Chaotic Border Crossing on Tuesday

NOGALES, SONORA, MX – As incredible as it might seem, between 12 and 20 hours was the estimated time invested by travelers who tried to cross the border through Nogales between Monday and Tuesday.

Amid the Covid-19 pandemic and regardless of the restrictions in Mexico of only allowing essential traffic flow, thousands of travelers crossed from the United States to Mexico to spend Memorial weekend.

On Memorial Day, US citizens remember their loved ones fallen in combat, but it is also an opportunity to vacation in Mexico.

The agglomeration started about 4:00 p.m. on Monday when thousands of travelers arrived in their cars to wait to cross through one of the ports of entry in Nogales.

But there were too many cars and too few border crossing lanes open. Only two lines were operating at each port, and in a short time, the travelers saturated the streets of Nogales, Sonora, and caused congested traffic to the United States.

Those waiting in line at Puerto Mariposa that were not able to cross by eight o’clock at night, which is when it closes, had to move to Dennis DeConcini and start the line again.

The next morning some were still waiting in line to cross the border.

Local authorities in Mexico placed two portable toilets for those who wanted to cross through Dennis DeConcini.

The Transit Department in Nogales, Sonora, asked travelers to avoid crossing for leisure because Sonora is going through one of the most contagious periods of Covid-19.

According to CBP, at noon on Tuesday, Nogales had a six-hour border wait time, although some motorists reported waiting as much as twelve hours.

In the Port of San Luis, travelers who wanted to cross into the United States had to wait for 7 hours at the same hour.

Restrictions on non-essential border crossing into the United States, as a measure to prevent the spread of the Covid-19, remain in effect until June 22.