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-Editorial
After being closed in 2023, Customs and Border Protection announced the reopening of key ports of entry that will allow the crossing of goods and travelers daily through the United States according to a statement released on Jan. 2.
Beginning Jan. 4, 2024, U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Office of Field Operations will resume operations at the following locations:
In Eagle Pass, Texas, vehicular processing will resume at Eagle Pass International Bridge 1 at 7 a.m. local time. In San Diego, California, San Ysidro’s Pedestrian West operations will resume at 6 a.m. local time. In Lukeville, Arizona, the Lukeville Port of Entry operations will resume at 6 a.m. local time. In Nogales, Arizona, the Morely Gate border crossing operations will resume at 10 a.m.
local time.
“CBP will continue to prioritize our border security mission as necessary in response to this evolving situation. We continue to assess security situations, adjust our operational plans, and deploy resources to maximize enforcement efforts against those noncitizens who do not use lawful pathways or processes – such as scheduling an appointment via CBP One™ – and those without a legal basis to remain in the United States,” CBP stated. “Members of the traveling public can check operational status, including Port of Entry wait times here.”
CBP said in September 2023 that the closure of San Ysidro would help Border Patrol process noncitizens who arrived between ports of entry and said they would work to achieve normal operations as quickly as possible.
CBP explained that these efforts “will primarily focus on vulnerable populations to include families and unaccompanied children.” Officials say the agency’s mission is to ensure the safety and well-being of detainees.
The PedWest pedestrian crossing is located on the east side of the Las Américas shopping center, where Virginia Avenue ends at the border, immediately west of the El Chaparral port of entry into Mexico. On the Mexican side, a walkway connects PedWest to the southeast, ending in front of the Plaza Viva Tijuana shopping center, from where there is a bridge to downtown Tijuana.
In addition, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations will temporarily suspend operations at the Amistad Dam international crossing on Jan. 2, 2024, to facilitate dam maintenance by the International Boundary and Water Commission.
Travelers who typically utilize the Amistad Dam crossing are encouraged to utilize the nearby Del Rio port of entry which is not impacted by the IBWC work. For any additional information on the scope and length of the project don’t hesitate to get in touch with the IBWC.
