EL PASO, Texas — Operations at the international railway crossing bridges in Eagle Pass and El Paso will be suspended beginning Dec. 18, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced in a news release.
CBP said the suspension is temporary.
The agency said the closure is in response to increased levels of migrant encounters at the Southwest Border and the need to safely process them.
"After observing a recent resurgence of smuggling organizations moving migrants through Mexico via freight trains, CBP is taking additional actions to surge personnel and address this concerning development, including in partnership with Mexican authorities," CBP said.
Personnel will be "redirected" to assist the U.S. Border Patrol with taking migrants into custody, according to CBP.
“We continue to adjust our operational plans to maximize enforcement efforts against those noncitizens who do not use lawful pathways or processes such as CBP One™ and those without a legal basis to remain in the United States," the agency said.
A date for the reopening was not released.
The suspension follows the recent closure of the Lukeville Port of Entry.
CBP said updates on operational statuses can be found here.
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