Big Bend to get informal US-Mexico border crossing

WILL WEISSERT / Associated Press
Posted: 01/06/2011 04:42:24 PM MST

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (AP) - The U.S. has approved a plan to allow informal crossings between American and Mexican territories inside remote Big Bend National Park.

Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Alan Bersin visited Big Bend on Thursday and said construction on a crossing through Boquillas Canyon, which encompasses part of the park and Mexican protected lands, would begin in July.

He said the first boat carrying people back and forth is set to start crossing the Rio Grande in April 2012.

The crossing will not have customs but will require Americans to show passports to immigrations officials. Mexicans crossing must have U.S. visas.

The U.S. government has warned Americans against traveling to parts of Mexico because of drug violence, but Bersin said violence and illegal immigration are under control in such an isolated area.

http://www.elpasotimes.com/newupdated/ci_17027116