Ciscomani Leads Bipartisan Efforts to Modernize the DeConcini Port of Entry

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Juan Ciscomani is leading a bipartisan effort to fully modernize the DeConcini Land Port of Entry in Nogales, Arizona, a critical gateway for trade and commerce between Arizona and Mexico.

In a letter to the Department of Homeland Security and General Services Administration, Ciscomani and two colleagues from Arizona, Congressman Greg Stanton and Abe Hamadeh, are urging swift action to modernize a port that is critical to the nation's economy and border security.

"This is not a Nogales project," the congressmen write, "this is a national asset in desperate need of investment."

The facility, which processed over 7 million personal vehicle passengers in 2025, was built in 1931 and last updated in 1994. Its outdated infrastructure and recurring flooding now pose major risks and inefficiencies for U.S. Customs and Border Protection and disrupt the efficient flow of goods critical to Arizona's business community.

In the letter, Ciscomani, Stanton, and Hamadeh called on federal officials to expedite the next phase of the project, including issuing a Notice to Proceed for the required environmental review. They stressed that modernization delays not only impact border personnel but also disrupt business operations that depend on timely trade and transportation.

Read the full letter here or below.

Dear Secretary Mullin and Administrator Forst,

We write to underscore the urgent need to advance the modernization of the Dennis DeConcini Land Port of Entry (LPOE) in Nogales, Arizona. As one of the busiest ports of entry along the U.S.-Mexico border, the DeConcini LPOE is critical to our nation's economic vitality and border security. We respectfully request your leadership in accelerating all remaining pre-construction activities and ensuring the project is fully prioritized within the upcoming General Services Administration (GSA) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Five-Year Capital Investment Plan. The DeConcini LPOE serves as a vital link between Arizona and Mexico, facilitating millions of lawful crossings each year. In 2025 alone, the port processed more than 7 million personal vehicle passengers and approximately 3.5 million pedestrians. Despite this volume, the facility's core infrastructure has not kept pace with current operational demands. Originally constructed in 1931 and last significantly updated in 1994, U.S. CBP has confirmed that the current facility no longer meets mission requirements.

Current site constraints-including limited space, outdated configuration, and proximity to the International Outfall Interceptor and the stormwater tunnels that flow directly under the facility -have created both operational inefficiencies and safety concerns. Flooding events and sanitary sewer overflows disrupt operations every monsoon season and exposes CBP personnel to hazardous conditions. In addition, with the facility located right at the international boundary, there is simply no space for the effective deployment of modern inspection and pre-clearance systems, including non-intrusive inspection (NII) technologies that are essential to CBP's mission.

Congress recognized the importance of this project by funding a feasibility study in 2022. That study, completed in close coordination with CBP and regional stakeholders, outlines a comprehensive modernization approach aligned with operational, security, and workforce needs. We understand the project is now awaiting the issuance of a Notice to Proceed for the required National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review. We strongly encourage you to expedite this step and all subsequent actions necessary to move the project forward without delay.

The urgency of this investment is further underscored by the role Nogales plays in national security. The region has been a major corridor for illicit drug trafficking, including fentanyl, with seizures in this area at times accounting for a significant share of total interdictions across the Southwest border and the nation. Ensuring CBP has access to modern infrastructure and advanced screening technologies at DeConcini is essential to counter evolving smuggling tactics and protect our communities. The battle against the flow of narcotics has shifted from those measured by the bundle and the ton to those that measured in the thousands of pills that are strapped around a smugglers' waist. The DeConcini LPOE is at the forefront of this fight, and we must ensure that enforcement personnel have the best facilities, tools and training to do their job to the best of their ability. Modernizing the DeConcini LPOE is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to strengthen border security, enhance lawful trade and travel, and improve working conditions for frontline personnel. However, these outcomes can only be achieved if the project is implemented at the scale identified in the feasibility study. Any reduction in scope would compromise both operational effectiveness and long-term return on investment.

We appreciate your continued commitment to strengthening our nation's border infrastructure and stand ready to support efforts to advance this critical project. This is not a Nogales project, this is a national asset in desperate need of investment. We respectfully urge you to prioritize the DeConcini LPOE modernization and ensure it proceeds on an accelerated timeline.

Thank you for your attention to this critical matter, I look forward to your response and to ensuring that our CBP Agents and Officers have all the tools they need to continue protecting the Homeland.

"The DeConcini Port of Entry is at the heart of U.S.-Mexico trade, moving everything from medical supplies to agricultural products that directly impact Arizona businesses and daily life," said Rep. Ciscomani. "Modernizing this port is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to upgrade infrastructure, enhance lawful trade, and create a more efficient environment for the business community and border personnel alike."

A local stakeholder echoed the urgency for modernization.

Jaime Chamberlain, president and owner of Chamberlain Distributing Inc., said, "As a business owner, our success depends on the efficient movement of goods and people across the border. The DeConcini Port of Entry is central to that reality, yet today it is outdated, heavily congested, and vulnerable to disruptions like seasonal flooding. A modern, state-of-the-art facility is not a luxury-it is a necessity. Nearly 10 million people cross through Nogales each year, and without significant investment, we risk falling behind at a time when global competitiveness demands the opposite. Our region-and our nation-cannot afford inefficiencies at one of its most important gateways. Just as importantly, modernization will provide our frontline officers with the facilities and technology they need to protect our communities while keeping legitimate travel and commerce moving."

Reps. Ciscomani, Stanton, and Hamadeh said the DeConcini Land Ports of Entry is a national asset that needs urgent investment. Improving this vital port will make trade safer and more efficient, strengthen border operations, and help the Arizona and U.S. economies. The letter thanks ongoing efforts to improve border infrastructure and asks for the project to be prioritized quickly so CBP agents and officers have the resources they need to keep the homeland safe.

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