SAN DIEGO (Border Report) — Tijuana’s 14 cemeteries are expecting anywhere from 200,000 to 300,000 visitors for Día de los Muertos festivities this weekend.
Tradition calls for people to visit the graves of loved ones and bring flowers, food, music, decorations and pictures to remember fallen relatives and friends.
“Every year, we petition the Secretary of Public Safety and Protection to coordinate with Tijuana police to intensify patrols around these dates at all our graveyards,” said Josué Márquez, the city’s public services director.
Cemeteries throughout the city will open from 8 a.m.-4 p.m., although people will be allowed to linger a bit more after closing time, Márquez said.
“We have done a number of cleaning operations, increased our landscaping and have discarded more than 50 tons of waste, trash and debris from our facilities,” he said.
Exterior walls have also been painted, and 167 trees have been planted.
“We’re asking the public to refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages on the grounds. We also want them to haul away their trash and maintain order and decorum,” Márquez said. “I wouldn’t call them restrictions, we’re asking the public to maintain a level of civility.”
For those who might be crossing the border to partake in Día de los Muertos celebrations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection is reminding travelers that certain agricultural items commonly used in holiday decorations and traditional offerings are prohibited from entering the United States.
These are items that may carry harmful pests and diseases that threaten American agriculture and natural resources.
CBP has issued a list of materials that are prohibited at ports of entry for people headed into the U.S.
- Flowers: Traditional Aztec marigolds, known in Mexico as cempasuchil, can host the cotton seed bug, a pest capable of causing significant damage to the U.S. cotton industry. Other prohibited flowers include chrysanthemums.
- Greenery: Ornamental greenery such as Murraya, also known as orange jasmine, is often used in traditional altars. Murraya is a host plant for the Asian citrus psyllid, an insect that carries citrus greening disease. This devastating disease severely impacts citrus varieties and ornamental plants, posing a grave threat to the U.S. citrus industry. Cut greenery found in bouquets may also be prohibited.
- Fruits: Prohibited citrus fruits commonly include oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, sour oranges, and sweet limes. Other popular fruits such as guavas, mangoes, peaches, and pomegranates are also restricted.
- General Categories: Certain flowers, fruits, vegetables, potted plants, and soil are prohibited to prevent the introduction of plant diseases, invasive insects, and parasitic nematodes.
“Our dedicated Agriculture Specialists work diligently to protect our nation’s vital agricultural resources from invasive pests and diseases,” said Acting CBP Deputy Commissioner John Modlin. “We understand the deep cultural significance of Día de los Muertos, and we encourage travelers to honor their traditions responsibly by familiarizing themselves with prohibited items before crossing the border. Declaring all agricultural products is a simple yet crucial step that helps prevent ecological and economic harm, ensures smooth border crossings, and avoids potential penalties. We ask for the public’s cooperation in protecting American agriculture for future generations.”
According to CBP, failure to declare prohibited agricultural items can result in significant fines. Penalties for undeclared, prohibited personal importations typically start at $300 and can escalate, while commercial importations can face fines up to $250,000.
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