Smart Border Coalition

05/06/2026

Know Before You Go: Food Items That Can and Cannot Enter the U.S.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection is working with the Smart Border Coalition to help educate border crossers, supermarkets, and food-related businesses on which products may or may not be brought across the border. Many cross everyday food items that are restricted or prohibited in order to protect agriculture, public health, and the U.S. food supply. Through clear outreach and practical guidance, this effort aims to reduce confusion, avoid costly fines or delays, and make crossings faster and smoother for everyone.

Always declare all food and agricultural items you are bringing with you to help avoid fines or penalties.

05/06/2026

05/05/2026

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/joaquinluken_2026chamberdelegation-calibaja-tijuanasandiego-ugcPost-7456122822025728000-7gxs?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAFEi8wBNVmhM-wToqe4uS6rC-VyABAcZeM

Great to be in Washington, D.C. this past week with the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce binational delegation, advancing key priorities for the Cali Baja region. We met with Members of Congress, the Senate, and leadership at the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Cust...

02/06/2026

Smart Border Coalition welcomed Alan Bersin for a board-level conversation focused on border governance, security, and binational cooperation.

The discussion highlighted insights from his leadership experience at U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, exploring the evolution of border management, institutional coordination, and the future of smart, secure, and efficient borders.

The exchange reinforced the value of informed dialogue and strategic leadership in shaping policies and practices that strengthen the region and cross-border efficiency.

02/06/2026

Border crossings in CaliBaja continue to show remarkable resilience—a clear testament to the deep interdependence and shared strength of our binational region.

Every day, more than 200,000 legitimate northbound crossings take place across our seven ports of entry, reflecting far more than movement. They power a highly integrated, binational workforce fueling competitive industries on both sides of the border—from hospitality and tourism to manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, innovation, and education. They also reflect shared purchasing power, ways families mitigate cost-of-living pressures, and—most importantly—deep family and community ties that span generations.

This constant flow of people, talent, and ideas is what makes competitive, dynamic, and resilient. Even amid uncertainty, the region keeps moving forward—together.

01/22/2026

We kicked off our first Stakeholder Working Group Meeting of the year with a strong and diverse representation of leaders from both sides of the border—an encouraging signal for the year ahead.

We heard timely insights from Kenn Morris on the Ferromex–U.S. Mexico Market Analysis Study, an update on the Binational Trade & Competitiveness Study from Lucas Coleman Director of the World Trade Center San Diego, and a comprehensive stakeholder update from Sidney Aki, Director of Field Operations at U.S. Customs and Border Protection

CBP also highlighted progress on the CaliBaja Student Pilot Program and shared an important regional milestone: Cross Border Xpress is now an Enrollment on Arrival location—another meaningful step forward for trusted travel and regional connectivity.

Thank you to the officials who joined us, including Consul General Christopher Teal and Congressman Gilberto Herrera Solorzano.

To learn more about Smart Border Coalition stakeholder meetings or to sign up for our mailing list, visit https://lnkd.in/dx8cbpCT

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01/05/2026

https://www.10news.com/news/local-news/construction-project-may-cause-traffic-delays-on-i-5-near-san-ysidro-port-of-entry

Work starts tomorrow night - Southbound travelers take precautions and use alternate Otay Mesa POE or consider walking across. Also important. The last US Exit (1A) Camino de La Plata Will remain open. The closed section of Camino de la Plaza will be the off ramp into the port of entry found across the street from the LAZ parking lot.

Motorists heading south on Interstate 5 near the San Ysidro Land Port of Entry will experience significant traffic delays as a $2.7 million construction project begins next week.

11/28/2025

New Sentri access details. Open nfrom 4:00 am to 11:00 pm, every day.

There is an all new entrance on the west side of the San Ysidro border crossing that will greatly reduce travel times for people with SENTRI - Global Entry. ...

11/11/2025

After careful planning and interagency collaboration, today the City of Tijuana and U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced the launch of a new pilot program that will add two additional SENTRI lanes at the San Ysidro Port of Entry, starting Wednesday, November 19th, from 4:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

These new lanes will be accessible via Calle 2da in downtown Tijuana (for reference, near Smart & Final).

This marks a major milestone in cross-border collaboration — a clear example of what happens when coordination meets commitment, and when the cross-border community comes together to improve mobility and quality of life for thousands of daily travelers.

09/19/2025

Check this event! 🌎
UABC's students made a documentary about our border region, and it premieres next week.

🎬✨ La Universidad Autónoma de Baja California te invita a la proyección del documental “Ser Fronterizo: Crónicas de las asimetrías globales”, un espacio para reflexionar sobre identidad, migración y frontera. 🎬

📅 24 de septiembre
🕑 2:00 PM
📍 UABC Unidad Otay – Teatro Universitario Rubén Vizcaíno
🎟️ Entrada libre
Con la participación de:
👤 Hugo José Regalado Jacobo (FEyRI-UABC)
👤 Sarah Soto (Espacio Migrante)
👤 Claudia Edith Reyna Monjaraz (Comunidad Estudiantil Fronteriza)
Modera: 🎥 Raúl Azviaury Hernández, director del documental.
¡No faltes a este encuentro de voces y miradas en torno a la experiencia fronteriza! 🌎✨

09/08/2025

Honrados de haber celebrado nuestra reunión mensual de la mesa directiva en el Consulado General de EE. UU. en Tijuana. 🇺🇸🇲🇽