US conducts border crossing exercises ahead of Trump inauguration

 

U.S. Border Agents Conduct Security Drills as Trump’s Inauguration Approaches

United States law enforcement officers conducted security exercises on Friday at a key border crossing with Mexico, using barbed wire and concrete barriers. The drills, which took place on an international bridge linking Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, and El Paso, Texas, temporarily halted vehicle traffic for approximately 40 minutes, according to an AFP reporter.

Border Drills Intensify Ahead of Trump’s Presidency

Officials from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in El Paso stated that such exercises have been in place since 2019, designed to prepare agents for potential security incidents at the border. However, residents in Ciudad Juárez noted a noticeable increase in these drills as President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration nears.

Trump, who has vowed to carry out the largest mass deportation of undocumented migrants in U.S. history, is set to take office on Monday. “This is the second time this week I’ve seen the crossing shut down,” said Yadira Martinez, one of the travelers affected by the temporary closure.

Ciudad Juárez: A Crucial Migration Gateway

As one of the primary entry points into the United States, Ciudad Juárez serves as a transit hub for migrants fleeing poverty, violence, and political instability. It is also an official processing site for asylum seekers who apply through the U.S. government’s CBP One mobile application.

Meanwhile, officials in Tijuana, another Mexican border city, declared a state of emergency earlier this week to allocate additional resources for handling potential deportations.

Trump’s Immigration Policies Fuel Border Tensions

Throughout his campaign, Trump repeatedly referred to the influx of migrants as an “invasion” and has pledged to take drastic measures to secure the southern border. He has promised to declare a national emergency upon assuming office, aiming to expedite the removal of millions of undocumented immigrants.

With tensions rising, security measures at key border crossings are expected to remain heightened in the coming days.