Speech #980051522

I have always been very supportive of appropriations for the Customs Service. I think when we talk about reducing domestic spending. we sometimes think only in terms of the high profile. relatively unpopular programs like foreign aid. food stamps. and do not realize what also gets cut is Customs. Immigration. Coast Guard. soil conservation programs. and a lot of other programs that are broadly popular with the American public. I. however. like to bring to the attention of the chairman one specific problem in which perhaps the Customs Service in the frustration of trying to cover a bed with a sheet that is too short because of appropriations cuts has taken some action precipitously that I think is unnecessary. inconveniencing. and even endangering some people in my district. In Point Roberts. a tiny little piece of American territory that hangs down from Canada. you can only reach it on land by going through Canada. there has been a Customs and Immigration Service provided there for many years. Recently. abruptly. without any consultation with the Immigration Service or any warning to the people of Point Roberts the Customs Service reduced its staff there by 85 percent. They eliminated six out of seven customs officials. This has not given Immigration any opportunity to take any action. it has not permitted the community any opportunity to respond. it has not given the post office any opportunity to work and that is important because being isolated much of the mail has to go through Customs in a way that it does not on the mainland. There has simply been no opportunity for response. In addition to which. Mr. Chairman. there appears to be a bit of classic turf battle here. I do not think the constituents in Point Roberts should have to be the things that fall through the cracks because of a little bit of turf battle going on between Customs and Immigration. I wanted to call this to your attention and to the committees attention. Mr. Chairman. in the hopes that they would be willing to help us in urging the Customs Service to at least delay implementation of this policy for 60 days and to work with the Immigration Service and to work with the people in Point Roberts to work out whatever legitimate concerns they have there in a way that will not inconvenience the people who live in this unique part of the United States.