Two railroad crossings are temporarily closed in Texas. Will there be a significant impact on trade?
The railroads and politicians have decried the move that closes two of the six available railroad systems between Mexico and the U.S.
“This train doesn’t just stop at Eagle Pass. This train doesn’t just impact Texas," Rep. Tony Gonzalez, a Republican congressman who represents the affected region, said Tuesday during a news conference. "This train impacts all of America, goods that are going all over America."
WHY IS IT HAPPENING?
CBP reported as many as 10,000 people entering the country illegally every day through the southwest border this month. Closing the railroad would free up customs officers to assist overwhelmed U.S. Border Patrol agents who need to take migrants into custody.
Union Pacific estimates the total losses for all impacted industries — in goods, wages and transportation costs — in excess of $200 million a day. The railroad giant said the two crossings make up 45% of its cross-border business and that it cannot shift trains to other gateways.
THAT SURE DIDN'T LAST LONG...
Railroad operations resume after 5-day closure in 2 Texas border towns
The federal government on Friday reopened two cross-border railroad crossings in Texas, five days after the shuttering of rail operations there disrupted trade and sparked outrage from U.S. and Mexican businesses.
Customs and Border Protection closed railroad operations in Eagle Pass and El Paso, Texas, on Monday to reallocate their customs officers to help Border Patrol take migrants into custody. Both regions have seen the number of illegal border crossings soar this month.
Operations resumed at both cities as of Friday afternoon.