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It could take longer to get across the border this summer. Here's why

Hundreds of northern border officials will be temporarily transferred to U.S.-Mexico border
USED International Bridge FullSizeRender 2
A view of the International Bridge from Whitefish Island. Photo by Carol Martin.

The Associated Press is reporting that hundreds of United States border guards are being temporarily transferred from the north to the U.S.-Mexico border, which could potentially mean longer wait times along the northern U.S. border during the summer travel season.

According to the report, U.S. Customs and Border Protection is in the process of sending 731 northern border agents from land, sea and airports to the U.S.-Mexico border, where they will assist southern border officials in handling families and unaccompanied children from Central America.

While U.S. Customs and Border Protection wouldn’t elaborate on where the agents are coming from, it did mention that the workers will be pulled from 328 ports of entry.

Sootoday received the following statement from U.S. Customs and Border Protection: 

Facilitation of legitimate trade and travel remains a priority for CBP at its 328 ports of entry nationwide. 

While the current Southwest border security and humanitarian crisis is impacting CBP operations, we are working to mitigate the effects as much as possible.

Currently, CBP has temporarily re-assigned 731 CBP officers from ports around the nation to Border Patrol sectors where apprehensions of family units and unaccompanied children from Central America have overwhelmed Border Patrol capabilities and facilities. This includes CBP officers from Northern border ports, seaports, and airports in order to lessen the impact at any one particular port of entry. 

Travelers are urged to plan accordingly and check the CBP wait times page for the most up-to-date border crossing information.

The full story from The Associated Press can be read here

 


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