Speech #1100039525

Mr. President. I rise today with Senator BINGAMAN to introduce a bill of importance to the economic development of our Southwest border States. the Laser Visa Extension Act of 2007. The United States and Mexico have had special travel rules for Mexican nationals who visit our country for short periods of time since 1953. These visitors can come into our country with a document known as a "laser visa" or "border crossing card". which is an alternative to a passport and must be obtained from the U.S. government. In the 1990s. the rule was that anyone who held such a document could travel up to 25 miles from the Mexico/U.S. border. In 1999. Arizona and the Border Trade Alliance mounted a successful campaign to extend the mileage limit in Arizona to 75 miles because there is no large town within 25 miles of the Arizona/Mexico border. so Arizona wasnt getting the economic benefits of these travelers. Similarly. there is no large town within 25 miles of the New Mexico/Mexico border. so my constituents do not get the economic benefits of laser visa travelers. This disparity needs to be corrected. Moreover. all four Southwest border States should see the same benefits of laser visa travelers. Therefore. the bill I am introducing today extends the distance laser visa holders can travel into the United States to 100 miles. regardless of which State they are in. Such an extension will allow more towns in all four of our Southwest border States to reap the economic benefits of shortterm visitors to our country who hold a travel document issued by our Federal Government. I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the RECORD.