Migrant surge at U.S.-Mexico border slows trade as Washington seeks answers

Railroad companies and business groups are pressing the U.S. government to reopen trade routes on the Texas-Mexico border, after authorities closed two crossings in response to a rise in migrant crossings in recent days.
U.S. Border Patrol apprehended about 10,800 migrants at the southwest border on Monday, according to an internal agency report reviewed by Reuters. About 40% were families or unaccompanied children.
Several current and former U.S. officials said the number of migrants encountered on Monday was near or at a single-day record high.
“The encounter levels we are currently seeing across the southwest border are presenting a serious challenge to the men and women of CBP,” acting U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Troy Miller said in a statement.
He added that the agency was using “all available resources” to ensure the safety of agents and migrants.
Business groups and railroad operators are urging authorities to reopen rail bridges in Eagle Pass and El Paso, which U.S. border authorities closed on Dec. 18 in order to “redirect personnel” to process migrants crossing the border.