Wilson Portocarrero, a supervisor with Customs and Border Protection (CBP), confirmed the ongoing discussions with the U.S. Congress to increase the number of border officers, as mentioned by National Commissioner Troy A. Miller. He noted, however, that the number of processing lines has already risen from 24 to 34.

“We have a new booth; previously, we had fewer lines, but now we’ve increased to 34. However, as the National Commissioner stated, we are trying to discuss with Congress about adding more officers to address national security objectives, including curbing the flow of illicit drugs into the country,” Portocarrero explained.

During a press conference, Pedro Montejo Peterson, head of the Municipal Secretariat for Economic Development (SEDETI), emphasized the enhanced coordination with CBP to streamline border crossings while ensuring the safety of individuals crossing.

You may also be interested in its Spanish version: Amplía CBP de veinticuatro a 34 filas para cruzar por San Ysidro

“There has been a request for coordination between CBP and Tijuana, not only to expedite crossings but also to enhance security for those crossing. We have had follow-up meetings based on a master plan aimed at improving the situation, which involves opening new lanes and ensuring proper lighting and safety conditions when visitors return,” Montejo stated.

Portocarrero reminded that crossing into the United States previously took several hours, but it is now estimated to take 15 to 20 minutes in the Sentri lane and up to an hour and a half in the Ready Lane. He urged daily border crossers to have their documents ready, as this can help expedite the process for the officers conducting inspections.

“We ask everyone to be prepared and have their documents ready, as every second counts, and it can save time. We assist around 100,000 people crossing daily, and amplifying this information can help us reduce crossing times by up to five seconds per person,” he noted.

Binational Security Strategic Plan

The Tijuana City Council plans to implement a binational security filter before individuals cross at the San Ysidro and Otay booths. This initiative will involve bilingual private security officers and aims to enhance security measures on the Mexican side. Montejo explained that for each inspection, seven CBP officers are assigned, who could be redirected to other areas once the Tijuana City Council initiates this strategic security project.