EPA Officials Visit Port of New York/Newark During Inspection Activities to Prevent Illegal Imports from Entering U.S.
NEWARK, N.J. – On March 25, 2026, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Assistant Administrator Jeffrey A. Hall, of the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA), traveled to New Jersey as part of the Administration’s continued crackdown on illegal toxic and polluting imports. Under the Trump Administration, EPA is dramatically expanding its imports investigative capacity and enforcement scope. Broader investigations that target illegal pesticide and chemical smuggling operations across multiple sectors help to safeguard our communities, our food supply, essential goods, and national security. This stepped-up enforcement blocked over 1.6 million pounds of illegal pesticide imports at ports across America during the first year of the Trump Administration.
“A core commitment of our environmental enforcement program is ensuring that foreigners do not profit by importing illegal toxins and polluting products that poison our communities,” said EPA’s Assistant Administrator for Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Jeffrey A. Hall. “Securing clean air, land, and water for all Americans means vigorously enforcing our nation’s laws and vigilantly policing the products that come across our borders. We’re grateful to have partners at U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Port of New York/Newark who share these commitments, and we look forward to greater cooperation with CBP through stepped-up inspections at ports of entry across the country.”
“EPA Region 2 is proud to partner with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection to advance the mission of protecting human health and the environment,” said Regional Administrator Michael Martucci. “Our inspection work at the Port of Newark, N.J., spotlights our joint federal commitment to combat the illegal importation of toxic pesticides, chemicals, and plumbing components that contain lead and do not comply with safeguards designed to protect America’s children and families. Make no mistake, under President Trump, EPA is on the job and at work at our ports and points of entry to keep communities safe.”
Assistant Administrator Hall was accompanied by EPA Region 2 Regional Administrator Michael Martucci during the visit to the Port of New York/Newark. Advancing the agency’s commitment to cooperative federalism and cross-agency partnerships, they met with Director of Field Operations Frank Russo, Port Director TenaVel T. Thomas, and other officials from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). EPA and CBP officials discussed how the two entities can continue working together to keep Americans safe from illegal and dangerous imports. This includes efforts to enhance the sharing of information critical to inspections, enforcement, and coordination to hold violators accountable. These officials also watched in-progress EPA inspections and reviewed some of the potentially violative products that had been found so far in this inspection push.
EPA’s enforcement and compliance assurance program and regional enforcement offices work alongside CBP officers and other federal partners to ensure that imported goods meet established environmental regulatory standards before they enter the United States. Working collaboratively, CBP facilitates EPA inspectors’ access to products, ensuring they can monitor compliance and enforce the law. EPA inspectors worked alongside CBP officers for the Port of New York/Newark inspections.
The Port of New York/Newark inspection is conducted under the authority granted to EPA by the following:
- American Innovation and Manufacturing Act (Aim Act)
- Clean Air Act (CAA)
- Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)
- Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)
- Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)
EPA’s inspection work at ports and borders is integral to preventing illegal and potentially harmful products from entering the country and harming humans and the environment. This proactive approach safeguards public health, upholds national security, and maintains economic stability.