Border crossers report long waits

Commenters on social media reported waits at the border crossing up to five hours Sunday afternoon to make it to Calexico.

Hours later, other users said they had waited over eight hours to cross the port of entry.

According to the users, both wait times at both the east and west ports of entry increased considerably this weekend.

The long waits coincided with a series of measures that Customs and Border Protection has implemented to prevent the crossing of U.S. citizens and permanent residents for activities that are not considered essential.

Reuters news agency announced that CBP would implement these measures starting Friday.

According to the report, authorities have reduced staff to attend to the travelers, most of whom were sent to secondary inspection, where they would be questioned about their purpose of crossing and informed about the restrictions.

So far, CBP has not officially reported on implementation of the measures; however, it has released reports on social media about essential and non-essential crossings.

Essential travel is related to educational, health, work, business, diplomatic and military activities.

On Sunday, CBP Calexico Port Director David Salazar wrote on his Twitter account, “There is currently a 5-hour wait time at the Calexico port of entry tonight. Limit travel for essential purposes only.”

On Friday, CBP Regional Director of Field Operations Pete Flores also wrote on Twitter, “The Department of Homeland Security extended travel restrictions for non-essential travel until Sept. 21, 2020. That includes border crossings on the California border with Mexico.”

Salazar added, “The risk of COVID-19 infection remains real for the people of the Imperial Valley; let’s do our part to prevent the spread. Limit your travel through the Calexico ports of entry to essential travel only. CBP officers are working to facilitate essential travel only.”

In a case registered in the Facebook group Tiempo de Espera en Garitas Mexicali, a user reported having started in line at 8:40 p.m. on Saturday and not getting across until 5:30 a.m. on Sunday.

Later, other waiting times of up to eight hours were reported in these same groups.

The west port of entry line extended to Plaza del Sol, about 3.5 miles or 5.6 kilometers away.

Access through the east port of entry ends at 2 p.m. from Monday to Sunday, which added to wait times at the west port hours later.