**BREAKING NEWS ALERT**

BREAKING NEWS ALERT

HEADLINE: U.S. Customs and Border Protection Issues Urgent Memorial Day Travel Warning; Cites “Unprecedented” Congestion and Enforcement Surge

LOCATION: Washington, D.C. (Ports of Entry Nationwide)

DATE: May 23, 2025

EVENT: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a formal, high-priority travel advisory for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend.

WHO: The advisory, signed by Acting CBP Commissioner Troy A. Miller, targets all international travelers—both U.S. citizens and foreign nationals—planning to cross land borders, arrive at international airports, or enter via seaports between Friday, May 23, and Monday, May 26.

WHAT: The CBP warns of “prolonged and historic” wait times at the nation’s busiest ports of entry. The agency attributes this to a forecasted surge in vehicle and pedestrian traffic that is expected to exceed pre-pandemic 2019 levels by 12%. The warning further stipulates that travelers should be prepared for “enhanced agricultural and immigration enforcement.” This includes secondary inspections for all non-commercial vehicles, digital device checks at the border, and strict enforcement of the “Trusted Traveler Programs” lane restrictions.

WHERE: The warning is most critical for the Southwest land border crossings, specifically San Ysidro and Otay Mesa in California, and El Paso and Brownsville in Texas. Major international airports, including Los Angeles (LAX), New York (JFK), Miami (MIA), and Chicago (ORD), are also flagged for extended screening delays.

WHEN: The highest impact is expected between 2:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. local time on Friday, May 23, and again throughout the day on Monday, May 26.

WHY: CBP officials state the warning is a