Resolution of Support For Extending
the Border Zone in Arizona
• For COG and MPO consideration
• Initiated and championed by the MAG region
• Extension would include the entire state of Arizona
• Supports streamlining of visa processes for Mexican
nationals traveling to Arizona for tourism and business
• Non-binding. Federal action would be required.
Supporters as of Dec. 11, 2013
•
•
•
•
•
Western Arizona Council of Governments
Yuma Metropolitan Planning Organization
Inter Tribal Council of Arizona
Flagstaff Metropolitan Planning Organization
Nogales City Council
Border Zone
• Recognized by the U.S. State Department and U.S. Dept.
of Homeland Security
• Within the Border Zone, there are reduced entry
requirements for Mexican nationals traveling for tourism
and business (i.e., can use Border Crossing Card)
• Generally 25 miles from the U.S./Mexico Border into the
U.S.
• 1999 extension in Arizona to 75 miles
• 2013 extension in New Mexico to 55 miles
• Travel outside of Border Zone requires additional
processing (i.e., completion of Form I-94,
Arrival/Departure Record)
Border Zone in Arizona
Border Crossing Card (BCC)
Issued by U.S. Dept. of State
• Serves as a B1/B2 Visa
• Only visa documentation necessary
for travel within the Border Zone
• Cannot be used for air travel
Secure
• “numerous, layered security
features”
• “BCC holders undergo extensive
vetting by CBP and DOS”
Efficient
• Uses Radio Frequency Identification
• 20% faster than machine-read ID
• 60% faster than paper
documentation
Resolution Rationale
Growth of Mexico’s economy
• 14th largest economy in 2012
• 3.9% GDP growth in 2012 compared with 2.2% for the U.S.
• Growing middle class
Importance of tourism to Arizona economy
• $7.6 billion to Arizona’s GDP in 2012
Maintain security
• BCC is “one of the most secure travel documents used at the
border”
Improve Land Port of Entry processing efficiency
• Increased use of BCC will reduce necessity of secondary
processing (i.e., I-94 Form)
– Travelers with BCCs do not need to leave their vehicles
• Allows CBP to “reallocate that staff time to other security
enhancing activities”
“Mexican Visitors to Arizona: Visitor
Characteristics and Economic Impacts”
•
Surveys and data collection
conducted by the UA Eller College
in 1991, 1999, and 2007/2008
(July/June)
•
24M “alien crossings from Mexico to
Arizona between 2007/2008”
•
Average of $7.3M spent in Arizona
per day
•
99 percent of Mexican visitors enter
Arizona through the LPOEs
•
99 percent of visitor parties are from
Sonora, Arizona
–
64% leisure
–
36% business
•
Largest sector is personal shopping (57.44%)
Factors Influencing the Mexican Visitors’ Border Crossings and
Spending Pattern
Factors Influencing Mexican Visitors Border
Crossings and Spending Patterns
Exchange rates
• “changes in the real exchange rate [Peso to Dollar] have
statistically significant impacts on total retail sales. . . “
Maquiladora sector employment
• Maquiladora employees are a significant component of
cross-border shopping
• Ripple effects of expansions and contractions in this
sector
Retail sector changes in Mexico
• Increasing availability of U.S. retail outlets (e.g., Costco,
Wal-Mart, Home Depot)
Post 9/11 border security policies (e.g., WHTI)
• “It is now harder and more expensive to obtain an entry
visa, while increased border security at border crossings
is causing delays at the border.”
• Fewer visits, but spending more per visit.
Growth of online retail
Mexican National
BCC holder
traveling within
border zone
Non-BCC holder
Canadian
National
Passport required to enter
U.S.
No
Yes
Yes
Passport fees
N/A
10 year:
$136 USD
10 year:
C$160
Separate B1/B2 visa
No
Yes
No
BCC and B1/B2 visa fees
$160
$160
N/A
Visa length of validity
10 years
10 years
N/A
Arrival/ Departure Record
required (Form 1-94)
No
Yes
No
Form I-94 cost and time
burden
N/A
$6 per visit; 8
minutes
N/A
Entry Requirements