the Pembina, N.D., open 24 hours and located approximately 30 miles west of Lancaster.
The current hours of operation at the Port of Roseau are 8 a.m. to midnight. The new hours of operation will be 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. year round. Travelers wishing to cross into the U.S. after hours may cross at the Warroad port, which is open 24 hours and located approximately 21 miles east of Roseau.
“During recent town halls, local community and business owners expressed concern about the reduction of hours,” said Michele James, director of Field Operations in Seattle, in December prior to Dayton’s remarks.
“CBP listened to the concerns of the community in determining the final hours of operation. These new hours are based on current and historical vehicle crossing data and limited CBP resources. This slight reduction of hours will allow staff to be reallocated to nearby ports of entry that have a need for additional staffing during busy times with higher traffic volumes,” she said.
Dayton issued the statements on the decision after he and residents, businesses, and local stakeholders had appealed to the federal government to reverse its decision.
“CPB’s excuse of ‘limited CPB resources’ is ridiculous, coming from one of the world’s largest law enforcement organizations with over 60,000 employees and a $13 billion annual budget,” he further stated. “The action is a deplorable example of placing the convenience of a public service provider ahead of the needs of the people it is supposed to serve.”
