East Idaho Times

Washington, D.C.--U.S. Senators Mike Crapo, Jim Risch, and U.S. Congressman Russ Fulcher, all representing Idaho, have jointly called on U.S. Customs and Border Protections (CBP) to restore the Porthill Port of Entry hours in northern Idaho to their pre-pandemic levels. The current reduced hours have been causing delays in the flow of people and goods, leading to adverse effects on the local economies.

In a letter to the Department of Homeland Security, the Idaho leaders stated, "We write to again urge the Department of Homeland Security to return the Porthill Port of Entry hours to 7:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m, which existed prior to the pandemic and parallels the current operating hours at the Canadian port." They emphasized the importance of Porthill as a crucial border crossing for communities like Bonners Ferry, Idaho, and Creston, British Columbia, facilitating the movement of workers, tourists, and families across the border. Additionally, they highlighted its significance for members of the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho, whose ancestral lands are divided by the international border.

Despite their repeated advocacy for the restoration of the operating hours, the delegation noted that CBP has only made slight extensions to the hours so far. Furthermore, they pointed out that signage around the crossing still inaccurately reflects the closing hours, exacerbating the confusion and disruptions caused by the reduced operational schedule.

The Idaho lawmakers' efforts to push for the return of Porthill Port of Entry to its pre-pandemic hours underscore the critical role this border crossing plays in supporting cross-border activities and maintaining the economic vitality of the region.