Smart Border Coalition - Insights Newsletter August/September

August/September 2025

SBC Stakeholder Working Group Meeting

Hosted by: ITJ

The Smart Border Coalition held its Stakeholder Working Group meeting at ITJ, bringing together public and private leaders from both sides of the border to exchange updates and ideas on improving mobility, data sharing, and coordination in the CaliBaja region.

Presentations included:

Edna Patricia Hernández (ITJ) Highlighting ITJ’s innovative business model and the strength of Tijuana’s tech talent in powering software for world-class companies.
Ing. Pedro Montejo Peterson, Secretary of Economic Development of Tijuana (SEDETI), provided an update on modernization efforts at the Tijuana border and shared survey findings on traffic and mobility trends.
Guillermo Flores, National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), presented key national and local data, highlighting Tijuana’s economic relevance and the impact of international travelers on the region.

Notable guests included Mariza Marin, Port Director for U.S. Customs and Border Protection at San Ysidro, and Christopher Teal, U.S. Consul General in Tijuana, who emphasized the importance of continued binational collaboration and dialogue to strengthen cross-border efficiency and security.

The discussion reinforced the Coalition’s mission to promote data-driven cooperation and public-private partnerships that enhance mobility, safety, and economic opportunity along our shared border.

The Smart Border Coalition thanks ITJ for their hospitality and support in hosting this meeting.

Smart Border Coalition - Board of Directors Meeting
Hosted by: Consul General Christopher Teal

The Smart Border Coalition held its September Board of Directors meeting at the U.S. Consulate General in Tijuana, graciously hosted by Consul General Christopher Teal. The Board paid posthumous tribute to Mr. Salomón Cohen, honoring his legacy of binational leadership and dedication to the region.

Members also reviewed key border issues related to security, transparency, and efficiency; discussed tourism trends, the recent I-94 fee increase, and cross-border academic collaboration with UC San Diego; and highlighted binational infrastructure priorities such as Otay Mesa East POE, reaffirming the need for continued coordination and cooperation between both sides of the border.

Strengthening Border Partnerships:

SBC Welcomes CBP EAC Diane Sabatino to CBX

Hosted by: Cross Border Xpress

The Smart Border Coalition hosted Diane J. Sabatino, Executive Assistant Commissioner for the Office of Field Operations at U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), for a roundtable discussion at Cross Border Xpress (CBX) with regional leaders from both sides of the border.

The discussion centered on technology, staffing, and infrastructure investments shaping the future of border management. CBP highlighted over $700 million in new investments in Non-Intrusive Inspection systems, Artificial Intelligence applications, and mobile processing platforms to improve efficiency and security at ports of entry. Updates also included plans to use biometrics for I-94 permit processing, new pre-arrival data initiatives, and workforce planning to address the agency’s upcoming “Great Retirement” in 2028.

We discussed the importance of legislative support under H.R.1, which is expected to strengthen staffing and operations, and reaffirmed the regional priority of completing the Otay Mesa East / SR-11 Port of Entry to enhance trade, predictability, and throughput. The Coalition also raised concern over the recent I-94 fee increase and its potential impact on tourism and cross-border mobility.

The meeting brought together key regional stakeholders, including representatives from SANDAG, the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, Tijuana EDC, CDT Tijuana, and UC San Diego, as well as CBP San Diego leadership and SBC Board Members.

The session concluded with an exclusive, in-depth tour of CBX operations led by CBP leadership and CBX CEO Jorge Goytortúa, Edouard Piquet and Juan Carlos Rivas, where participants observed firsthand how technology and coordination continue to make CBX a model for modern cross-border travel.

Special thanks to CBX and CEO Jorge Goytortúa and the CBX team for their hospitality and partnership in hosting this important visit.

Strengthening Trade at the Border: Roundtable with CBP’s Susan Thomas

Hosted by: San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG)

The Smart Border Coalition co-hosted a trade roundtable with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) leadership, including Susan Thomas, Executive Assistant Commissioner, Office of Trade, and Dina Amato, Deputy Executive Director, Cargo and Conveyance Security, Office of Field Operations (OFO), to discuss key challenges and opportunities impacting the CaliBaja region’s trade corridor.

The conversation focused on trucking industry challenges, stronger collaboration with Mexican customs, and strategies to improve efficiency, security, and regional competitiveness at our ports of entry.

The event was co-hosted by the Otay Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Nelson Balido of the Border Commerce and Security Council—local business leaders participated to reinforce cross-border cooperation and advance a more resilient and coordinated trade ecosystem.

SBC extends its appreciation to SANDAG CEO Mario Orso and the SANDAG team for their hospitality in hosting this meeting.

SR-11 & Siempre Viva Interchange Opening Ceremony

Great news for the CaliBaja region! The new Siempre Viva bridge—connecting SR-11 to Highway 905 and key logistics corridors in Otay Mesa—is now open. This is not just another road project… it’s the final puzzle piece that will unlock the future Otay Mesa East Port of Entry.

By completing this segment of SR-11, our region is moving full speed toward:

Shorter border wait times
More efficient freight movement
Stronger binational competitiveness
Smarter, tech-enabled border crossings

Celebrating Mexican Independence Day at UC San Diego Park & Market

Smart Border Coalition was honored to join the Mexican Independence Day celebration hosted at UC San Diego Park & Market and organized by the Consulate of Mexico in San Diego. The event showcased the cultural richness and strong cross-border ties that define our region.

We extend our sincere appreciation to Ambassador Alicia Kerber Palma for her leadership and continued partnership in strengthening binational collaboration. Her support helps advance many initiatives that align with our mission of a more connected and competitive CaliBaja region.

Spotlight: The Border Masters Podcast

Looking for fresh perspectives on the U.S.–Mexico border? The Border Masters podcast features in-depth conversations with leaders driving innovation in our region.

We’re proud that two Smart Border Coalition board members have been guests:

Jorge Goytortúa, CEO of Cross Border Xpress (CBX)
Hank Morton, CEO of Baja Bound Insurance

Their episodes offer valuable insights on binational collaboration and border infrastructure.

We invite you to download and listen to their episodes—and explore the series!

CBP releases further details on biometrics for vehicle crossings

Border as Backbone:

The Power of U.S.–Mexico Connectivity

While crossings along the world's largest 5,500-mile U.S.–Canada border have fallen 24%, the U.S.–Mexico border remains remarkably strong, with over 520,000 people crossing daily through just 47 ports of entry, down only 2% from last year.

In the Cali Baja region alone, nearly 198,000 daily crossings fuel shared industries, workforce mobility, tourism, and family ties. These numbers tell a clear story: the United States and Mexico are deeply interdependent—economically, socially, and culturally. Our supply chains are integrated, our communities are connected, and North America’s competitiveness depends on collaboration.