Authorizing Cameron County, Texas, To Construct, Maintain, and Operate a Pedestrian Border Crossing at the Gateway International Bridge Land Port of Entry

Impact dates

1. Aug 20, 2026Today

   Agencies coordinate with permittee to refine Article 8 conditions

2. Aug 20, 2030

   Permit expires if construction not commenced

Key directives

• Cameron County must provide Donation Acceptance Proposal to CBP Commissioner and GSA Administrator before design activities
• Cameron County must provide modernization plan to GSA Administrator and CBP Commissioner before design activities
• Relevant agencies must coordinate with permittee to refine conditions within 1 year of permit issuance
• Permittee must obtain IBWC concurrence before initiating construction
• Permittee cannot begin construction until State Department completes diplomatic note exchange with Mexico
• Permittee must notify President or designee when construction begins, completes, is interrupted, or discontinued
• Permittee must provide inspection facilities, infrastructure, equipment, and maintenance at no cost to U.S. under DHS/CBP agreements
• Permittee must hold harmless and indemnify U.S. for environmental liabilities
• Permittee must comply with NEPA, Clean Water Act section 402, and all applicable environmental laws
• Permit expires August 20, 2030 if construction not commenced

Who is ordered

• Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection · Department of Homeland Security
• Administrator of General Services · GSA
• Secretary of State · State Department

Timeline

Risks & tensions

• Diplomatic note exchange with Mexico is a potential bottleneck outside U.S. control
• Donation Acceptance Proposal requirement may create fiscal burden for county
• Environmental indemnification clause shifts significant liability to local government
• No staffing obligation from CBP creates risk of operational shortfalls despite infrastructure investment
• Five-year sunset clause creates pressure if permitting or diplomatic delays occur