The United States is set to reopen four legal border crossings with Mexico as illegal immigration levels have decreased, allowing for the reallocation of personnel, according to U.S. border authorities. On Thursday, operations will resume at an international bridge in Eagle Pass, Texas, two crossings in Arizona, and another near San Diego, California. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) emphasized that while reopening the crossings, they will continue to prioritize border security as needed.
In December, U.S. border authorities faced challenges in processing migrants, with apprehensions reaching nearly 11,000 in a single day, a figure reported to be near or at a record high. Lawmakers are currently engaged in discussions regarding a potential deal that would combine increased border security measures with foreign aid, including military funding for Ukraine.
President Joe Biden expressed the urgency of addressing border security concerns, emphasizing the need for funding to protect the border. Talks between Mexican and U.S. officials have focused on collaborative efforts to address the significant migration levels at the shared border. Mexican authorities have recently intensified immigration enforcement, relocating migrants to southern Mexico and resuming deportation flights to Venezuela.
The reopening of the border crossings has been welcomed by Mexico, with the country’s foreign ministry highlighting the potential economic benefits for both nations. According to an internal U.S. government report, U.S. border authorities have averaged 6,400 migrant arrests per day over the past week, indicating a substantial decline from the levels observed before Christmas.
While acknowledging the recent decrease in migrant encounters, a U.S. official cautioned that historical patterns show fluctuations during the holiday period, with periods of both increased and decreased encounters. The official emphasized the readiness of U.S. authorities to respond to any surges in migrant crossings.
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