Recently, the Biden Administration ended a policy that turned away asylum seekers at the US-Mexico border. In response, Texas Governor Greg Abbott introduced a mandate that requires all delivery vehicles crossing the border to undergo additional screening by state troopers. This decision has faced criticism from shipping workers on both sides of the border due to increased searches causing traffic congestion and delays in delivering essential goods.
The CEO of the Texas International Produce Association, Dante L. Galeazzi, expressed concern in a letter to Abbott, highlighting the disruptive impact on the supply chain and the potential shortage of fresh produce on store shelves in the state. He emphasized the significance of trade for Texan employment and economy, citing a Texas A&M study that showed the economic benefits of fresh produce from Mexico.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection criticized the state inspections mandated by Gov. Greg Abbott as “unnecessary,” noting a 60% decrease in commercial traffic at the Texas-Mexico border since their implementation. https://t.co/DKF6HvUgKK
— Texas Tribune (@TexasTribune) April 13, 2022
Lance Jungmeyer, President of the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas, echoed these concerns in a separate letter to Abbott, highlighting the significant delays caused by the additional inspections without a proportional increase in border security.
Recently, Mexican truckers staged a blockade on the Mexican side of the border to protest Abbott’s mandate. As of now, the blockade remains in place, with no response from Abbott regarding the grievances raised.
