Posted on 08/09/2004 11:09:35 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
WASHINGTON (AP) - Mexicans making short trips across the border who have passed security checks will be allowed to visit the United States for up to 30 days instead of the current three-day limit, government officials said Monday.
The change, long sought by Mexicans and border-state politicians, is a gesture that could help President Bush win support in the election battleground states of Arizona and New Mexico.
The 30-day limit will be available to Mexicans who hold so-called laser visas, which require background checks and other security measures, Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, confirmed Monday.
The Homeland Security Department declined comment. Asa Hutchinson, the Homeland Security undersecretary who oversees border and transportation security, planned a briefing Tuesday on immigration issues.
Congressional and other government sources who requested anonymity because of the pending announcement said Hutchinson also would detail plans to more quickly deport certain illegal immigrants caught entering the country outside legal ports of entry. The practice, known as "expedited removal," already is in place at airports and land border crossing points.
It was not immediately clear when the changes would take effect. There will be no change to a separate rule that restricts Mexicans to traveling no more than 25 miles from the border.
Politicians and businesses from states along the border with Mexico have pushed for longer stays for Mexicans as post-Sept. 11 security has tightened. The tougher enforcement has hurt border economies, officials say.
The border officials also argued the United States discriminates against its southern neighbor because Canadians are allowed to enter the country for up to six months on little more than proof of citizenship and can travel throughout the United States.
"Mexicans visiting with laser visas invest in our real estate, travel and support local industry," Cornyn said. "They have shown they are willing to visit this country legally and should be allowed to stay as long as Canadians engaged in similar travel and commerce. It's the right thing to do for both our border economy and our short-term, nonimmigrant visitors."
The senator began pushing for equity for Mexican visitors last November and has been negotiating with the Homeland Security Department for the extended stay. He called 30 days a "good start and a much more reasonable time limit." But he said Mexican visitors, who undergo far more scrutiny, should get the same freedom Canadian visitors enjoy to travel in the United States.
"Specifically, the 72-hour limit should be extended to six months to accommodate the realities of trade, tourism and commerce along the border," he said.
Juan Carlos Foncerrada, the Mexican consul general in Brownsville, Texas, called the extension good news for the border.
"I'm sure that everyone here, on both sides, would take that as a very positive sign in terms of treating Mexico as it is - a very strong partner of the United States in many respects, not only trade," Foncerrada said.
Other government officials outlined the plan but would not comment for the record before it was released.
Mexicans with laser visas regularly make quick trips across the border to shop, visit friends and relatives, travel, vacation or do business. The visas are obtained through American consulates and embassies. Mexicans undergo criminal background checks to get the card, which is embedded with the holder's digital fingerprints and photo. Mexicans who want to stay more than three days and travel farther must fill out another border crossing permit, called an I-94, at the port of entry.
The United States shares a nearly 2,000-mile border with Mexico. Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California share a border with Mexico.
New Mexico is one of 11 states where President Bush and Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry are running even. Kerry campaigned in Arizona on Monday, and Bush was to follow Wednesday, evidence of the candidates' intense struggle for the state's 10 electoral votes.
"longer stays for some Mexican visitors" with laser visas
The Homeland Security Department declined comment. Asa Hutchinson, the Homeland Security undersecretary who oversees border and transportation security, planned a briefing Tuesday on immigration issues.
Congressional and other government sources who requested anonymity because of the pending announcement said Hutchinson also would detail plans to more quickly deport certain illegal immigrants caught entering the country outside legal ports of entry. The practice, known as "expedited removal," already is in place at airports and land border crossing points.
It was not immediately clear when the changes would take effect.
That's because everyone in the Homeland Security Department knows they can kiss their careers goodbye when (not if) the next terrorist attacks come from south of the border...
Oh boy. Why not start building them brand new homes right near the border and wave at them to come on in?
Funny, California already has a 3500 day pass.
I will not be shocked if the answer is yes.
Citizens without borders. The new voter??????????
A Brave New World , indeed.
ping
You now see a lot of Mexico plates in Southern California....a daily occurance whereas before you would see them maybe once a year. And not just the Frontera zone.
I really dont have a problem seeing a Bimmer rolling on the I-5 with Mexico plates...you know they are screened, and most likely will return.
If it wasn't so sad it would be laughable. WTH are they injecting into their veins in Washington D.C.? The first nation that committed suicide with the help of many...
See? compassionate conservativism saves the day. ;-)
remember that guy who built that dome city in San Francisco?? We need to get him to the border =o)
Then we should pare Canadian visits down to match the current Mexican limit. Considering that it's a haven for Islamofascists I'd have no problem with that at all.
imo
Except when they're driving those, they're drug lords. Those aren't very good people.
The digital fingerprints do no good at all because Fox ordered those machines that would check them to be shut down. They did have those machines installed and ready to go at the border entry points but they can't use them now.
Bush seems willing to do anything at all for a handful of votes from the citizens of Mexico --- but this already has some hispanics on the border not very happy:
The Mexican American Chamber of Commerce ---
http://www.borderlandnews.com/stories/borderland/20040810-153695.shtml
Official says US-VISIT will strain economy
BROWNSVILLE -- El Paso businessman Joe Lopez, chairman of the Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce, testified Monday that the US-VISIT Program will have a major negative impact on the economy of Texas.
Really? How many troops has Mexico sent to help us out in the ME? Instead of giving Mexican citizens extended visas, why don't we make it equal by cutting down the length of time Canadians stay here?
Why not? Most hospital stays are longer than 3 days. We wouldn't was all the illegals to go AMA would we?
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