U.S. Closes Key Texas Border Crossing, Reduces Arizona Operations Amid Migrant Surge

The decision, in response to an influx of migrant encounters, has led to significant trade losses and redirected personnel to assist in migrant detention.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has temporarily closed Bridge 1 in Eagle Pass, Texas, and reduced operations at Lukeville, Arizona's crossing point, in response to a surge in migrant encounters along the southwest U.S.-Mexico border.
The decision to redirect personnel to assist in the detention of migrants was made as the U.S. continues to see increased levels of migrant encounters, with over 240,000 migrants encountered along the southwest border in October alone.
The closure of Bridge 1, which was also closed for several weeks from late September, has resulted in significant trade losses for the city of Eagle Pass, with the mayor stating the city lost at least $500,000 in trade and cargo traffic as a result.
The Tucson sector in Arizona, which includes Lukeville, was the busiest of nine sectors along the U.S.-Mexico border last month for attempted illegal crossings.
Texas continues to try to stem the flow of migrants across its border, with a recent bill promising to deport those seeking asylum approved by Governor Greg Abbott.