SAN DIEGO (Border Report) — By the end of the month, Tijuana police and Mexican immigration officers are expected to be in place at the San Ysidro Port of Entry to conduct vehicle inspections, making sure people have proper documentation to enter the U.S.
Pedro Montejo Peterson, Secretary of Economic Development in Tijuana, said the goal is to cut down on long border waits. He says Tijuana police and personnel from Mexico’s National Institute of Migration will set up inspection points, asking people to show proof they can legally cross into the country.
This work is currently done by Customs and Border Protection officers on U.S. soil, but just south of the actual inspection gates. Montejo Peterson says if the Mexican officers can take on this role, it would free up the CBP to have them moved to the actual inspection gates.
“They’ll be able to open more gates and cars can get across faster, but this is not automatic, we have to show results,” said Montejo Peterson. “If they can see what we’re doing is beneficial, they’ll be prone to moving the CBP officers because right now only 17 out of 25 gates are open.”
Border waits are typically 2-3 hours, especially during the morning commute as thousands of people head north to work, school, family visits, doctor appointments and other reasons.
A similar effort was attempted two years, but it was abandoned after a few days.
CBP has not spoken specifically about this idea, but in the past it has said, “CBP’s San Ysidro Port of Entry (SYPO) is always in a continuous state of assessment, discussing and searching for the most effective ways to fully improve traffic flows and national security to the extent resources allow. This includes, when appropriate, leveraging the outstanding partnerships SYPO has with local governments in Mexico.”