BISMARCK – The U.S. Customs and Border Protection has announced the expansion of operational hours at four border ports of entry in North Dakota. Starting Jan. 6, CBP will add two hours to operations at the ports, creating new hours at Fortuna and Noonan from 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Neche from 8 a.m.-6 p.m.and Walhalla from 8 a.m.-8 p.m., in coordination with the Canada Border Services Agency.

Together CBP and CBSA are adjusting hours at 38 ports of entry along the U.S. northern border. The adjustments formalize operating hours that have been in effect for more than four years at 13 of the ports across the northern border.

“This is good news for our border communities, ag producers, tourism industry and travelers, but more needs to be done. The continued restricted hours at ports of entry across the northern border are a real challenge for our economy and the many industries that rely on trade with our close friend and ally, Canada,” U.S. Sen. John Hoeven, R-ND, said in a news release. “With the new administration coming in, we will continue working to ensure the law is enforced, restore order along our nation’s borders and bring North Dakota’s ports of entry back to their normal operating hours,” he said.

“As a northern border state, North Dakota’s 18 ports of entry play a vital role in facilitating cross-border travel and trade,” U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer, R-ND, said in a news release. “While these adjustments in ports of entry operating hours are much needed, we need to restore hours of operation at our border to pre-pandemic levels. The COVID-19 pandemic is over, and it’s time the operating hours at our ports of entry reflect it.”

Hoeven is cosponsoring legislation introduced by Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, and Congressman Kelly Armstrong, R-ND, to require CBP hours of operations at northern border ports of entry to match or exceed pre-pandemic hours.

Hoeven said failed border policies have caused resources and personnel to be pulled away from the northern border. Hoeven has been working as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee to provide more infrastructure, personnel and technology to support Border Patrol agents in North Dakota.

New permanent hours established by the adjustment in January are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at Carbury, Maida and Northgate; 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at St. John and Westhope; and 9 a.m.-7 p.m. at Sherwood.

Most other North Dakota ports with Canada are open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. or 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Dunseith, Portal and Pembina are 24-hour ports.