### San Ysidro to Tijuana Border Crossing Times Regularized
The wait times for crossing the San Ysidro pedestrian border into Tijuana have been regularized, according to Kurt Honold Morales, the head of the Secretariat of Economy and Innovation of Baja California. The adjustments come after the Secretariat of Governance requested the National Institute of Migration (INM) to expedite the crossing process and streamline logistics. Additional lines for pedestrian entry into Tijuana have also been introduced.
Honold Morales confirmed that a meeting was held with Jorge Alejandro Palau Hernández, the acting head of INM, where they discussed the border dynamics and ensured that the measures implemented would not negatively impact regular crossers. The majority of daily crossers are individuals who live in Tijuana and work in the United States, and these changes have primarily affected them, as well as those traveling to Tijuana for medical care or visiting family.
The state government will launch campaigns to inform foreigners about the new fee for staying more than seven days in Mexico, which currently stands at 717 pesos for non-activity-related visits. The INM emphasized that under Article 34 of the Migration Law, foreign visitors have specific entry obligations.
### Secondary Article: Increased Border Security Measures Result in Longer Wait Times
Recent reports have highlighted that new inspection protocols at the San Ysidro to Tijuana border have surprised many travelers, resulting in longer wait times. According to frequent crossers, waits of at least an hour have been reported due to these enhanced security checks.
Additionally, there has been a crackdown on the illegal sale of medical passes, which are being sold for more than $150. This has implicated several operations and resulted in longer lines and further scrutiny at the checkpoints.
Tourism in Tijuana is gradually recovering, having suffered a 40% decline, partly due to these increased border security measures. The local Chamber of Commerce (Canaco Servytur) has stated that these long wait times and stringent checks could negatively impact the local economy. They have requested the governor to address the issue to ensure that the crossing process is efficient while maintaining necessary security standards.
Concern is also growing over the potential negative impact on the medical tourism sector, which significantly contributes to Tijuana’s economy. The local government continues to work on solutions to balance security and facilitate smoother, faster crossings for legitimate travelers.