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Pandemic, Travel Restrictions Cause Traffic Bottlenecks At U.S.-Mexico Border

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A Trump administration crackdown on nonessential travel coming from Mexico amid the coronavirus pandemic has created massive bottlenecks at the border.

Drivers have reported waits of up to 10 hours to get into the U-S. U-S citizens and legal residents can’t be denied entry under a partial travel ban the government introduced in March to prevent the spread of the virus. But Customs and Border Protection is shifting resources to create longer waits on the weekends when nonessential travel is heavy. Going to work, school and medical appointments are deemed essential, but going to shop, dine or socialize isn’t.