CBP to allow Mexican students, parents to cross border for UTEP commencement

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- UTEP has announced that it reached an agreement with U.S. Customs and Border Protection that would allow upcoming graduates and their parents to cross into the U.S. for the school's commencement ceremonies.

The school said in a statement that it is still ironing out the exact details with CBP, and more guidance would be released soon. These travel waivers would apply to members of the graduating classes of 2020 and Spring/Summer 2021.

Pandemic-related border crossing restrictions have been in place since March of 2020. These restrictions are set to remain in place until at least May 21. The commencement ceremonies will be on Friday, May 14 and Saturday May 15.

“As America’s leading Hispanic-serving university, UTEP serves students in a binational and bicultural region, and we have approximately 1,000 international students from Mexico,” UTEP President Heather Wilson said in the statement. “Commencement is a very important milestone for all of us, most importantly for our students and their families, since it represents a celebration of their collective efforts and sacrifices. We are grateful to our partners at the CBP, especially Director of Field Operations Hector Mancha, for working with us."

The travel restrictions waiver will not be offered to those with expired travel documents, siblings, or extended family members.