Up to 1 Million US Residents Head to Mexico for Holy Week

Mexican authorities prepare for influx of American travelers visiting family over the holiday.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 10:54pm

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Mexican authorities are expecting up to 1 million U.S. residents to cross the border and travel deep into Mexico to spend Holy Week with their extended families. Customs officials in border cities like Juarez are already seeing an influx of travelers turning in paperwork to drive their U.S.-registered vehicles into Mexico, some expressing concerns about safety on the roads.

Why it matters

The annual Holy Week migration from the U.S. to Mexico is a major event that strains border infrastructure and requires coordination between law enforcement on both sides of the border to ensure the safety of the travelers. This year's expected high volume of visitors highlights the close cultural and family ties between communities on either side of the U.S.-Mexico border.

The details

Mexican authorities have deployed additional police officers to patrol highways and assist travelers, providing everything from a visible deterrent to criminals to helping with vehicle breakdowns. The federal government has also activated its "Heroes Paisanos" roadside assistance program. Travelers are being urged to ensure their vehicles are in good condition, avoid night driving, and only use trusted transportation services to avoid problems on the roads.

  • Mexican border states like Chihuahua and Sonora have been preparing for the influx of U.S. travelers since this past weekend.
  • Customs parking lots in Juarez were already full on Monday with travelers turning in paperwork to drive their U.S. vehicles into Mexico.

The players

Timoteo Acuña Rodriguez

A Denver resident who was part of a caravan of 6-7 vehicles that gathered for safety before driving into Juarez around 7 a.m.

Aldo Vasquez

A U.S. resident who declined to say where he was coming from or going to, but plans to only drive on Mexican roads during daylight hours to avoid risks.

Gilberto Loya

The Chihuahua Public Safety Director, who said authorities will take care of public safety issues and urged drivers to ensure their vehicles are mechanically sound, keep their eyes on the road, and avoid speeding.

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What they’re saying

“I've heard from others who've had problems. It's mostly on the highway without tolls to Parral, Chihuahua. They had ugly incidents with people who come up to them on the highway. We use the toll road. It's always been very safe.”

— Timoteo Acuña Rodriguez, Denver resident

“We hear that things are ugly, but we don't know how we are going to fare in the end. We came over last April. There was no problem getting the car permit and we had safe travels. We hope it's the same way this year and nothing bad happens to us on the road.”

— Aldo Vasquez, U.S. resident

“It's not only because it's the law in Mexico but also because speeding on Mexican roads often leads to accidents.”

— Gilberto Loya, Chihuahua Public Safety Director

What’s next

Mexican authorities will continue to monitor the influx of U.S. travelers over the coming days and weeks of the Holy Week holiday, providing assistance and security as needed.

The takeaway

The annual Holy Week migration from the U.S. to Mexico highlights the deep cultural and family ties between the two countries, but also requires careful coordination between law enforcement and transportation agencies on both sides of the border to ensure the safety and smooth passage of the large number of travelers.