Congressman Gonzalez Demands Answers to Reports of Lane Closures and Long Wait Times at Brownsville Ports of Entry   

Brownsville, Texas – Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) sent a letter to Acting Commissioner of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection urging immediate action to reduce the long wait times reported at multiple land ports of entry in Brownsville, Texas.

Congressman Gonzalez stated in the letter: "reports indicate only one to two lanes are open in the General and Ready lanes at the Gateway International Bridge, causing hours of traffic delays. According to Cameron County, eighty percent of pedestrian traffic in Brownsville is facilitated by the Gateway Bridge, making any delays severely impactful to trade and travel. Additionally, the Veterans International Bridge at Los Tomates and the Free Trade International Bridge at Los Indios, which account for more than $10.5 billion in cross-border commerce annually, and the Brownsville & Matamoros International Bridge have reportedly experienced recent wait times of up to six hours with limited lanes open at ports of entry...

Not only do these excessive wait times affect trade and travel time, but also the health and well-being of travelers, including children, families, and the elderly, who are unable to use restrooms or stop for water and food...Additionally, long wait times in excessive heat have caused multiple vehicles to stall, overheat, or damage tires, which endangers passengers and requires costly repairs."

You can read the full letter here.

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