U.S. Sens. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Gary Peters (D-MI) expressed their concerns regarding recent changes to the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) station in northeast lower Michigan.
The agent at the Alpena County CBP station is retiring and CBP does not plan to hire a new agent for the location that serves a large geographic area.
In a letter to Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Gil Kerlikowske, Stabenow and Peters warned of the negative economic consequences the region will face as a result of not having a border agent in place.
“As described in the attached letter from the Alpena Area Chamber of Commerce, not filling this position will result in Rogers City losing its Port of Entry status, and international travelers and air traffic bypassing the Alpena Airport,” the senators wrote.
There is growing concern that commercial and recreational vessels will face unnecessary delays as a direct result of not having an active agent to oversee the region.
The senators also fear local tourism will be negatively impacted as a result. In their Nov. 10 letter, the senators urge the agency to hire a full-time agent for the northeast lower Michigan CBP station in order to eliminate the need and costs of transporting agents back and forth from Sault Ste. Marie, as well as to continue supporting the region’s international commerce demand.