The Secretary of Interior of Baja California, Catalino Zavala Márquez, met with Assistant Director of Trade for Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the Field Office, Anne Maricich, as well as Sergio Guzmán, Director of San Ysidro Port, to analyze the recent issue of the increased demand of undocumented migrants crossing the San Ysidro Border Crossing, as well as coordinate binational efforts to establish a greater order regarding the assistance given to immigrants and strengthen the area’s security.

Catalino Zavala was accompanied by the Secretary of Public Security, General Gilberto Landeros Briseño, and the Secretary of Economy and Innovation, C.P. Kurt Honold Morales, as well as Teacher David Pérez Tejada Padilla, Director of Binational State Issues, and Lic. Gustavo de la Fuente Mix, Director of Pro Baja’s International Projects Office. Representing the National Institute of Migration (INAMI), Baja California Representative, Manuel Marín Salazar, was also present.

CBP authorities described the situation that the agency is facing with the recent increases of Russian and Ukrainian immigrants, among others. They also revealed the areas of work opportunity, in cooperation with the government of Baja California and INAMI, to establish a process to receive, inform, and organize the current number of immigrants, as well as the ones that will come in the future.

Secretary Zavala committed himself to work together with INAMI, the Tijuana Municipal Hall, shelters from the area, and non-government organizations to support the order and security efforts in the areas surrounding the border crossing, especially San Ysidro.

Furthermore, the Secretary of Public Security endorsed the agreements and committed his Secretariat to do their part regarding human support and necessary logistics to watch out for the security of immigrants, as well as people who normally cross the border for different reasons and needs.

Meanwhile, Secretary Honold told CBP about the importance of keeping mobility at the border in an orderly fashion and with the appropriate documentation for people who frequently cross to the US. He added that it is important to collaborate with CBP regarding the cargo exports corridor at the Mesa de Otay border crossing to prevent long lines. This is because they tend to create illegal situations, such as immigrants with no documents sheltering themselves in trucks to cross the border.

The Secretary of Economy and Innovation highlighted the wish of Governor Ávila Olmeda of innovating mobility in this area. This is why they invited CBP to collaborate with efforts to establish new ways for Baja Californians to cross such as a passenger trolley from Tijuana to San Ysidro (a similar one used in CBX to cross to the US), and the ferry project between Ensenada and San Diego.

Secretary Zavala stated that the cooperation that is occurring with CBP is part of Marina del Pilar’s commitment with US customs authorities to solve immigratory, security, and order at the border challenges in cooperation.

Video: US hasn’t responded to Russian immigrants