Homeland Security Secretary to Discuss Border Restrictions in Mexico City Reopening of Ports

Before the eventual Mexico City reopening, the Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas is expected to have talks regarding the U.S.-Mexico border during meetings in the city on Tuesday.

U.S.-Mexico Border Negotiations

In his post on social media, the DHS Secretary shared that he is looking forward to a productive visit to the city. He mentioned that he wants his visit to strengthen the ties between the two neighboring countries.

According to El Paso Times, Mayorkas arrived in Mexico's capital late Monday. Mayorkas' visit to Mexico City came after last week's high-profile meeting between U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. The visit of Mayorkas in the neighboring country was his first trip abroad as chief of the nation's border authority.

Moreover, there is an agreement between the two countries that there will be a binational working group that will be studying the necessary conditions that need to be achieved prior to the U.S.-Mexico border reopening from trade to travel. The land ports of entry have been closed since midnight on March 21, 2020, except for 'essential travel.'

Meanwhile, U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents were allowed to cross the border on a normal basis, but Mexican nationals, despite having valid tourist visas, have been prohibited from crossing the land ports of entry. Their only option was to take a flight, as they were allowed to fly to the U.S.

Also, the border restrictions have been a burden for residents living near the border who were accustomed to crossing the border on a regular basis. Border residents usually shop or visit their friends and family who are also living near the border.

Both Sides of the Border

In addition, a nonprofit group that promotes business and economic development in areas like Juárez, El Paso and the Southern region of New Mexico emphasized how the pandemic changed the economy in the areas near the border.

The CEO of the Borderplex Alliance, John Barela shared that 15% up to 30% of all retail trade happening in El Paso prior to the pandemic came from shoppers and visitors from Mexico.

Furthermore, not only areas in the U.S.'s side were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The other side in Mexico also suffered due to the global health crisis. Mexico has recently struggled in vaccinating their people living in border cities.

On the other hand, after the bilateral meeting between Harris and López Obrador, Mexican officials said the U.S. agreed to donate 1.35 million doses of the one-shot Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine to Mexico, Associated Press reported.

Mexico currently plans to distribute the vaccines from the U.S. to individuals who are 18- to 40-year-olds in its northern border cities. Mexican officials pointed out that there is a need to raise vaccination rates to facilitate the reopening of the border. The donated doses arrived in Mexico City on Tuesday.

Mexican Foreign Relations Secretary Marcelo Ebrard, who met with Mayorkas in Mexico City, stated that after the vaccinations in the area there will be no public health arguments for keeping the border closed.

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