U.S. Customs and Border Protection temporarily suspended northbound pedestrian processing at the San Ysidro Port of Entry on Monday in preparation for the arrival of a caravan of migrants from Central America. The lanes were closed for three hours so that Department of Defense and CBP personnel could install jersey barriers and concertina wire.
This AM, all of #SanYsidro Port of Entry's northbound lanes were temporarily closed to initiate additional port hardening efforts after @CBP officials were notified that a large # of caravan migrants were planning to rush the border in an attempt to gain illegal access to the US.
— Secretary Kirstjen M. Nielsen (@SecNielsen) November 19, 2018
CBP received reports that members of the caravan were going to attempt to rush the border illegally rather than cross the border and turn themselves in to seek asylum. Border Patrol officials then suspended the northbound lanes, but there were no attempted crossings.
The suspension went into effect at 3:15 a.m. and the lanes were reopened at 6:25 a.m.
“CBP will not allow for the unlawful entry of persons into the United States, at or between our ports of entry,” said Pete Flores, director of field operations in San Diego. “Waiting until a large group of persons mass at the border to attempt an illegal crossing is too late for us; we need to be prepared prior to when they arrive at the border crossing.”
Unfortunately, some members of the caravan are purposely causing disruptions at our border ports of entry. There is a legal and illegal way to enter the US. We have deployed additional forces to protect our border. We will enforce all our laws.
— Secretary Kirstjen M. Nielsen (@SecNielsen) November 19, 2018
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