U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in riot gear temporarily closed the international bridge to Mexico just before President Donald Trump took the oath of office. During his inaugural address, President Trump declared his intent to take immediate and decisive action on border security, including plans to declare a state of emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border and to end the Biden-era CBP One immigration app.
The port of entry in downtown El Paso was shut down Monday afternoon as CBP implemented heightened security measures. This coincided with Trump’s announcement of the reinstatement of his previous administration’s “Remain in Mexico” policy and an end to the “catch and release” practices that marked the prior administration’s approach to immigration.
“I will declare a national emergency at our southern border,” Trump said during his speech. “All illegal entry will immediately be halted, and we will begin the process of returning millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places from which they came.” He further emphasized his intent to reverse what he called the “disastrous invasion of our country” by restoring stricter immigration policies.
The president’s address underscored his commitment to reinstating the “Remain in Mexico” program, which requires asylum seekers to await their immigration court proceedings outside the United States. He also vowed to dismantle the Biden administration’s policies, which he claimed incentivized illegal immigration and undermined U.S. sovereignty.
The actions at the El Paso port of entry marked the start of Trump’s renewed focus on border security, a cornerstone of his agenda. CBP’s decision to shut down the bridge demonstrated the administration’s intention to act swiftly to implement its policies.
