On Monday, Sept. 12, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency (CPB) announced that they are seeking ‘public input’ in regards to the border walls adjacent to Friendship Park.
Friendship Park, which is directly on the U.S.-Mexico border, is widely considered as the most important cultural location along the border. The park previously served as the only authorized place people on opposite sides of the border could converse and touch fingertips. The ability for family and friends to reunite on either side of the wall has been eroded over the years and is now threatened entirely.
The fate of Friendship Park is uncertain as the CBP has plans to replace the current wall with new, 30-foot-tall fences.
The proposed fences would severely limit the visibility between the two sides of the border, and people on the U.S. would not have the ability to approach the wall like they previously could.
Upon hearing the plans to improve the walls, both advocates of the park and elected officials pushed back on the CPB’s proposal.
Seth David Clark, a longtime member of the Friends of Friendship park and a reverend at the Border Church, spoke on what the Friends of Friendship Park would like to see happen with the border walls:
“What we have been saying is no 30-foot walls, and instead, just improving the existing 18-foot walls, as well as other things, including making sure the park is open again, since it hasn’t been open since 2020.”
Reverend Clark explained that Friendship Park has remained closed since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, and since COVID regulations have decreased, the CBP now cites ‘staffing issues’ as the reason for the park’s prolonged closure.
In response to the public’s concerns, the CPB announced that they are now entering a 30-day public input period, where citizens are encouraged to voice their concerns and demands for the border walls at Friendship Park.
The public input period began on Sept. 12, and is open until Oct. 12.
According to Paul Enriquez, the CPB’s Deputy Director of Infrastructure, the border wall needed repairs:
“The CBP plans to replace approximately 0.6 miles of deteriorated primary and secondary barrier adjacent to Friendship Circle in the San Diego Sector. The primary barrier, which included a monument gate, was not properly treated to withstand marine corrosion before it was installed. While it has been temporarily repaired, it is not structurally sound, resulting in safety risks to Border Patrol agents, community members, and migrants.”
While there may be legitimate safety concerns with sections along the border wall, advocates of the park, such as Reverend Clark are pushing back on the CBP’s plans for heightened security in the area.
“We recognize that there are legitimate safety concerns with plates falling down and whatnot,” Clark said, “but it would be far better to figure out how to replace those without replacing everything and adding 12 feet to the walls. In doing so, they would also destroy 70-80% of the binational garden, which is treasured here.”
The future of Friendship Park is uncertain, as the park has remained closed since 2020 and the CBP have not announced a reopening date. People on both sides of the border await the CBP’s decision, as families separated by the wall previously used Friendship Park as a meeting place.
To provide input, email your comments to the CBP at [email protected]. Please include “Friendship Circle Border Barrier Projects” in the subject line. Comments and personal information received in response to this letter, including names and addresses, will become a part of the public record.
You may also provide comments, questions, or concerns by calling 1-800-542-2753 or by mail:
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
U.S. Border Patrol Headquarters
1300 Pennsylvania Ave. 6.5E Mail Stop 1039
Washington, DC 20229-1100
