According to various news reports, dozens of asylum-seeking migrants are trying to cross through car lanes at U.S. border points, seriously disrupting traffic flow and provoking long delays.
USA Today reported that lane closures caused by these incidents over the Thanksgiving holiday meant that some people had to wait up to 11 hours to drive back across the border into the United States.
Crossing points most affected have been the Deconcini and Mariposa ports in Nogales and the Raul Castro port in Douglas, the newspaper said. The lane closures are set to continue until further notice, so more delays can be expected, especially in Nogales and Douglas.
Human rights organizations say many of the migrants are desperate after being given asylum appointments far into the future – some in more than 12 months’ time.