Iowa delegation criticizes rail closures, says move could hurt farmers

DES MOINES — Two major rail crossings in Texas have been temporarily closed to address an influx of migrants crossing into the U.S., a move Iowa’s all-Republican congressional delegation sharply criticized this week in a letter to President Joe Biden’s administration, citing concerns about the potential impact on Iowa agriculture exports.

In a letter dated Wednesday, the Iowa delegation expressed “grave concerns” with the Biden administration’s closing of major rail crossings between Eagle Pass and El Paso, Texas.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection said the closures are meant to address “a recent resurgence of smuggling organizations moving migrants through Mexico via freight trains.” The closures will free up customs officers to assist overwhelmed U.S. Border Patrol agents who need to take migrants into custody, the Associated Press reported.

In their letter to Biden, the Iowa Republicans called the closures a “shortsighted decision” that punishes farmers and small businesses. In addition to scathing criticism of the Biden administration’s immigration policy and enforcement, the letter notes the impact the rail crossing closures could have on the movement of agricultural goods.

More than a third of U.S. trade with Mexico moves through the two closed crossings, and for every day the crossings are closed, 60 trains sit idle and 4,500 rail cars face delay, the letter notes.

Mexico is the second-largest purchaser of Iowa goods, according to state and federal trade data.

“Iowa proudly leads the country in agriculture, with our farmers working day in, day out to feed and fuel the world,” the Iowa delegation’s letter reads. “The importance of rail for transporting Iowa’s grain and agricultural products across the country cannot be overstated.”

The letter is signed by U.S. Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst, and U.S. Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Ashley Hinson, Zach Nunn and Randy Feenstra.

Agricultural groups and railroad industry leaders also have criticized the closures.

Why it was done

In a response to The Gazette, the White House said the temporary action was needed to address a large number of migrants coming into the U.S. by rail.

“DHS took this temporary action in order to stop a large movement of migrants coming by rail and to protect the health and safety of its personnel,” a White House spokesman said in an email to The Gazette. “We are working closely with the Mexican government in attempt to resolve this issue and also surging personnel to the region. We are communicating regularly with industry leaders to ensure we are assessing and mitigating the impacts of these temporary closures.”

Union Pacific estimated its losses — in goods, wages and transportation costs — will exceed $200 million a day if the crossings in both cities remain closed, the Associated Press reported.

The rail cars carry many products, including agricultural products like grain, cars, food and beverage, and industrial commodities, the Associated Press reported.

Migrants often board trains from Mexico into the U.S., but railroad companies also have technologies and systems in place to deter and discover people and contraband entering the country illegally, the Associated Press reported.

Union Pacific told the AP it found only five migrants trying to enter the U.S. illegally in the past five weeks.

Comments: (515) 355-1300, erin.murphy@thegazette.com