19 Nov 2018 | 07:58 PM UTC
Mexico/US: San Ysidro crossing closed amid caravan arrival Nov. 19 /update 2
American authorities temporarily close San Ysidro border crossing amid migrant caravan arrival November 19; rising tensions reported in Tijuana over presence of migrants
Event
American authorities temporarily closed the San Ysidro border crossing between the US state of California and the Mexican state of Baja California on Monday, November 19. The closure reportedly comes as American authorities brought "reinforcement materials" to the border amid migrants' recent arrivals to Tijuana and an associated increase in social tensions and related demonstrations in the city.
The temporary closure of the San Ysidro entry port affects the vehicular and pedestrian crossing on its east side. Individuals seeking to enter the US from Mexico are limited to traveling through the Otay Mesa port and the pedestrian crossing in the west side of the San Ysidro crossing; individuals seeking to enter Mexico from the US are not affected. It is unclear how long the temporary closure will last.
Further migrant arrivals are expected in Tijuana in the near term. A visible migrant presence (e.g. makeshift camps) is to be anticipated in Tijuana in the coming weeks as migrants wait for the opportunity to cross the border. A heightened security presence is to be expected near the US-Mexico border in the US states of California and Arizona over the coming days. Delays at border crossings in the US states of Texas and New Mexico are to be expected as officers in these states are redeployed to California and Arizona in anticipation of the arrivals of additional migrants from Central America.
Context
The caravan was initially expected to attempt to cross the border from the Mexican state of Tamaulipas into Texas. However, the caravan route has been rerouted to avoid more dangerous areas.
The initial group of migrants left San Pedro Sula (Honduras) on October 13, growing in size as it passed through Honduras and Guatemala. There are currently four caravans in total, including one originating in El Salvador.
Advice
Individuals in affected areas are advised to keep abreast of the situation, keep their distance from the caravans as a precaution, and be prepared for disruptions at land border crossings.
