DONNA, Texas — Outbound traffic at the Donna International Bridge is not what it was a year ago.

“We’re averaging a little over 62,000 crossings, when it used to be upwards of, close to 70,000 crossings,” said Donna Mayor David Moreno.

What You Need To Know

In 2024, the Donna Bridge collected $3,303,410 in toll revenues

In fiscal year 2025, which ended in September, toll attendants collected $214,834 less than last year for a total of $3,088,575

Moreno said the cause of fewer people coming and going from Mexico is the hardline immigration polices implemented by President Donald Trump’s administration

Another issue damaging ports of entry, according to economic experts, is the tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. According to the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates, 2025 will end with a 2.3% drop in imports

That’s 8,000 fewer cars and cargo trucks a month using the bridge, which connects the United States and Mexico.

Closed commercial truck traffic lanes and fewer people traveling in and out of the toll booths are not good economics, according to receipts collected and counted by Donna bridge operator Orlando Rivera.

“It hurts the city revenue because we don’t have that influx coming in and out,” said Rivera.

Rivera said reduced crossings financially affects city, county and merchant coffers.

“How the City of Donna generates revenue is the cars crossing using our bridge,” Rivera said. “Less people coming here, less people spending money and so forth coming over, we take a big impact.”

In 2024, the Donna Bridge collected $3,303,410 in toll revenues.

Moreno said the cause of fewer people coming and going from Mexico is the hardline immigration polices implemented by President Donald Trump’s administration.

“You talk about [U.S. Customs and Border Protection] you talk about [U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement]; they don’t want to come over because they are afraid,” Moreno said.

In fiscal year 2025, which ended in September, toll attendants collected $214,834 less than last year, for a total of $3,088,575.

The mayor believes fewer travelers and fewer commerce trucks at international ports of entry financially affect the shopping malls, restaurants, bars, gas pumps and countless other businesses. Bridges and communities between Brownsville and San Diego along the U.S.-Mexico border have also seen reduced crossings and lost revenue.

Another issue damaging ports of entry, according to economic experts, is the tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. According to the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates, 2025 will end with a 2.3% drop in imports.

The mayor says the evidence is clear: new federal rules are creating economic woes.

“That puts hurdles in front of you,” said Moreno. “That’s not good for our economy.”

Moreno is expecting a slight uptick in crossings for the holiday season.