San Luis, Arizona — The San Luis Rio Colorado Customs Port of Entry will reestablish 24-hour operations beginning Monday, December 27, 2021, after months of limited hours for entry into Mexico.
In an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 between border communities, the San Luis Rio Colorado Mexican Customs Port reduced hours of operations back in April of 2020. Southbound crossing was closed to pedestrians and vehicular traffic from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am, citing a major drop in cross-border travel.
For months, local and state stakeholders petitioned the United States Department of Homeland Security to reinstate non-essential travel for non-citizens into the United States. As the U.S. began easing restrictions in early November, evening crossing restrictions continued at the San Luis Rio Colorado Port.
Earlier this month, during a regional stakeholder meeting, City of San Luis Leadership, which included Mayor Gerardo Sanchez, Council Member Matias Rosales, and Acting City Administrator Lizandro Galaviz, expressed the growing negative sentiment constituents felt due to the limited hours of operation for entry into Mexico. At the meeting, it was determined that it was urgent for Mexico to return to 24-hour operations to help meet the needs of the agricultural sector, resolve the growth in traffic, and help address growing public safety concerns. A letter was sent to the Director General of Customs, referring to many of the negative impacts it is having on the community and the region.
“I am thrilled that 24-hour operations will be reestablished at the San Luis Rio Colorado Port. This will greatly benefit the binational community and the region,” stated Mayor Gerardo Sanchez. “I am very grateful for the efforts and support of our local stakeholders from both sides of the border,” he added.
For more information about this topic, or to schedule a meeting with the City of San Luis Public Affairs Office, please call us (928) 341-8520 or email us at publicrelations@sanluisaz.gov