Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a press release on Tuesday, revealing that the United States will resume operations at an international bridge in Eagle Pass, Texas, along with two crossings in Arizona and another near San Diego, California. This decision comes as apprehensions at the U.S.-Mexico border have receded from the peak reached in December when nearly 11,000 migrants were apprehended in a single day, an alarming statistic that was described as near or at a record high by several current and former officials.
Lawmakers are currently engaged in discussions regarding a potential agreement that would combine increased border security measures with foreign aid, including military funding for Ukraine. U.S. President Joe Biden expressed his concern, stating, "We gotta do something. They ought to give me the money I need to protect the border," upon his arrival at the White House on Tuesday evening, referencing members of Congress.
Notably, Mexican and U.S. officials have pledged to work together more closely to address the ongoing migration issue at their shared border. High-level U.S. officials recently traveled to Mexico to meet with Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, resulting in a commitment to enhanced collaboration.
In recent weeks, Mexico has intensified its immigration enforcement efforts, including relocating migrants to southern Mexico and resuming deportation flights to Venezuela, according to a senior U.S. official who spoke during a briefing with reporters on Tuesday, requesting anonymity.
Mexico has welcomed the decision to reopen the border crossings, with its foreign ministry stating, "This will benefit the economies of both countries," reiterating its earlier call for the reopening of crossings between the two nations.
Recent data reveals that U.S. border authorities have been averaging approximately 6,400 migrant arrests per day over the past week, marking a significant decline from the levels witnessed prior to the Christmas holiday. However, a separate U.S. official on the call cautioned that migrant crossings have historically decreased during the period between Christmas and New Year's Day. The official emphasized the readiness of U.S. authorities to respond to fluctuations in migration patterns, acknowledging that such surges have been observed throughout the past year.
As the United States reopens these border crossings and continues to grapple with immigration challenges, the situation at the U.S.-Mexico border remains a prominent issue for both nations, with ongoing discussions regarding potential solutions and collaborative efforts to address the complex matter of border security and immigration.
