US Border Crossing Closure Challenged Under Environmental Treaty

A Mexican business coalition filed a complaint accusing the United States of violating a four-decade-old environmental treaty by failing to assess cross-border air-quality impacts before deciding to close a major commercial crossing between El Paso, Texas, and Juarez, Chihuahua. The filing argues that the closure will reroute tens of thousands of cargo trucks through neighborhoods already exposed to high levels of pollution.

The complaint, submitted to the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC), which oversees environmental issues under USMCA, was presented by the National Importers and Exporters Association of Mexico - Chihuahua Section (ANIERM). 

According to the filing, the US General Services Administration plans to permanently close commercial operations at the Córdova–Américas bridge between beginning in May 2026, redirecting more than 40,000 annual truck crossings primarily to Zaragoza–Ysleta, located about 19km away. Zaragoza–Ysleta already handles 67% of the region’s commercial truck traffic.

Petitioners argue the additional vehicles will increase pollution in densely populated Mexican neighborhoods south of the crossing and say the US environmental review did not consider cross-border effects, even though the bilateral agreement requires both governments to evaluate and mitigate environmental impacts within the 100km border zone.

Marcelo Vázquez, ANIERM’s Representative in Juarez, said the organization is seeking to prevent the closure and warned the annual rerouting of approximately 190,000 trucks could increase congestion and related emissions in nearby residential areas. He said the CEC formally opened the case after accepting ANIERM’s petition.

Vázquez said the United States argued the trilateral agency should intervene and prompt the US Environmental Protection Agency to review the decision again. “In ANIERM we have not given up. We continue looking for all possible resources to avoid the closure of the cargo crossing on the Córdova–Américas bridge” he said.

The group said it is also communicating with Mexico’s federal Ministry of Economy. The CEC has posted the petition publicly and will provide updates as the process advances. The Commission is a trilateral body under the USMCA focused on environmental coordination among Mexico, the United States and Canada.