CBP temporarily suspends port of entry operations as migrants flood southern border

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Temporarily Halts Operations at El Paso Port of Entry

In a move aimed at aiding the processing of noncitizens arriving at the border, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has temporarily suspended operations at a port of entry near El Paso. The CBP’s El Paso Office of Field Operations made the announcement last week, stating that cargo processing at the Bridge of the Americas (BOTA) port of entry will be halted, with no specific return date mentioned, except for “as quickly as feasible.”

The suspension at BOTA is intended to allow CBP’s Office of Field Operations officers to assist the U.S. Border Patrol in handling noncitizens who have arrived between the ports of entry, including vulnerable populations like families and unaccompanied children. This measure is part of CBP’s contingency planning to support its overarching mission and ensure the safety and well-being of individuals in its custody.

During this suspension, members of the trade community may consider utilizing alternative entry points such as Ysleta, Santa Teresa, or Marcelino Serna (Tornillo) cargo facilities. BOTA’s regular operating hours from Monday through Friday are from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Senior leaders at CBP have informed stakeholders about this temporary suspension and pledged to remain in communication, providing updates on these contingency plans as they develop.

The BOTA land port of entry, situated on the international border separating El Paso, Texas, from Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico, serves as a critical transportation link between the two nations.

Notably, BOTA processes both inbound and outbound commercial, non-commercial, and pedestrian traffic without requiring toll payments, resulting in consistently higher traffic volumes compared to other entry points.

Built initially in 1967, BOTA has struggled with an increase in truck and vehicular traffic over the past few years, leading to significant congestion issues. Many of its buildings and infrastructure are operating beyond capacity and no longer meet CBP standards.

This suspension announcement coincides with a recent incident in which more than 2,200 migrants were caught illegally crossing the border near Eagle Pass, Texas, overnight. Fox News Digital has reached out to CBP’s El Paso Field Office for additional information but has yet to receive a response.