Chaos at the border: Massive influx of immigrants, while Union Pacific demands Biden to reopen Eagle Pass and El Paso rail crossings due to threat of shortages

The rail company says that 45% of rail transportation with Mexico passes through these closed entry points, and it is impossible to reroute them along the other four border routes.

Inmigrantes en Eagle Pass (Texas) — (ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP)

Published by

Israel Duro

19 de diciembre, 2023

Topics:

The chaotic situation on the border continues to worsen. The number of immigrants trying to enter the country illegally through Mexico continues to break records, with thousands waiting in the open to be assisted by the Border Patrol. The situation led authorities to close train rail service in El Paso and Eagle Pass, Texas. The decision was criticized by Union Pacific, which warns of potential shortages of food and basic materials, as 45% of total rail traffic between the U.S. and Mexico passes through these crossing. The rail company urged their immediate reopening.

Journalists covering the border have expressed that they are overwhelmed by the current situation. This is the case of veteran Fox reporter Bill Melugin, who shared a video from Eagle Pass, in which thousands of immigrants are seen waiting in the open to be processed by the Border Patrol after crossing illegally. The journalist said that in the hundreds of days he has spent on the border with Mexico, "I've never seen it like this." In recent weeks, more than 18,000 immigrants have been received in Tucson (18,900 between Dec. 1 and 8, a record) and far exceeded 17,000 in Eagle Pass, according to CBP authorities in these sectors.

Risk of shortages

With Border Patrol agents overwhelmed, ports of entry have been closed to reinforce other points of entry, such as Tucson. On Monday, rail crossings in Texas were closed in El Paso and Eagle Pass. The measure could cause national shortages, especially in the run-up to the Christmas holidays. According to Union Pacific, 45% of the rail traffic between Mexico and the U.S. passes through those crossings, and it is not possible to redirect the trains.

Union Pacific urges the Eagle Pass and El Paso border crossings be reopened immediately. These locations represent 45% of cross-border Union Pacific business and include goods critical to the U.S. economy. There isn’t enough capacity at our other four gateways to reroute them. With Christmas and the New Year’s holidays just days away, Union Pacific is in close communication with multiple government agencies and our customers, urging that the crossings closed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection be reopened. While the company understands this is a complex humanitarian crisis, most migrants are not crossing the border on trains.

In addition, the company warned of the risk for consumers and companies, especially if the closure continues. According to their data, "Every day that the border is closed, Union Pacific is forced to embargo customers’ goods on more than 60 trains, or nearly 4,500 rail cars, with an equivalent of goods being held in Mexico. Union Pacific is doing everything possible to stage trains and work with customers to prevent congestion at the border. The longer this closure is in effect, the more difficult it will be for cross-border trade to resume."

Daily impact of border closure

- Union Pacific must seize customer freight on more than 60 trains.

- Nearly 10,000 cars detained on both sides of the border.

- Approximately 45% of all railcars moving to and from Mexico cross through El Paso and Eagle Pass.

Goods paralyzed at the border

- Agricultural products (grain held in six Midwestern states).

- Food and beverages (beer and dry food products).

- Automotive goods (finished vehicles and parts).

- Consumer goods.

- Industrial products (metals and cement).

Two out of three Americans call to punish companies who hire illegal migrants

A Fox News poll found that 64% of Americans want the federal government to punish and fine employers who hire illegal immigrants. However, 32% of those surveyed, disagreed with this initiative.