Over $190 million headed to Calexico Port of Entry

A part of President Donald Trump’s border security agreement brought over $190 million in allocated funds to the Calexico West Land Port of Entry.

While the first phase of the expansion project of the Calexico West Port of Entry has finished, county officials were unsure where they were going to get funding for the next phase of the project.

According to county officials, over 25,000 pedestrians and motorists cross the port of entry daily from Mexico to shop and conduct business in the valley.

District Supervisor, Jesus Escobar said, “So what we need to do is use these infrastructure dollars to make the border safer and much more effective. So that people that are crossing the border legally can spend their dollars here and improve our local economies.”

Additional inspections lanes will be added which will decrease the congested traffic at the port of entry.

“If the border wait times continue to drag on if the traffic flow is stagnant. Then it’s not going to help but it’s going to hinder,” Escobar said.

Funds will be used to renovate the pedestrian processing facility which improves wait times.

Calexico Economic Commissioner Ben Horton said, “Sometimes you’re waiting two to three hours on the walkthrough. This will alleviate the pressure of it.”

The possible improvement in the economy means local shop owners can keep their doors open.

Business owner Joong Kim said, “Oh we’re going to have more sales. The economy is going to be improving. The sales tax going to be growing. We’re going to have more benefit earning.”

While the allocated money won’t fund the entire expansion project for the port of entry, county officials are confident with the support of state officials like Rep. Juan Vargas who has already brought in $700 million to border infrastructure.