Agriculture and Rail Firms Call for Reopening of US-Mexico Crossings Closed Due to Migrant Issues

A coalition of major U.S. agricultural organizations is urging the reopening of two rail crossings on the Texas-Mexico border that were closed due to increased migrant crossings. In a strongly-worded letter addressed to U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, representatives from various agricultural sectors, including corn, milk, rice, and soybeans, emphasized the need to swiftly reopen the crossings to avoid substantial export losses.

The agricultural groups, including the National Grain and Feed Association, U.S. Wheat Associates, American Soybean Association, and National Corn Growers Association, asserted that the closures, which occurred on Dec. 18, are causing significant disruptions to trade. They estimated that nearly 1 million bushels of grain exports are potentially lost each day the crossings remain closed. The letter also highlighted the broader impact on agricultural products, warning that blocking food shipments to Mexico could lead to inflation or food insecurity in the region.

Railroad companies and business organizations, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, have been actively urging U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to reopen the rail bridges in Eagle Pass and El Paso, Texas. The closures were initiated by U.S. border authorities to redirect personnel towards processing migrants at the border. The agricultural groups challenged CBP's rationale for closing the trade routes, suggesting that as few as five employees per crossing could facilitate the reopening.

The surge in migrant crossings at the southwest border reached a notable high, with U.S. Border Patrol apprehending approximately 10,800 migrants on a single day, according to an internal agency report. The closure of legal border crossings by the U.S. has been viewed as an attempt to pressure Mexico, which announced a suspension of migrant removals due to a year-end funding crunch. The Mexican foreign ministry spokesperson indicated that no date had been set for resuming repatriations.

The agricultural organizations stressed the urgency of resolving the situation, expressing concern about the potential long-term impacts on trade and food supplies. They emphasized the need for close collaboration between the U.S. and Mexican governments to address the issue promptly.

In response to the growing concerns, a White House spokesperson stated that the U.S. is actively working with the Mexican government to find a resolution. The spokesperson also mentioned the deployment of additional personnel to the region and ongoing communication with industry leaders to assess and mitigate the impacts of the temporary closures.

The closures have already taken a toll on trade, with total rail freight between the El Paso and Eagle Pass ports exceeding $3 billion in both directions in October, accounting for around 4% of total trade across the U.S.-Mexico border that month. Neil Bradley, Chief Policy Officer of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, emphasized that the rail shutdowns would result in significant economic harm and would not contribute to securing the border.

The situation at the border has become intertwined with broader political negotiations, as President Joe Biden seeks to strike a deal with Republican lawmakers. The proposed deal involves increased U.S. border security coupled with military aid for Ukraine and Israel. However, bipartisan negotiations have faced challenges, and a compromise has yet to be reached as the Christmas break approaches.