Texas Border Coalition Urges Biden Administration to Reopen International Rail Crossings in El Paso, Eagle Pass
News Release.
EL PASO, Texas (Dec. 19, 2023) – The Texas Border Coalition (TBC) today urged the Biden Administration to reconsider and promptly reopen critical rail crossings in El Paso and Eagle Pass. This appeal aims to mitigate the escalating downstream delays adversely affecting the Texas economy.
The recent decision by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to close the El Paso and Eagle Pass rail crossings as part of its border management strategy has triggered immediate and severe repercussions for cross-border trade and transportation.
“With 24 trains facilitating the transportation of agricultural products, automotive parts, finished vehicles, chemicals, consumer goods, and more daily, the sudden shutdown at these two crossings has extensive downstream impacts on shippers, customers, and the entire North American rail network,” said El Paso County Commissioner and TBC Chairman David Stout.
Stout noted that one railroad has reportedly been forced to place holds on more than 60 trains in 50 different rail yards due to inadequate detour options. In addition, grain trains were being held in various locations throughout Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Missouri, and Kansas. Similar holds have been enforced for U.S.-bound traffic currently detained in Mexico.
Contrary to the explanation provided by the CBP, it is crucial to note that migrants are not utilizing these well-controlled rail crossings in significant numbers.
“With 100 percent screening procedures in place, closing these rail gateways will not alleviate unauthorized crossingsbut impose significant economic costs,” Stout said.
TBC also urged the Biden Administration to reopen Eagle Pass Bridge 1 to vehicular traffic. The partial closure is having a damaging impact on the border economy. Like many border communities, the number of bridge crossings impacts local government revenue, which accounts for about half of Eagle Pass’ annual budget.
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About the Texas Border Coalition (TBC)
The Texas Border Coalition (TBC) is a collective voice of border mayors, county judges, and economic development commissions focused on issues that affect 2.8 million people along the Texas-Mexico border region and economically disadvantaged counties from El Paso to Brownsville. TBC is working closely with the state and federal government to educate, advocate, and secure funding for transportation, immigration and border security, workforce development, economic development, and health care. For more information, visit the coalition website at www.texasbordercoalition.org. Follow TBC on Facebook and Twitter [#TXBorderCoalition] to keep current on the latest news about the coalition and its activities.
Julie Hillrichs
Vianovo
812 San Antonio St, Suite 315
Austin, TX 78701
512.744.0044
972-971-0117
