May 10, 2023

More people crossing border at Cochise County ports

Cross-border traffic rebounded after the pandemic.

360 mexico border flag The Mexican flag seen from the Castro Port of Entry in Douglas.
AZPM Staff

Border Crossings entering into Cochise County have continued to bounce back since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic according to data from Cochise Economy, a website that houses regional and economic data for Cochise County.

The COVID-19 pandemic catalyzed international travel restrictions, which affected the flow of foot traffic and vehicle traffic in both ports of entry.

The number of pedestrian crossings coming into the United States through the Douglas Port of Entry have risen by nearly 20% in 2022 in comparison to 2021. In the Naco Port of Entry, that increase is smaller at 13.8%.

In 2020, pedestrian crossings at both ports of entry were down by 38%. During that time, the number of pedestrian crossings were at their lowest at the Douglas Port of Entry since 2004. In that same period, the levels at the Naco port were the lowest ever recorded; records for the Naco port date back to 1996.

Vehicle crossings were up at the Douglas port in 2022, with a 41.7% increase; in 2021, the increase at that port was only 30%.

In 2020, there was a 44% decline in vehicle crossings at the Douglas Port.

At the Naco port in 2022, vehicle crossings were up 34.5% in comparison to 2021, when the increase was 22.5%. In the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a 42% decline in vehicle crossings in Naco.

These increases come ahead of the expiration of Title 42 this week.

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