Tucson Standard

U.S. Congressman Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ-06) has released a statement expressing concern over the upcoming closure of the Lukeville Port of Entry. The closure, set to begin on Monday, is a response to the surge of migrants crossing the Tucson Border Sector. Ciscomani highlights the impact this closure will have on the communities on both sides of the border.

In his statement, Ciscomani emphasizes the importance of the Lukeville Port of Entry as a major hub for tourism and everyday travel. He states, "Every community along our border lives in sync with their counterparts across country lines. Tomorrow’s closure of the Lukeville Port of Entry...will hurt every part of life on both sides of the border." He points out that activities such as grocery shopping, attending school, and visiting a doctor will be disrupted during this closure.

Ciscomani also references his previous request to the Biden administration to deploy the Arizona National Guard in order to prevent such situations. He urges the administration to fulfill this request immediately, stating, "I am urging the administration to fulfill this request immediately before we see any more unintended consequences cripple our communities."

Last week, Congressman Ciscomani took further action by sending a letter to Department of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas. In the letter, he urged Mayorkas to request the deployment of the Arizona National Guard to support the efforts of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in the Tucson Border Sector. The full text of the letter is available for reference.

The closure of the Lukeville Port of Entry is a direct response to the surge in migrant traffic at the southern border. CBP is reallocating agents and officers to address this issue. However, the closure will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the daily lives of individuals on both sides of the border.

As the situation unfolds, Congressman Ciscomani continues to advocate for immediate action to address the challenges faced by border communities.

To find out more, go to this link: https://ciscomani.house.gov/media/press-releases/ciscomani-releases-statement-ahead-lukeville-port-entry-closure