The funding for the San Diego County project is based on state dollars and a state program grant that relies on federal dollars. There is concern from Newsom and Democrats that President-elect Donald Trump and the Republican-controlled Congress will seek to table funding for the port of entry.

Last month, Newsom flew to Washington, D.C., to meet with President Joe Biden and top Democratic officials to strategize how to preserve California projects, including Otay Mesa East Port of Entry.

Newsom has promoted that a new port of entry would help cut down congestion and hours of lagging of trucks transporting key goods across the border.