In a bipartisan effort to streamline operations at U.S. airports near the border, Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) today introduced the Border Airport Fairness Act of 2025.
The legislation would designate user fee airports within 30 miles of a U.S. land border as official ports of entry, eliminating duplicative fees that currently burden both the airports and travelers.
“Congress needs to take advantage of every opportunity to improve efficiency in logistics and travel in the United States,” said Senator Cruz. “By giving our border airports the designation they deserve, we will put them on the same footing as all the other similarly situated primary commercial service airports. This will boost commerce in the Rio Grande Valley and upstate New York and reduce repetitive costs that affect both airports and travelers.”
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Senator Cornyn added, “Right now, airports in Harlingen, Texas, and Plattsburgh, New York, have to pay to hire U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents despite their close proximity to the border, resulting in higher costs for both the airports and travelers. This legislation would designate these airports as official ports of entry, requiring CBP to provide agents.”
Senator Gillibrand echoed the call for reform, stating, “This is a commonsense, bipartisan bill that will designate Plattsburgh International Airport as a port of entry. This change will save the airport hundreds of thousands of dollars each year – money that the airport will then be able to spend on infrastructure upgrades and passenger experience improvements. I’m proud to be introducing this bill and look forward to getting it passed.”
Currently, airports such as Valley International Airport in Harlingen, Texas, and Plattsburgh International Airport in New York are not designated as ports of entry, even though they meet the criteria. As a result, these airports must incur additional fees to secure Customs and Border Protection services.
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The new legislation seeks to end this inefficiency by aligning the status of these border-adjacent airports with their counterparts across the country.
The bill would require the President, acting pursuant to the Act of August 1, 1914, to designate each eligible airport as a port of entry. This designation would ensure that agencies such as CBP provide the necessary staffing without imposing redundant user fees on the airports.
Legislators note that the reform is expected to reduce costs for both airports and travelers, boost commerce in regions like the Rio Grande Valley and upstate New York, and streamline border operations.
A companion measure is expected to be introduced in the House of Representatives, further bolstering the bipartisan effort.
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As the debate over border security and infrastructure funding continues, the Border Airport Fairness Act of 2025 represents a targeted effort to remove unnecessary financial burdens and improve the efficiency of U.S. transportation logistics at critical border locations.
Further details on the implementation and impact of the legislation are expected as the bill moves through the legislative process.
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