Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller this week called on Governor Greg Abbott to cease his truck inspection project, calling it a catastrophic policy which has led to Mexican truckers blockading the border.
Truckers have reportedly blocked the northbound lanes to the Pharr International Bridge, forcing all commercial traffic to be diverted to other ports of entry. Some traffic is being rerouted to nearly 20 miles away to Nogales, AZ.
The additional wait time of eight to twelve hours have resulted in trucks running out of fuel and produce rotting due to the lengthy inspection delays, Miller said.
“Up to 20,000 truckers cross the border on a normal day. My reports are that each inspection is taking an hour and has created a backlog with thousands of trucks clogging the border. Refrigerated produce is being ruined as trucks run out of fuel after being in line for over a day,” Miller commented.
Miller has proposed a shift in state resources to known corridors of illegal immigration into Texas, as well as fighting the Biden administration in federal court.
“You cannot solve a border crisis by creating another crisis at the border. These Level 1 inspections serve as a ‘clog in the drain’ and divert commerce and jobs to more western ports of entry.”
