US, Mexico border agencies coordinate ahead of World Cup [WATCH]

SAN DIEGO: United States and Mexican border authorities are working together to prepare for increased cross-border movement during the 2026 Fifa World Cup.

US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Director of Field Operations for San Diego, Sidney Aki, said the agency was already working with the Mexican government to manage movement through ports of entry.

The tournament will be jointly hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada, making cross-border travel a key part of tournament logistics for some teams, officials and football fans.

Aki said San Diego was expected to see some of that movement, especially as travellers move between the US and Mexico for matches or related activities.

Aki said both countries understood that border security was a shared responsibility, especially with the World Cup placing added attention on travel between the two countries.

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“Obviously, this is a legal port of entry. A lot of the movement, with regard to cross-border travel, will be utilised through here in San Diego.

“We understand our responsibility. This is a shared border. This is both our countries’ border, and that is a huge responsibility for both countries to ensure that we are doing the best to keep people safe,” he said during a briefing with foreign journalists in San Ysidro.

He said once individuals linked to the tournament, including players or officials, were identified, information would be shared with CBP to allow checks to be conducted before they entered the US.

“That information will then be fed to us. We will conduct our background checks, and then, of course, assist with efficient processing of these individuals entering the US, as well as them going to Mexico,” he said.

Aki said while he did not have an estimate on the expected increase in travellers, CBP was prepared to manage higher volumes because San Diego ports of entry already handled large numbers of people daily.

He said CBP relied on several layers of screening, including X-ray systems, canine units, officer interviews and border technology, to keep crossings secure while allowing lawful movement to continue.

“The more secure we are, the more emphasis we place on security, the more efficient we are with regard to lawful trade and lawful travel into the US,” he added.

The San Diego-Tijuana border region is home to the San Ysidro Port of Entry, which is one of the busiest land border crossing in the world.

Note: The writer is in the United States for a reporting tour on the country’s customs and border security system, organised by the US Department of State’s Foreign Press Centre. The briefing in San Diego was part of the programme.

© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd

المصدر: New Straits Times