WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) applauded today’s announcement by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that an additional 40 customs officers will be hired, trained and assigned to Virginia’s Dulles International Airport to process arriving international passengers and help alleviate some of the long lines that travelers frequently have experienced at Dulles.  On Feb. 20, 2014, Sen. Warner wrote a letter to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and CBP, asking for an explanation for the exceptionally long lines and wait times commonly experienced by passengers arriving at Dulles. 

In his letter, Sen. Warner noted that Congress recently provided CBP with additional resources to fund an additional 2,000 officers nationwide, and he strongly encouraged additional and more flexible CBP staffing at Dulles to minimize unacceptable delays. After recruitment and training, the additional 40 officers will begin working at Dulles sometime during 2015.  

“I am pleased that CBP today has recognized that the long lines endured at Dulles by Virginia business travelers and international tourists alike is simply unacceptable and must be addressed. An additional 40 customs officers is a good first step and should help reduce wait times and ensure a smoother, faster entry process,” Sen. Warner said. “However, there is still more to be done. I will continue to press CBP to coordinate more closely with the Airports Authority to synchronize work schedules with international flight arrival times.  With most of these new officers not scheduled to report for duty until next year, we also need to find ways to provide some relief during this year’s busy summer travel season.”  

"This additional staffing will increase the speed and efficiency of passengers' transition through the airport,” said Jack Potter, President and CEO for the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority.  “We thank Senator Warner and everyone involved with this effort to enhance service to the traveling public."