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U.S. Shutdown Deepens: Border Waits Grow, Flights Disrupted, First Forced Layoffs Begin

A prolonged funding lapse is triggering staff cuts that slow border processing, straining air travel.

Overview

  • Reduced CBP staffing is producing multi‑hour queues at key ports of entry, reaching up to six hours at Ciudad JuárezEl Paso and about four hours at San Ysidro.
  • Freight flows are slowing at one of the busiest corridors, with roughly 3,800 trucks a day affected on the Ciudad JuárezEl Paso route, increasing logistics costs.
  • Consultants warn of mounting supply‑chain risks, with perishable inventories particularly exposed to prolonged border delays.
  • The U.S. Embassy in Mexico has adjusted operations and limited social‑media updates to urgent alerts, cautioning that some consular services may experience delays.
  • Aviation strain is rising as DOT warns air traffic controllers who skip shifts could lose their jobs, airlines report growing delays, and OMB says forced staff reductions have begun while negotiations remain stalled.