The Lukeville port of entry has been closed indefinitely since December 4.
staff report
SAFFORD – Graham County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Vance Bryce joined at least nine chamber leaders from southern Arizona in calling for the reopening of the Lukeville, Arizona, port of entry.
The port has been closed since Dec. 4, forcing Arizona residents wanting to visit the tourist town of Rocky Point (Puerto Penasco) to cross in Nogales, adding hours to the trip.
The port was closed after agents arrested approximately 17,500 migrants attempting to cross the border, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The Border Patrol recommended closing the port to allow officials to process those already apprehended, but did not provide a timeline for reopening.
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs recently announced the creation of a Border Patrol agency and urged President Joe Biden to use the National Guard to help reopen ports.
On Tuesday, Bryce announced that the Graham County Chamber of Commerce had signed a letter to nine other chambers and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas regarding the closure.
“The closure of the Port of Lukeville is a significant disruption to Arizona's economy and community well-being,” the Graham County Chamber of Commerce said in a statement. “Our letter to the Department of Homeland Security is critical to sustaining local businesses and ensuring the state’s economic stability, especially during peak times of cross-border trade and travel. We emphasize the urgent need to reopen our doors. We, along with the rest of our colleagues at the Southern Arizona Chamber of Commerce Alliance, are taking immediate action to alleviate the significant economic and social impacts this closure is causing. I am looking for.”
The full text of the letter is below:
Dear Secretary Mayorkas:
Representing parent business organizations across Arizona, the 10 chambers that make up the Southern Arizona Chamber of Commerce Association (CASA) will provide the Department of Homeland Security with a reopening schedule for the Lukeville, Arizona Port of Entry (POE). I requested that.
The decision to close the Port of Lukeville not only represents a significant inconvenience, but also a threat to Arizona's economic health during peak season for cross-border trade and travel. This is already causing serious concern in the local business community.
The closure of this busy Arizona port of entry will have far-reaching implications, affecting the broader state economy that relies heavily on local businesses and tourist spending, especially during one of the busiest months for cross-border travel. is expected to give.
This decision could lead to job losses, business closures, and devastating impacts on local communities, with economic losses potentially reaching billions of dollars. According to the University of Arizona's Arizona-Mexico Economic Index, the value of U.S. exports through Arizona border ports in December 2022 was $963 million, an increase of 5.8% from the previous year.
It also puts additional strain on the already overburdened ports of Nogales and San Luis, raising safety concerns for travelers traveling to and from Rocky Point. The federal government's actions are hindering the ability of hard-working Arizonans to access land just south of the border, which we find to be a very concerning issue.
We address this ongoing issue impacting businesses, families, and Arizonans while sharing further information regarding the reopening of the Lukeville POE at a time when cross-border travel and commerce is economically important. We respectfully request that action be taken to
Thank you for your prompt response to this important issue. We look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible.
With respect,
Vance Bryce, Executive Director
Graham County Chamber of Commerce
Randy Graff, President and CEO
Green Valley/Sahuarita Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center
Brad Anderson, President and CEO
Greater Vail Area Chamber of Commerce
Amanda Wiggins, President and CEO
Marana Chamber of Commerce
Olivia Einza Kramer, President and CEO
Nogales Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce
Kristen Sharp, President and CEO
Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce
Melanie Edwards-Burton, CEO
Sierra Vista Regional Chamber of Commerce
Rob Elias, President and CEO
Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Rebecca Wicker, Executive Director
Tucson LGBT Chamber of Commerce
Michael S. Guymon, President and CEO
tucson metro chamber
