LaredoBuzz.Com

Courtesy Xochitl Mora,

City of Laredo Mayor Raul G. Salinas was on hand earlier this afternoon to help welcome a family to the rest stop.  On hand was Mexican Consul Miguel Angel Isidro, as well as Blasita Lopez, Convention & Visitors Bureau Director, and the mechanic who donates his time to help the paisanos get safely on their way.

 For the past 15 years, the City of Laredo has hosted a Paisano Rest Stop to help Mexican citizens returning home from throughout the U.S. have a smoother experience as they head home for the holidays.  This unique bi-national project is offered only in Laredo, Texas.  The City of Laredo Convention & Visitors Bureau works with the Mexican Consulate General to set-up the rest stop; however, there are many city, state and federal departments and agencies from both sides of the border who come together to help the paisanos.

 The Paisano Rest Stop will be at IH-35 southbound, just off Mile Marker 13, beginning Friday, December 20, at 12 noon and closing at 12 noon on Sunday, December 22, 2013.  For 48 continuous hours, the rest stop has individuals who help review documents necessary for travelers, as well as any goods or vehicles they may be taking into Mexico. Information on bridge wait times, directions, simple mechanic help, refreshments, restroom facilities and simply, an opportunity to rest and stretch their legs is free and offered at the site. 

 Additional information given includes:

·         Hotel and restaurant listings;

·         U.S. Customs regulations for return trip;

·         Legitimate nationalization processing business listing;

·         Complaint and crime reporting procedures with Mexican Consulate and local agencies;

·         Volunteer mechanic on-call to do initial inspection, minor car repairs;

·         Mexican immigration regulations and forms;

·         Free copies.

 All is done with a smile and in Spanish.  In fact, to help welcome the paisanos as they stop off at the rest stop will be Laredo’s own Ambassadors, who will be a part of the volunteers providing helpful information and assisting in any way possible to help make their stop at the rest area a pleasant one.