Florida‘s two U.S. senators--Democrat Bill Nelson and Republican Marco Rubio--teamed up with three Central Florida Democrats--U.S. Reps. Val Demings, Stephanie Murphy and Darren Soto--to call on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to keep officers in the Orlando area.
This week, the senators and representatives wrote CBP Commissioner Kevin McAleenan to stop Temporary Duty Assignments (TDY) requiring CBP officers leave Central Florida--including assignments at Orlando International Airport and Port Canaveral. They pointed to CBP officers’ work in helping crack down on illegal drugs in the region.
CBP officers have interdicted significant amounts of illegal drugs like cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl that are destined for communities throughout Florida and nationwide.
“Each day, the men and women at Customs and Border Protection (CBP) put their lives on the line to stop criminal enterprise and prevent entry to those seeking to do harm. For international destinations like Orlando, Florida, these efforts are essential to our security and thriving economy,” the members of the Florida delegation wrote. “Orlando International Airport (MCO) is the third fastest growing airport in the United States, and the busiest airport in Florida. International passenger volume has increased at an even faster pace, with an 89 percent increase from 2009 to 2016. However, CBP staffing has continued to remain flat at the airport’s two Federal Inspection Stations (FIS). Even with the maximum number of personnel in these facilities, the arrivals hall quickly overflows during peak times, forcing passengers to remain on aircrafts until previous arrivals have cleared Customs and Immigration. These personnel shortages are especially felt during the peak summer travel season.
“Similarly, Port Canaveral, located on Florida’s east coast, is a key gateway to the region and the second busiest cruise embarkation port in the world,” they continued “In 2017, Port Canaveral welcomed more than 4.5 million passengers, a 7 percent increase over the previous year. Still, CBP staffing has decreased through attrition, resulting in significant bottlenecks for Customs and Immigration inspections and increasing overtime for existing officers.
“As you know, CBP officers at our nation’s air, land, and seaports are on the frontline, protecting our nation from terrorists, international crime syndicates, and illegal drug smuggling,” they wrote. “At New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, CBP officers helped foil a 2007 plot targeting the airport, fuel tanks, and pipelines, which could have killed several thousand people and destroyed a significant portion of New York’s Queens borough. In 2010, CBP officers identified and detained attempted Times Square bomber, Faisal Shahzad, before he could leave the United States and escape justice. And, at Orlando International Airport and Port Canaveral, officers have intercepted and seized countless amounts of illegal drugs like cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl, which are easily concealed and bring their international smugglers significant financial gain.
“The threats at our nation’s ports of entry are real, and, if carried out, could have permanent devastating effects on our nation and cities like Orlando. Therefore, we encourage your agency to prioritize and fulfill the scientifically based CBP officer-working model for our nation’s ports of entry,” they concluded. “Earlier this year, after our urging, CBP Field Operations drew back and ultimately halted Temporary Duty Assignments (TDY) from the Orlando Port Area. We respectfully request that you continue to suspend TDY assignments for CBP officers serving the region and not issue any further assignments until the agency can address critical staffing shortages at Orlando International Airport and Port Canaveral. Thank you again for your commitment to our nation’s security and economy. We invite you to visit the Orlando International Airport and Port Canaveral to learn how important CBP officer staffing levels are to our continued growth and safety.”
Back in April, Nelson and Rubio wrote to U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-WV, the chairwoman of the U.S. Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, and U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., the top Democrat on that subcommittee, asking for 500 more CBP officers across the state. They also wrote U.S. Rep. John Carter, R-Texas, the chairman of the U.S. House Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, and U.S. Lucille Roybal-Allard, D-Calif., the ranking Democrat, on the matter. Other members of the Florida delegation who signed the letter include Republican U.S. Reps. Carlos Curbelo, Tom Rooney, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Dennis Ross and Democrats U.S. Reps. Charlie Crist, Demings, Ted Deutch, Lois Frankel, Alcee Hastings, Al Lawson, Stephanie Murphy, Debbie Wasserman-Schultz and Frederica Wilson.
At the start of the year, Demings wrote the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and urged it not to remove anymore CBP officers from Orlando International Airport.
"As a former law enforcement officer and the Commander of the Orlando Police Department’s Airport Division on September 11, 2001, I understand the critical role which Customs and Border Patrol Officers serve to protect our nation and support our growing economy,” Demings said. “Over the last several years, the Greater Orlando Airport Authority has partnered with CBP to make strategic investments in innovative technology and infrastructure improvements to welcome visitors from around the world. CBP must do its part and ensure that officer staffing levels meet the growing demand of a world-class gateway to the region, state, and nation.
“It is unwise to remove CBP officers from Orlando Airport, as the number of passengers has nearly doubled in just seven years,” she added. “Temporarily removing CBP officers from OIA places greater strain on the remaining CBP officers and will mean longer lines for travelers. Passengers and airport staff at this world-class airport deserve better outcomes, and I hope the Department of Homeland Security will move quickly to rectify this issue.”
Murphy and Soto also signed on to the letter Demings sent DHS in January.
“CBP officers at MCO perform vital work, keeping us safe and our economy moving,” Murphy noted. “There are already too few officers at MCO and transferring 10 officers to the Southwest border will aggravate our already challenging situation—threatening our safety and slowing economic growth. I have already expressed my concerns to CBP, and I am proud to join Congresswoman Demings in asking the agency to reconsider this misguided transfer.”
“I am proud to work with Congresswoman Demings and the rest of our Florida delegation to make sure we have sufficient Customs and Border Protection officers at our Orlando International Airport,” Soto said. “Central Florida is a top global destination with thousands of international travelers going through MCO every day. CBP officers play an indispensable role in ensuring passenger safety and in continuing to foster our robust tourism industry.”
In February, Demings joined with U.S. Rep. Filemon Vela, D-Texas, to bring out a bill to hire 500 more CBP officers.
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