(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) issued the following statement on today’s announcement by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
“This is the wrong decision by the administration—there must at the very least be an exemption for Point Roberts as we work to safely reopen the US-Canada border. I appreciate the administration’s science-based approach to the COVID-19 pandemic and I firmly believe that the evidence supports a narrow and tailored exception to the administration’s Canadian border closure and a reopening of the Point Roberts port of entry to Canadian travel,” said Senator Murray. “I have yet to be presented with a compelling explanation outlining why a border exemption for Point Roberts has not yet been provided. I’ve spoken directly with Secretary Mayorkas about this, with top White House officials, and senior officials at the State Department as well—I will keep pressing the administration on this until we get this matter resolved.”
Earlier this month, Senator Murray led a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas calling on him to grant a border exemption for Point Roberts as the community faces unprecedented challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Senator Murray has heard from residents of Point Roberts and other border communities about the need to re-open the border with Canada, and has repeatedly pushed the U.S. State Department, Department of Homeland Security, and other federal officials to come to a resolution with the Canadian government on re-opening, and secure an exemption for Point Roberts as soon as possible. Earlier this year, Senator Murray introduced legislation that would provide forgivable loans to small businesses in exclaves of the contiguous United States near the Canadian border, and using American Rescue Plan funding that Senator Murray helped to secure, Governor Inslee was able to provide emergency financial assistance in June to avoid a food crisis in the community.
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