Long border waits frustrate disabled
Long border waits frustrate disabled
They no longer can move up in line
By Diane Lindquist
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
October 9, 2006
JOHN GIBBINS / Union-Tribune
Anthony Palladin, 72, who has had hip surgery, often times has to wait to cross the border from Tijuana to the United States. But on this day, there
was no line.
People who use wheelchairs, canes or crutches used to be able to cut to the head of the seemingly interminable pedestrian line at the San Ysidro port
of entry.
No more. They're out there for an hour or two in the sun or rain with everyone else. And they're none too pleased about it.
“I don't see why they don't want to do anything for people who are handicapped,” said Anthony Paladin, a 72-year-old who had hip replacement surgery
and now uses a cane or wheelchair.
After moving earlier this year from Los Angeles to Tijuana, Paladin first had no problems crossing the border to visit his doctor or pick up
prescriptions. He simply went to the head of the line and showed inspectors his health card from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
But a change in U.S. policy stopped the common practice of cuts for the disabled, leaving many frustrated and angry.
“When you're hobbling, you want it to go easier,” Paladin said.
The change was instituted in April, when head-of-line privileges for bicyclists also were stopped.
People using the pedestrian crossing at San Ysidro can often wait more than an hour to get across, queuing up in a line that snakes its way along
Tijuana sidewalks. Vehicle lanes have long waits as well. Border officials say the wait has lengthened because they are checking crossers more closely
and because there is simply more traffic in the region.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesman Vince Bond said that the previous policy regarding the disabled was inequitable. Furthermore, agents
don't have the time or training to inspect the various documents being presented to claim the special privilege for the disabled.
“We don't want to be the wheelchair police,” Bond said. “If they're well enough to walk into Mexico, we feel they should be able to wait their turn
like everyone else when they enter the United States.”
Special consideration is given to those who have an emergency, such as being injured or wounded, that requires quick passage to the U.S. side of the
border.
“Emergency first-responders will assist in any way we can to stabilize the situation, call 911 to seek professional medical attention and offer
assistance where an ambulance can help,” Bond said.
The port of entry adheres to laws to accommodate the disabled, he noted, including bathrooms located in the secondary inspection area.
“We try to provide wider ramps and sidewalks for the truly handicapped, but it's to provide access, not preference,” Bond said.
Amy Vandeveld, a San Diego lawyer whose practice is devoted to representing people with disabilities, said port officials might have a legal
responsibility to not only provide the disabled with physical accommodations but also not keep them waiting for long periods in the line.
“If they are providing absolutely no accommodation to people with disabilities, it's extremely likely that there are people with disabilities who are
being excluded from the port of entry because it's difficult or impossible for them to wait in line for the amount of time nondisabled people are
waiting,” Vandeveld said.
“Under the law,” she said, “the government entity has to ensure that their programs, services and activities are accessible to be used by people with
disabilities.”
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Diane Lindquist: (619) 293-1812; diane.lindquist@uniontrib.com
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