FOLLOWING MONTHS OF ADVOCACY, SCHUMER GETS CBP TO REVERSE COURSE & SECURES COMMITMENT TO ADD COMMUNITY-SUPPORTED CLOVERLEAF PROPERTY TO CONSIDERATION FOR NEW BORDER PATROL STATION

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer today announced, after months of advocacy, he has successfully gotten U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to reverse course and add the community-supported Cloverleaf property to the pending environmental review for consideration for the new U.S. Border Patrol facility.

“Following our repeated efforts to make them reconsider their too-narrow focus on potential sites, CBP has wisely heeded the community’s calls to add the Cloverleaf property as a potential site for a new Border Patrol Facility. By getting the CBP to do a full public meeting in the North Country, I made sure the Thousand Island and St. Lawrence River community had voices heard loud and clear throughout this process. And when it seemed CBP was unwisely not properly considering the Cloverleaf property, which local leaders believe is best to ensure the North Country’s environment and tourism economy as well as CBP’s mission; I was proud to lead the charge to get them to reverse course,” said Senator Schumer. “Its inherent logistical advantages and the consequent strong support of local and state elected officials sets the Cloverleaf property apart from other proposed locations, and I look forward to it receiving full and fair consideration in the review process. CBP has a critical mission, which I support, and which the community supports, but siting this facility must be done in full partnership with the impacted community. I’m grateful CBP and Acting Commissioner Miller has agreed to survey this location and will continue to advocate so we can find a mutually agreeable solution that benefits all parties.”

This follows months of sustained work by Schumer, including getting CBP to hold a public in-person meeting for the community to make their voices heard on the project, and then writing last month to demand CBP listen to community concerns and add the community-supported Cloverleaf property owned by the Thousand Island Bridge Authority (TIBA) to the list of potential sites being considered under CBP’s ongoing Supplemental Environmental Assessment (SEA). Now in response to Schumer’s advocacy, CBP has committed to adding Cloverleaf to the SEA in a response to his letter.

Schumer has a long history of advocating for Blind Bay. In March 2022, citing environmental concerns and local opposition, Schumer wrote a letter to Acting Environmental Branch Chief John Petrilla and called on U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to immediately reverse course on its plans for construction of a new station in the Blind Bay area at Fishers Landing. Ever since, Schumer has continuously remained committed to standing with the local community opposed to the proposed station on Blind Bay.

Schumer’s original letter to Acting Commissioner Miller can be found here.

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