CBP returning Raymond Port of Entry to 24-hour schedule

Editor’s note: This adds comment from U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., that was not available by printing deadline.

In a flashback to 2016, U.S. Customs and Border Protection has reversed its decision to cut the Port of Raymond between Montana and Saskatchewan from its reduced schedule and returned it to 24-hour-a-day operations.

A press release from Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., and Rep. Greg Gianforte, R-Mont., said during a telephone call Tuesday, John Sanders, the acting commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, announced his decision to reinstate full hours of operation at the Raymond Port of Entry. He also also committed to holding listening sessions to reengage with local communities on the issue, the release said.

“Keeping the Raymond Port of Entry open at 24-hour status is a big win for rural Montana and jobs across our state,” Daines said. “I appreciate Acting Commissioner Sanders’ understanding that our rural economy strongly depends on trade with Canada, and the ports of Raymond, Morgan, Opheim and Scobey are essential for our farmers and ranchers. I will continue fighting to keep Montana’s ports of entry operating at full hours.”

“Montana’s ports of entry are critical for farmers, ranchers, and business owners in eastern Montana,” Gianforte said. “I made it clear to CBP from day one that they should reverse its decision and actually listen to Montanans. CBP’s decision today is a step in the right direction, and I look forward to CBP listening to Montanans about the importance of leaving these ports open.”

A release from the office of Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., said the decision came after he had a face-to-face meeting with the Department of Homeland Security Acting Secretary Kevin McAleenan last week.

Tester specifically pressed McAleenan to abandon the Trump Administration’s proposal to reduce service hours at four of Montana’s ports of entry—including the Port of Raymond — and show greater transparency when making decisions that impact Montana’s number one industry, the release said. 

“The proposal to reduce port hours along Montana’s northern border harms our agriculture economy, and it’s a positive development that U.S. Customs and Border Protection is reversing course on the Port of Raymond for now,” Tester said.  “But this Administration has got to show greater transparency on decisions of this magnitude.  Next time they take aim at Montana’s economy, they better show up and listen to folks on the ground first.”

CBP said in a release it is reassessing feedback received on the adjustment of hours at the Port of Raymond, Montana. While that review continues, CBP will be restoring the port to a 24 hour schedule effective next Tuesday.

“CBP will continue to monitor and analyze traffic and workload at the Raymond Port of Entry and encourages community members to provide feedback at the following email address: [email protected],” the release said.

CBP announced earlier this year it was planning to cut hours at Raymond, north of Plentywood and Culbertson, and at the ports of Opheim, Scobey and Morgan north of Malta.

It reduced the hours at Raymond effective April 14, but said it was still considering feedback on its plans to reduce hours at the other ports.

CBP announced in 2015 it was reducing the hours at Raymond, but after a year of opposition, including from Sens. Daines and Jon Tester, D-Mont., announced in December 2016 it would remain a 24-hour port.

An international committee comprising members from Alberta and Montana have been pushing for more than a decade to upgrade the hours at the Port of Wildhorse north of Havre, which is now a part-time port with permit-only commercial traffic.