**Security Filter to Launch Only in Sentri Lanes at San Ysidro This Thursday**
Starting this Thursday, a new security filter will be implemented at the San Ysidro border crossing, but initially, it will only be for the Sentri lanes. The primary goal of this initiative is to enhance security for motorists and pedestrians crossing from Mexico into the United States.
Pedro Montejo Peterson, the head of the Economic Development Secretariat of Tijuana, announced plans for hiring private security personnel by January. This recruitment will be funded through medical pass revenues and the “Tijuana funds” collected in the first quarter of 2025. The security filter is a part of a broader program aiming to modernize and improve security at the San Ysidro and Otay border crossings.
The implementation on the Sentri lanes is the first step, with similar measures planned for the Otay border crossing next week. Over time, the filters will be extended to all lanes at both crossings. These filters are designed to identify individuals without documentation attempting to reach inspection booths to request humanitarian asylum.
Personnel from the National Migration Institute will manage these security filters, verifying documents, while members of the National Guard and Tijuana police ensure the operation’s safety. This new approach will allow Customs and Border Protection (CBP) staff, who currently perform these checks, to be moved to inspection booths, thereby opening more access lanes and reducing traffic congestion in the border’s vicinity.
**Secondary Article**
**Tijuana Set to Bolster Border Security with Additional Measures**
In response to increasing cross-border activity, Tijuana officials have planned several enhancements to strengthen security and reduce wait times at the border crossings. Aside from the Sentri lane security filters set to begin this week, other initiatives are in the pipeline to facilitate smoother movement between Mexico and the United States.
The upcoming deployment of private security not only aims to streamline the crossing process but also to address safety concerns for those traveling across the border. The aim is to ensure that each individual crossing is thoroughly documented, while minimizing disruptions caused by undocumented entries.
The city’s administration is also focusing on leveraging technology to keep the border crossings efficient and secure. These measures are expected to come into full effect by early next year, as Tijuana ramps up efforts to better manage the growing flow of traffic and enhance cross-border relations.
With improving economic ties as a crucial priority, these security initiatives are a step forward in modernizing border operations, facilitating legitimate travel, and fostering stronger international collaboration.