CBP cutting hours at Nogales border crossing due to CV-19

Posted Apr 3, 2020

Paul Ingram
TucsonSentinel.com

Paul Ingram/TucsonSentinel.comAn officer with CBP walks along the loading dock of the Mariposa port of entry in January 2019.

Owing to a request from Mexican officials, U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced Friday that next week the agency will limit the hours for personal vehicles and pedestrians at the Mariposa port of entry in Nogales because of the "impact" of COVID-19.

In a statement, Nogales-area officials said that they would limit crossing times beginning Monday to 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Officials said that this will not affect traffic at the commercial port, where thousands of truck carrying manufactured goods and produce continue to stream across the border.

At the request of Servicio de Administración Tributaria de Nogales (SAT) Administrator, the Mariposa crossing will modify operational hours, said Rob Daniels, an agency spokesman.

"Commercial traffic hours remain unchanged, at this time," he said.

"The Port of Nogales continually works closely with local partners and industry stakeholders," said Area Port Director Michael Humphries. "The reduction in hours will further CBP measures to protect our employees from exposure while stopping the potential spread of COVID-19."

Earlier this week, Mexican officials closed the Morley Avenue pedestrian port of entry, forcing CBP officials to shut down operations on the U.S. side, closing the pedestrian-only port that flows directly into Nogales' downtown retail district, which is about a mile east of the Mariposa port.

CBP officials asked people to use the agency's Border Wait Time app that can be downloaded via their mobile device, which shows estimated wait times and which lanes are open at the port to avoid potential delays.