President Trump issued a Presidential Permit on August 20, 2025, authorizing Cameron County, Texas to construct, maintain, and operate a pedestrian border crossing at the Gateway International Bridge Land Port of Entry in Brownsville, Texas, on the U.S.-Mexico border.
The permit authorizes construction of a pedestrian bridge over the Rio Grande for northbound and southbound foot traffic, located upstream of the existing Gateway International Bridge. Cameron County must comply with all federal, state, and local laws and provide suitable inspection facilities, infrastructure improvements, equipment, and maintenance to U.S. Customs and Border Protection at no cost to the United States.
Before construction can begin, several prerequisites must be met. Cameron County must obtain concurrence from the International Boundary and Water Commission, receive State Department notification that diplomatic notes have been exchanged with Mexico, provide a donation acceptance proposal to CBP and the General Services Administration, and submit a plan for any necessary changes to the existing port of entry modernization.
The permit includes standard conditions for environmental compliance, mitigation of adverse impacts, indemnification of the United States, inspection rights for federal agencies, and requirements for permits and authorizations. The permit expires in 5 years if construction has not commenced, and the President retains discretion to terminate, revoke, or amend the permit at any time.
For more information on this, and other immigration matters, contact the attorneys at Gonzalez Olivieri LLC today.
Reference:
Presidential Permit: Authorizing Cameron County, Texas, to Construct, Maintain, and Operate a Pedestrian Border Crossing at the Gateway International Bridge Land Port of Entry, Presidential Memoranda (Aug. 20, 2025).
