see also: in August 2008:   CBP in New York Apprehends Suspected Interpol Fugitive   Louisville CBP Finds Heroin in Woman’s Suit   CBP Officers Nab More than $1 Million in Narcotics in 48-hour Period   Philadelphia CBP Seizes $650,000 in Fake Bank Checks   CBP on a Roll Seizing Fake Handbags, Footwear Again in California   Calexico Downtown Port Officers Intercept $100K Narcotic Smuggling Attempt   CBP Outbound Inspection Yields 293 Unreported Ostrich Skins ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers   Texas   New Mexico

contacts for this news release

El Paso, Texas - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials are asking members of the traveling public to plan ahead when trying to cross the border at some area ports of entry.

"People who are used to crossing at anytime day or night at the El Paso port of entry have been disappointed to find that some other area ports close as early as 10 p.m." said Ana Hinojosa, U.S. Customs and Border Protection director of field operations in El Paso. "We want to help people save time and gas money by reminding them to plan ahead if their travels take them to some of the outlying area border crossings."

The Columbus, Presidio and El Paso ports of entry are open 24 hours a day with the only exception being the Stanton DCL crossing in El Paso (6 a.m. until midnight). However the Santa Teresa, Fabens and Fort Hancock ports of entry are operational 16 hours a day, opening at 6 a.m. and closing at 10 p.m. The remote Antelope Wells crossing in the New Mexico boot heel is open from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.

"We will do all we can to accommodate those arriving at normal closing times however border crossers would be best served to build enough time into their trips to ensure arrival before these long standing closing times," said Hinojosa. "It would be less inconvenient to leave and arrive early than making the trip late and finding the border crossing closed when you eventually arrive."

CBP is working with their Mexican counterparts at non 24-hour locations to regulate the flow of northbound traffic as port closing times approach. CBP is sending this reminder now as a proactive approach to help travelers who are now using the outlying Santa Teresa and Fabens crossings in an attempt to avoid construction related traffic at the downtown Paso Del Norte crossing as well as heavy traffic at other El Paso crossing points.

Additional information on ports of entry in Texas and New Mexico can be found on the Ports page on the CBP.gov website. ( Texas ) ( New Mexico )

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.