COVID-19 Border Restriction

Update 6/6/2021

US/Mexican border “essential only” travel extended through June 21, 2021.

Every month, the restrictions are reevaluated. With the number of people getting vaccinated increases daily, there are hopes to ease the restrictions after June 21.

Update 1/24/2021

Chad Wolfe, the former Secretary of DHS is no longer updating the border restrictions. But today we received notice from CBP that the temporary restriction on non-essential travel into the United States remains in effect. They did not list a time period to re-evaluate this “restriction”. Unlike previous updates from Chad Wolfe, it also appears that the restriction is on Mexican tourists coming into the United States – not southbound citizens going to Mexico, as their image that accompanies the message states clearly “Essential Travel Into The United States.” See for yourself below.

CBP Border Restriction Update 2021-01-24

Update 12/11/2020

Chad Wolfe, acting Secretary of DHS has extended the border restriction again but this time he also gives a sign of hope, by referring to the vaccine and potential to revisit the restriction “early new year”.

Examples of Essential Travel

U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents returning to the United States
Individuals traveling for medical purposes
Individuals traveling to attend educational institutions
Individuals traveling to work in the United States (individuals working in the farming or agriculture industry who must travel between the U.S. and Mexico to work)
Individuals traveling for emergency response and public health purposes (government officials or emergency responders entering the U.S. to support Federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial government efforts to respond to COVID-19 or other emergencies)
Individuals engaged in lawful cross-border trade (truck drivers supporting the movement of cargo between the U.S. and Mexico)
Individuals engaged in official government travel or diplomatic travel
Members of the U.S. Armed Forces, and the spouses and children of members of the U.S. Armed Forces, returning to the United States
Individuals engaged in military-related travel or operations.

Examples of those who are exempt from “non-essential”

citizens returning to their home countries
Essential cross-border workers
Essential trade workers (truck drivers, busses and airlines crews)

Update 11/19/2020

Again! Chad Wolfe, the acting Secretary of Homeland Security has extended the travel restrictions. Here is his tweet from 11/19/20 at 12:30pm pst. Please read further down the examples of Essential Travel.

Mexico border restrictions are extended to December 21, 2020

Examples of Essential Travel

U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents returning to the United States
Individuals traveling for medical purposes
Individuals traveling to attend educational institutions
Individuals traveling to work in the United States (individuals working in the farming or agriculture industry who must travel between the U.S. and Mexico to work)
Individuals traveling for emergency response and public health purposes (government officials or emergency responders entering the U.S. to support Federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial government efforts to respond to COVID-19 or other emergencies)
Individuals engaged in lawful cross-border trade (truck drivers supporting the movement of cargo between the U.S. and Mexico)
Individuals engaged in official government travel or diplomatic travel
Members of the U.S. Armed Forces, and the spouses and children of members of the U.S. Armed Forces, returning to the United States
Individuals engaged in military-related travel or operations.

Update 10/20/20

Once again, the border restriction has been extended due to COVID-19. According to Chad Wolfe, acting Secretary of the Homeland Security, the three countries including Canada are working to re-open soon.

Chad Wolf 2020-10 Tweet — Chad Wolf of DHS Announces Border Restriction Extension to November

Examples of those who are exempt from “non-essential”

citizens returning to their home countries
Essential cross-border workers
Essential trade workers (truck drivers, busses and airlines crews)

Update 9/19/2020

The United States and Mexico federal governments extended the agreements to keep the southern U.S. borders limited to essential travel for another 30 days, potentially to October 21, 2020.

“We continue to work with our Canadian and Mexican partners to slow the spread of #COVID19. Accordingly, we have agreed to extend the limitation of non-essential travel at our shared land ports of entry through October 21,” Wolf wrote.
Chad Wolf, U.S. Homeland Security Department Secretary 9/18/2020

Border Restrictions Extended to Potentially 10/21/2020

Examples of those who are exempt from “non-essential”

citizens returning to their home countries
Essential cross-border workers
Essential trade workers (truck drivers, busses and airlines crews)

tijuana border crossing — Tijuana Border Crossing

Update 6/5/2020

South of Texas (Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, Tamaulipas): We have a report from Central Mexico (“Mexico Mike Nelson“) that traffic is flowing again. They will check your temperature at entrances to the towns, and it is not recommended that you go into the small villages at this time.

South of Arizona (Sonora): Nothing yet. Essential business strictly enforced.

South of California (Baja): If you own a home or property in Mexico, or have a lease you should bring it. They will check your temperature as you enter towns. The northbound border crossing is long waits – plan accordingly.

U.S.-Mexico Border Travel Restriction due to COVID-19
Yesterday (5/19/20), the Trump administration announced that travel through ports of entry along the U.S.-Mexico border will remain restricted to essential travel.