Border Closures and Migrant Crisis: Impact on Local Economy and Trade

The closure of rail bridges in El Paso and Eagle Pass due to increased border activity has negatively impacted the local economy, particularly businesses heavily reliant on cross-border traffic. Angie Rodriguez, a business owner in Eagle Pass, stated that approximately 60% of her business comes from Mexico, and the decline in traffic has resulted in a quiet downtown area. Rodriguez expressed concern for the humanitarian situation and criticized elected leaders for not finding a satisfactory solution to immigration issues. Border Patrol estimates that over 5,000 migrants crossed the border into Eagle Pass on Monday, significantly higher than usual.