The Intermodal Association of North America (IANA), supports the Association of American Railroads' (AAR) position urging the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CPB) to promptly reinstate rail operations at the international crossings of Eagle Pass and El Paso, TX. 

“As evidenced during the recent pandemic, any single impediment to the movement of cargo reverberates throughout the entire supply chain,” said the December 19 statement from IANA, which represents more than 1,000 intermodal freight transportation providers and suppliers including the Class 1 railroads. “The prolonged closure of these pivotal transit routes for goods disrupts the equilibrium that is indispensable to the smooth functioning of the freight supply chain.”

Read More: Railroads Urge Border Officials to Reopen U.S.-Mexico Crossings

"While acknowledging the ongoing border issues,” said Joni Casey, president and CEO of IANA, “it is imperative that the flow of freight remains unencumbered throughout these challenges. The reopening of these border crossings is vital to reinstating the essential flow of trade between the U.S. and Mexico.”