Today on January 9, 2023, border crossing operations resumed at the Ped-West port of entry. Also known as “El Chaparral”, this port of entry closed its gates three years ago.

The Ped-West port of entry was closed in April 2020, due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This week US authorities resumed operations here, in order to speed up the border pedestrian crossings from Mexico into the United States.

At this event, Secretary of the Interior of Baja California, Catalino Zavala was present and he stated that this reopening is the first stage in regularizing crossings into the United States. In addition, he also toured this port of entry saying that these actions will allow the migratory flow to speed up for those who cross to carry out specific tasks such as students and even tourists.

Starting today, people in Tijuana will be able to get into the United States from the Ped-West port of entry from 6 AM to 2 PM. So far, these hours will be kept permanently. This crossing is only from south to north (from Tijuana to San Ysidro).

Though long lines at the San Ysidro port of entry have been reported in the last few months, the number of people who crossed through Ped-West was minimal. In the first few minutes after 6 AM, only one person was reported. From 6 AM to 8 AM, only 20 people crossed, according to SAT agents who handle the border crossings from the United States on the Mexican side.

It is expected that the number of people increases as the days go by. It should be noted that this measure was suggested by the government of the United States in order to improve travelers’ experiences when entering into their country.