LaredoBuzz.Com

Courtesy Jose Sanz,

The reopening will help revamp local border economies

Laredo, Texas— U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) hosted an event to celebrate the re-opening of the Gateway to the Americas International Bridge, in Laredo, to fully vaccinated non-essential foreign nationals. The Congressman was joined by Mayor of Laredo Pete Saenz, Mexico Senator Jose Narro, Mexico Senator Americo Villarreal, and Mayor of Nuevo Laredo, Mexico Carmen Lilia Canturosas Villareal to discuss the effect of the reopening on local economies along the border. The Congressman also discussed the phases associated with lifting the restrictions and the new protocols for all travel to the United States starting next year.

“I am thrilled to say that starting today, fully vaccinated foreign citizens traveling for non-essential reasons, who are able to provide proof of vaccination, will be allowed to enter the United Stated by land,” said Congressman Cuellar. “It has been nineteen months since restrictions were placed on non-essential travel through our land ports of entry. The resulting limited traffic along the Texas-Mexico border had a devastating impact on retail sales in our border communities. The reduction of Mexican shoppers resulted in a decrease in labor, income, and demand for goods and services, our economies lost billions of dollars. With fully vaccinated non-essential consumers now being allowed to cross into the United States by land, our economies are on a path to full-recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Congressman Cuellar continued. “Beginning in January 2022, all foreign citizens, essential or non-essential, traveling to the U.S. will be required to provide proof of vaccination. These new protocols will apply to travel by air, land, or ferry. Therefore, I encourage all essential travelers to get vaccinated now if you have not done so already.”