The Santa Teresa Port of Entry may undergo significant expansion following the release of findings from a federal feasibility study last week.
Presented by the General Services Administration and the Customs and Border Protection department, the study outlines a vision to enlarge the port to fifteen commercial lanes (from the current three) and eleven passenger lanes from Mexico, along with five southbound lanes and expanded inspection bays for commercial trucks.
Should the project receive prioritization and funding, it could elevate Santa Teresa to one of the largest ports of entry along the U.S.-Mexico border, surpassing its current size by more than threefold.
Funding for the study, secured in 2022 by U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, underscores the strategic significance of Santa Teresa as a pivotal facilitator of international trade, particularly with Mexico. Sen. Heinrich emphasized the critical role of Santa Teresa in bolstering U.S. supply chains, fostering domestic production, and enhancing economic prosperity for New Mexicans and Americans alike.
Situated approximately 40 miles south of Las Cruces and in close proximity to downtown El Paso, Texas, the Santa Teresa Port of Entry serves as a vital conduit for commuter traffic to and from Ciudad Juárez. Operating seven days a week, it has emerged as an alternative entry point for motorists amid congestion in El Paso. Recent state investments in infrastructure and economic development, capitalizing on Santa Teresa’s open space, rail accessibility, and proximity to a county airport, underscore its strategic importance.
Unlike many other ports of entry constrained by surrounding development, Santa Teresa possesses ample room for expansion, as noted by Sen. Heinrich. He emphasized the port’s potential for fostering increased trade with Mexico, reaffirming its status as a strategic nexus for commerce with the nation’s largest trading partner.
Jerry Pacheco, president of the Border Industrial Association, highlighted Santa Teresa’s evolution from a link to Mexican maquiladoras to a burgeoning logistical and industrial center in New Mexico. This transformation has attracted billions of dollars in investment and generated high-quality employment opportunities.
While expansion efforts are underway, including substantial investments on both sides of the border, Pacheco stressed the necessity for further expansion to sustain progress.
Amid heightened concerns over border security, Sen. Heinrich underscored the pivotal role of ports of entry in national security efforts, particularly in intercepting illegal narcotics. The 2024 appropriations bill allocates federal funding to address various needs in New Mexico’s border counties, recognizing the added challenges they face.
However, both Sen. Heinrich and Pacheco emphasized that expansion and technological upgrades alone cannot address the issue of understaffing at ports of entry. Highlighting the stalled progress on a bipartisan immigration and border security package, they stressed the imperative of bolstering personnel to effectively manage expanded facilities and ensure border security.
Article Source:
Study outlines major expansion of Santa Teresa Port of Entry | Las Cruces Bulletin
