WASHINGTON – Today, Arizona Senators Ruben Gallego and Mark Kelly urged President Donald Trump to expedite the completion and maintain full funding to modernize land ports of entry in Arizona to lower wait times and stem the flow of illegal drugs. In particular, the senators highlight the San Luis Port of Entry modernization project, the construction of a new commercial Port of Entry in Douglas, the renovation of the Raul H. Castro Port of Entry, and a feasibility study for the modernization of the Nogales-Dennis DeConcini Port of Entry.
While Congress has dedicated funding and the federal government has already awarded contracts for these projects, recent cuts to the General Services Administration (GSA) have led to the closure of its field office in Arizona and could delay or disrupt progress.
In their joint letter, Gallego and Kelly stress that improving POE infrastructure is crucial to prevent fentanyl and other dangerous drugs from entering the United States.
“Arizona’s ports have consistently seized the largest proportion of this fentanyl, accounting for nearly 50 percent of all CBP seizures. Yet outdated technology and inadequate port infrastructure restrict CBP’s ability to catch large quantities of fentanyl and other illicit drugs that go undetected, further fueling the opioid crisis,” the senators wrote. “Swift completion of Arizona’s port modernization projects is crucial for CBP to reach full screening capacity and halt the flow of fentanyl into our state once and for all.”
The Arizona senators also note that improved infrastructure will help CBP keep cartels from smuggling firearms and currency into Mexico.
“In Fiscal Year 2024, CBP seized over 1,300 firearms and other weapons and nearly $8 million in cash intended to be smuggled into Mexico through ports of entry along the Southwest border—a small fraction of the estimated 200,000 firearms trafficked undetected into Mexico each year. Arizona’s four land POE modernization projects will enable CBP to seize more illicitly smuggled firearms and cash, depriving violent drug cartels of power and financing,” the senators continue.
Gallego and Kelly emphasize these projects were designed in close collaboration with CBP and call on Trump to provide the needed GSA personnel to carry them out.
“We ask that you work to ensure these critical projects, which provide clear operational security benefits and enhance economic activity, are completed expeditiously and that GSA has the staff and resources needed to advance these projects without delay,” the senators conclude.
Read the full letter HERE.
4/10/25