Mexico Migrant Protest Forces Closure of El Paso Bridge in Texas

Several migrants in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, protested early Monday, leading the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to briefly close the Paso Del Norte International Bridge in El Paso, Texas.

The bridge serves as a link between the Mexican border city of Ciudad Juarez and the city of El Paso.

However, the temporary closure of one of the most important border crossings between the United States and Mexico was only a precautionary step, according to a CBP spokesperson, who clarified that they only "took precautionary steps and initiated port hardening measures after a large group formed at the base of the crossing on the Mexican side."

El Paso Bridge Closure From Migrant Protest Led to Massive Vehicular Traffic

According to the Associated Press, the bridge's closing also meant that for about three hours, vehicular traffic was closed while pedestrian traffic was more briefly affected.

The CBP also placed barricades along the bridge to reduce vehicle traffic. Crisis 24 reported that the CBP would likely maintain increased security measures along the Paso del Norte International Bridge following the migrant protests.

Transport and business disruptions due to the bridge's closure are expected within the day, as clashes between protesters and police cannot be ruled out.

Several vehicles were forced to turn back as they awaited the protesters to disperse. Around 300 migrants gathered near the crossing point when authorities in Mexico decided to close the border crossings.

The migrants are reportedly frustrated using the online app to apply for U.S. asylum hearings. Thus, they feel they are not being allowed to apply for asylum in the US.

Back in January, the Biden administration allowed migrants to be able to apply for asylum online so that things would be "easier." However, many have said this complicated things further as many migrants have no access to the internet.

According to the official CBP website, the app is free to download. The CBP said the app will enable non-citizens migrants to apply directly to the agency before a government official determines who gets in.

The CBPOne is reportedly replacing Title 42, which allows U.S. border officials to immediately expel migrants and asylum seekers on public health grounds.

Migrant Protest Transferred to the Border Wall

The migrants massed around the bridge on the Mexican side of the border were also protesting about March 27's fatal migrant facility fire that killed around 40 migrants.

Some of the migrant protesters left the Paso del Norte Bridge and were seen walking near the Rio Grande levee. According to Border Report, they were heading toward the gates on the border wall along El Paso's Lower Valley.

However, families camping near the National Migration Institute offices in Juarez municipality in Mexico's Chihuahua state replaced those who left.

Despite concerns about the protesters turning violent, the migrant protest has been reportedly peaceful.

Mayor Cruz Perez Cuellar of Ciudad Juarez said in a Facebook Live: "I received reports they were making a peaceful manifestation at (PND). If there is no obstruction (to traffic), we won't do anything."

However, the mayor also pointed out that some migrants in the Kiki Romero municipal shelter have received misleading messages through social media apps like WhatsApp that the border is open to asylum seekers. He noted that the U.S. government does not operate that way, but "they get excited" and leave.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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