Migrants walk on train tracks on their journey from Central America to the U.S. border, in Palenque, Chiapas state, Mexico, Feb. 10, 2021. President Joe Biden’s administration has taken steps toward rolling back some of the harshest policies of ex-President Donald Trump, but a policy remains allowing U.S. border officials to immediately send back almost anyone due to the new coronavirus pandemic. Photo: Isabel Mateos/AP
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to improve, the U.S. and Mexican governments—and the local authorities in the border communities—are balancing health concerns with reestablishing border security, travel and commerce. Taking into account the broader politics surrounding immigration and the influx of migrants, we discuss specific, measurable policy considerations for reopening the border.
Closed Land Border
The U.S.-Mexico land border closed to non-essential travel in March 2020 and the closure has been extended every month since. This includes all travel other than work, school and humanitarian circumstances. The land border closure has had a significant negative impact on communities on both sides of the border. Vehicular and foot traffic is down 50-60% compared to pre-pandemic levels, and the border communities who rely on commerce and fees collected at border crossing bridges are particularly impacted.
