WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, today met with officials from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport. During his visit, Peters participated in a demonstration of border security screening procedures with CBP Officers and K9 inspection teams. Following the demonstration, Peters received a tour of the airport’s security screening operations and a security briefing from members of CBP’s Detroit Field Office.
“Michigan’s economy depends on the secure and efficient movement of goods and travelers through our ports of entry – including the Detroit Metro Airport,” said Senator Peters. “I was pleased to see firsthand how our Customs and Border Protection officers and canines help facilitate trade and travel, and protect Michiganders from a range of threats including illicit drugs and contaminated goods. As Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, I’ll continue leading bipartisan efforts to address staffing shortages at our nation’s ports of entry to ensure we can secure our borders and keep Americans safe.”
As Ranking Member of the Senate’s main border security committee, Peters has long supported commonsense, bipartisan efforts to strengthen border security and protect national security. Last month, the U.S. Senate unanimously approved Peters’ bill to authorize the hiring of agricultural inspectors who protect the nation’s food supply and the livelihood of farmers from harmful pests and diseases, invasive species and illegal goods that arrive at our borders. Earlier this year, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee advanced Peters’ bill to address shortages at ports of entry in Michigan and across the country to help facilitate secure trade and travel. Last week, Peters’ committee also advanced bipartisan legislation to close staffing gaps at the United States Border Patrol to further safeguard America’s borders.
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