One of two international bridges remained closed to traffic for the second day on Thursday, creating long lines at the other bridge and frustrating residents who were surprised that an emergency declaration was issued in this border town.

Eagle Pass Mayor Rolando Salinas on Wednesday night issued an emergency declaration he said due to the thousands of asylum-seekers who are streaming across the Rio Grande from Piedras Negras, Mexico.

The declaration came just hours after a 3-year-old boy drowned trying to cross the Rio Grande with his family just north of the buoy marine barricade the State of Texas has put up here, according to Texas Department of Safety Spokeswoman Ericka Miller.

Over 4,000 migrants this week are believed to have crossed into this small border city of just 49,000 residents.

The Maverick County Sheriff said 2,700 were apprehended on Wednesday and being held under International Bridge No. 2 after crossing the river and claiming asylum.

By Thursday, and with temperatures over 100 degrees, the migrants sat under the shade of the bridge on the dusty banks of the Rio Grandehundreds. The entire distance from the highway to the river was full of asylum-seekers. Porta potties and water stations were set up and officers prevented onlookers.