After a five-day suspension in late December, U.S. Customs and Border Protection resumed operations at the international railway crossing bridges in Eagle Pass and El Paso, Texas. These critical rail arteries, essential for shipping grain into Mexico, were temporarily closed to redirect CBP resources for efficiently processing an influx of migrants entering the U.S. at these points.
The agency, while prioritizing border security, is adapting plans, deploying resources, and working toward maintaining efficient trade and travel operations. The two crossings, and additional crossings as needed, will remain open for longer hours to help alleviate the backlog of rail commerce.
This development follows the advocacy of the Ag Transportation Working Group, of which ASA is a member, urging the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to reopen these critical grain shipment routes. Read the letter here.Why it matters: These routes constitute 45% of all rail cars moving to and from Mexico. According to the U.S. Soybean Export Council, approximately 70% of soybeans exported to Mexico rely on rail transportation. On average, the U.S. exports about 110,000 metric tons of soybeans and 33,100 metric tons of soybean meal per week to Mexico.
