Industry groups call on CBP to reopen two Texas-based railroad crossings

Following the closing of international railroad crossings at Eagle Pass and El Paso, Texas by the United States Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), various carrier and shipper groups are calling for CBP to reopen the crossings, in order to resume railroad operations.

On December 18, CBP said that it is continuing to surge all available resources to safely process migrants in response to increased levels of migrant encounters at the Southwest Border, fueled by smugglers peddling disinformation to prey on vulnerable individuals.

“After observing a recent resurgence of smuggling organizations moving migrants through Mexico via freight trains, CBP is taking additional actions to surge personnel and address this concerning development, including in partnership with Mexican authorities,” it said. “Beginning December 18, 2023 at 8:00 AM local time, CBP’s Office of Field Operations will temporarily suspend operations at the international railway crossing bridges in Eagle Pass and El Paso, Texas in order to redirect personnel to assist the U.S. Border Patrol with taking migrants into custody. CBP will continue to prioritize our border security mission as necessary in response to this evolving situation.”

The Association of American Railroads issued a statement, calling on CBP to reopen the crossings, which it said serve as key arteries of the North American rail network.  

“The urgency of reopening these crossings and restoring rail service between the two nations cannot be overstated,” said AAR President and CEO Ian Jefferies. “There are not separate U.S. and Mexican rail networks; there is only one interconnected North American rail network. Every day the border remains closed unleashes a cascade of delay across operations on both sides of the border, impacting customers and ultimately consumers. Railroads have worked closely with our partners in both the U.S. and Mexican government to create an effective and efficient screening process. As CBP continues to address the exceptionally challenging humanitarian crisis, railroads urge CBP to also safeguard the nation’s supply chain from further disruption.”

AAR added that CBP’s decision most directly and immediately impacts operations for two Class I railroads—Union Pacific and BNSF—and the customers those companies serve. It observed that these two carriers together securely operate 24 trains daily at these crossings, moving agricultural products, automotive parts, finished vehicles, chemicals, consumer goods and more to customers spanning the continent.

“But ultimately, every railroad is affected by this sudden shutdown of operations since all carriers interchange goods across the North American rail network,” it said. AAR also stated that while the industry continues to navigate the fluid situation at the border, railroads are diligently working to limit impacts to customers and the network. When the Eagle Pass and El Paso gateways reopen, the railroads are committed to restoring cross-border movements as quickly and safely as possible.

The Intermodal Association of North America (IANA) threw its support behind the AAR, saying that as evidenced during the recent pandemic, any single impediment to the movement of cargo reverberates throughout the entire supply chain, adding that the prolonged closure of these pivotal transit routes for goods disrupts the equilibrium that is indispensable to the smooth functioning of the freight supply chain.

“While acknowledging the ongoing border issues, it is imperative that the flow of freight remains unencumbered throughout these challenges,” said Joni Casey, President and CEO of IANA. “The reopening of these border crossings is vital to reinstating the essential flow of trade between the U.S. and Mexico.”

The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) and the North America Export Grain Association (NAEGA) also called for CBP to immediately reopen the Eagle Pass and El Paso railroad crossings.  

“The North American market and grain trade supply chain are deeply intertwined,” the organizations said. “The closure of these two crossings is impacting the flow of grain and oilseeds for both human and livestock feed to one of the United States most important export markets and trading partners. According to USDA data rail represents 64% of grain and oilseed exports to Mexico, including 15,565,138 MTs [metric tons] of grains and oilseeds exported via rail in 2021 and 3.45 MTs of grains and oilseeds in the third quarter of 2023. NGFA and NAEGA have become aware this afternoon of critical tightness in feeding supplies for several livestock feeders in Mexico. We have also learned of grain trains in multiple states being held for shipment due to CBP’s embargo. The critical nature of this issue is growing by the hour, particularly for those livestock feeders that may run short of feed. We are deeply concerned by the developing situation and request that CBP work with us, the railroads and other federal partners to develop a common sense and expedient solution that reopens this critical mode of agricultural transportation for the U.S. and North American markets.”