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 News from Around the Americas | April 2007 
US Mulls Visa Zone Changes
 Diana M. Alba - Sun-News
| | New Mexico senators are seeking an expansion to a limit that keeps Mexican nationals with a certain type of visa from traveling more than 25 miles into the state. |
Las Cruces New Mexico's U.S. senators are hoping for a change in the law that would allow Mexican tourists to more easily visit cities in the southern part of the state a move officials say could boost the economy.
Senators are seeking an expansion to a limit that keeps Mexican nationals with a certain type of visa from traveling more than 25 miles into the state. Their proposal would bump that limit up to 100 miles, allowing visitors to reach the cities of Las Cruces, Silver City and Deming, without the hassle of additional paperwork.
"Extending the Laser Visa would help increase the number of visitors that would come to southern New Mexico," said Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M. "I think it's good from an economic stand point, and it makes sense."
A Laser Visa is a type of permit granted to Mexican nationals who frequently cross the border for tourism, business or to visit family. Trips more than 25 miles into the country, however, require another document that entails a separate fee.
Jerry Harrell, general manager for the Double Eagle Restaurant in Mesilla, said Mexican tourists are frequent patrons of the restaurant, especially on weekends. The restaurant has its eye on the proposed change, he said.
"We're very much in favor of the proposal and are in full support of it," he said. "The more tourism we can get, the better."
Jose Contreras, vice president of international relations for the Ciudad Juαrez Chamber of Commerce, said he strongly favors the move. Contreras is a U.S. resident, and said he sees the advantages New Mexico could gain. Mexican shoppers spend some $3 billion annually in El Paso's retail stores, he said.
"I feel that this is something long overdue," he said. "People on that side should not see Mexican shoppers as enemies; they should see them as shoppers doing the New Mexican economy a lot of good."
Contreras said if the United States approves the change, it's likely the state of Chihuahua would OK a similar measure, allowing U.S. citizens to more easily travel to its own cities.
Bingaman and Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., have asked the state's four border counties and several cities that fall within the 100-mile range to back resolutions in favor of the change. So far, nine entities have approved resolutions, while eight others are considering them, said Domenici spokesman Chris Gallegos.
"With all of this ... local support, it could make it easier for the senator to come up (to Washington) and really argue to make the change," he said.
This isn't the first time the state's congressional delegation has sought the extension. Attempts in 2004 and last year failed.
Bingaman spokeswoman Maria Najera said lawmakers will try to attach the provision to an immigration bill expected to be introduced before the end of May. If the measure doesn't pass there, she said, other possibilities include attaching it to funding bills later in the year.
Najera said she's hopeful counties' and cities' support of the provision, combined with a leadership change in Congress, will give the bill greater odds of passage.
Democrats have control of the House and Senate this year, while Republicans did last year.
"I think we have a better chance now," she said. "We have more control over the management of the bills. Now that we're in the majority, we feel we have a better opportunity."
Doρa Ana County officials approved a resolution favoring the change during a meeting last week. The two county commissioners who put forth the measure said they're seeking economic returns for the region.
"It will encourage people to hopefully drive to Las Cruces and stir up some of that economic development," said County Commissioner Dolores Saldaρa-Caviness. "Because of the distance, they just go straight to El Paso. If you really think about it, there isn't much coming into the first 25 miles of New Mexico. ..."
Added County Commissioner Bill McCamley: "Arizona already backed a similar measure. This is an opportunity for people to come in and shop and bring in money to different areas of New Mexico."
In 1999, the federal government granted approval for Mexican nationals with Laser Visas to travel up to 75 miles into Arizona. The move allows them to reach Tucson and other border cities.
Diana M. Alba can be reached at dalba@lcsun-news.com
Closer look:
Entities that have backed a change in federal law allowing certain Mexican nationals to more easily travel in southern New Mexico:
Village of Hatch
Doρa Ana County
City of Las Cruces
Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce
City of Deming
Hidalgo County
City of Lordsburg
Town of Silver City
Grant County
Entities still considering the proposal:
Town of Mesilla
Hispano Chamber of Commerce de Las Cruces
Luna County
Deming-Luna County Chamber of Commerce
Lordsburg Chamber of Commerce
Village of Santa Clara
Town of Hurley
Grant County Chamber of Commerce
Source: U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici |
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