According to a DHS official, the concern prompted a suspension of the port for three hours in order to get more CBP personnel in the area.

\"PHOTO:
Guillermo Arias/AFP/Getty Images
PHOTO: Birds fly over almost empty border crossing lines, after U.S. authorities temporarily closed the San Ysidro port of entry at the US-Mexico border, as seen from Tijuana, Mexico, Nov. 19, 2018.
>

“CBP will not allow for the unlawful entry of persons into the United States, at or between our ports of entry,” said Pete Flores, Director of Field Operations in San Diego. “Waiting until a large group of persons mass at the border to attempt an illegal crossing is too late for us; we need to be prepared prior to when they arrive at the border crossing.”

According to a DHS official, the San Ysidro facility can hold only up to 300 people.

Officials said they are also limited if they need to deal with rival gang members in custody or unaccompanied minors.

The main concern was safety for their personnel, that DHS official said.

DHS claims the department has identified more than \"500 criminals\" in the caravan.

\"Most of the caravan are not women and children,\" an official said, adding that most are men and male teenagers trying to enter the country.

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