U.S. Installs New Barrier Near Tijuana River to Deter Mass Crossings

San Diego, California - In response to the ongoing challenge of mass migrant crossings near the Tijuana River, the United States is installing a new barrier just north of the border. The location, where the Tijuana River enters the U.S. through a concrete-lined canal, has been a hotspot for migrants attempting large-group crossings.

This initiative comes after a recent incident where a migrant from West Africa tragically lost his life during a mass crossing. His body was discovered approximately a quarter mile north of the border in the Tijuana River Valley. While the official cause of death is pending from the San Diego County Medical Examiner, Mexico’s Institute of Migration suggests the migrant may have drowned after being accidentally stomped by others in the group.

The new barrier is strategically positioned to counteract these mass incursions, serving as a temporary measure until a permanent barrier, currently under construction in the same area, is completed. The upcoming permanent barrier aims to connect both sides of the river, facilitating Border Patrol agents' movement between them, a capability they currently lack.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) anticipates that the temporary barrier will mitigate mass crossings until the permanent structure is finalized. CBP emphasizes that the new barrier is crucial in preventing large groups of migrants from stampeding north of the border.

In a parallel effort, Mexico’s National Institute of Migration is taking steps to enhance security on its side of the border. Contractors have been hired to install a chain-link fence with barbed wire along the canal banks on the Tijuana side, covering a distance of 800 meters. This measure aims to discourage individuals from accessing the flowing water and attempting to cross into the U.S.

Additionally, Mexico has erected a portable observation tower to enable the National Guard to monitor the area for any gatherings of migrants attempting to make their way into the U.S. This coordinated approach seeks to address the complex challenge of mass migrant crossings along the border.