03 Apr 2019 | 05:06 AM UTC
US/Mexico: Congestion reported at border crossings April 2 /update 1
US customs and immigration changes result in large delays at Mexico border crossings as of April 2; Trump softens previous threats of border closure
Event
US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials reported that the redeployment of customs and immigration officials at the US-Mexico border had resulted in congestion and long delays at ports of entry as of Tuesday, April 2. According to the statement, 750 officers had been tasked to work on migrant issues, resulting in a slow down of legal border crossings from Texas to California. Delays at Brownsville (Texas state) were reportedly around 180 minutes, twice the length of peak wait times in 2018. Further delays at overland border crossings are likely in the coming days and weeks.
President Donald Trump also softened his language on Tuesday regarding previous threats to close the border. It remains unclear what, if any, measure would go into effect in the event of a full or partial closure. Increased security, further personnel adjustments, and partial checkpoint closures may result in further congestion and increased wait time for processing people or goods crossing the border in the coming days.
Context
President Trump threatened to close "large portions" of the US-Mexico border on Friday, March 29; Trump has previously threatened to close the US-Mexico border though no such closures have gone into effect.
The US is currently experiencing a large number of migrants seeking asylum arriving at ports of entry or having crossed into US territory.
Advice
Individuals traveling overland across the US-Mexico border are advised to monitor developments to the situation and allow additional time to clear customs and immigration.
