The Office of Congressional Affairs (OCA) is committed to assisting Congressional staff with constituent casework. By following the guidance below, you can help us expedite Congressional correspondence and get your constituents the answers they need, faster.
Where do I send my inquiry?
Email: OCAInquiry@cbp.dhs.gov (This is preferred and will get you the fastest response.)
Mail: U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Congressional Affairs, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Suite 5.4A, Washington, DC 20229
FAX: (202) 344-2152
To whom should I address an inquiry?
Stephanie Talton
Deputy Assistant Commissioner
Office of Congressional Affairs
What should I include in my correspondence?
- A Congressional staff point of contact, including a phone number and email.
- A brief description of the issue. This helps us assign your inquiry to the right subject matter expert.
- A return address, if you would like a hard copy response. All other responses will be electronic.
IMPORTANT: All correspondence must be on the Congressional member's stationery and signed by the member.
What about the statement from the constituent?
The constituent's statement should be clear, specific, and detailed. Typed statements are preferable; illegible documents delay the response in the correspondence process.
Please include all supporting documentation. If the inquiry is about travel, please include the traveler's legal name and date of birth.
If you are inquiring on behalf of a constituent, you must have a privacy release form signed by the individual who is the subject of the inquiry before we can assist you. The authorization must clearly state the individual is authorizing CBP to release his or her personal information to your office (as opposed to a general statement that you are looking into a matter on his or her behalf).
When will I get a response?
The timeframe for a response varies based on the complexity and nature of your inquiry. Some responses can take more than 90 days. However, we make every effort to answer your inquiry as quickly and efficiently as possible.
What if I still have questions?
OCA is happy to help however we can. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need additional assistance. Give us a call at (202) 344-1760 or (202) 344-1750. Our office hours are Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.