When you think of the men and women who work at the ports of entry for the Office of Field Operations, you may wonder what connection they’d have with a popular tourist attraction in the valley?
It literally draws in thousands of visitors each year, especially during peak Winter Texan months.
Welcome to the Los Ebanos crossing featuring the only remaining hand-pulled ferry on the U.S.-Mexico border.
Although this official crossing looks entirely different than those in Hidalgo or Brownsville officers conduct the same type of operations as in large scale port of entry but of course at a much slower pace.
“The big difference as you can see back here, only three vehicles can come over at a time,” said Leopoldo Reye Assitant Port Director at the Rio Grande City Port of Entry. “As far as the technology for fast and all that, we'll that is as fast as it is going to get!”
That's right, the ferry accommodates only three cars and 12 pedestrians at one time but there are some changes on the horizon.
For years officers have worked at a small inspection station but in the next year a new inspection station will be constructed at this site, this artist rendition provides a first look at what is long overdue according to officials there.
“We've been waiting for 10 years and now this next year that it's going to be ongoing… we can't wait for January 2013 to come around,” said Reyes.
Until then, officers will maintain daily operations they said are unlike any other port of entry.
The Los Ebanos crossing is also known locally as Los Ebanos-San Miguel Camargo and Ferry Díaz Ordaz-Los Ebanos.
Although the crossing has been in operation since the 1950s, the current ferry has been operating since 1979 and was recognized with a state historical marker in 1975.
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