Mexico/US: San Ysidro crossing reopened amid tensions /update 3

Event

American authorities have reopened the San Ysidro border crossing between the US state of California and the Mexican state of Baja California following a three-hour closure on Monday, November 19. The closure was ordered to allow agents to increase security measures amid the arrival of migrant caravans.

Tensions have increased in Tijuana on the Mexican side of the border as migrants arrive, with as many as 10,000 expected in the coming weeks. Due to US policies that severely restrict the number of asylum seekers allowed to cross the border daily, significant backlogs are expected, with migrants being housed in emergency shelters and makeshift camps. This has led to small but heated protests from angry residents. A large number of migrants has also reached the border town of Mexicali.

A heightened security presence is to be expected near the border in the coming days and weeks. 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.

Context

San Ysidro is one of the busiest border crossings in the US, typically processing some 110,000 north-bound people on a daily basis.

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 five caravans in total, including two originating in El Salvador. The caravans were initially expected to attempt to cross the border from the Mexican state of Tamaulipas into Texas. However, the route was rerouted to avoid more dangerous areas.

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.