Congressman Gonzalez Calls on Biden Administration to Define Clear Thresholds to Re-Open Southern Border Bridges

WASHINGTON – Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) today issued a statement calling on the Biden administration to provide clear benchmarks to re-open international bridges with Mexico to non-essential travel in light of the recent announcement to extend southern border closures:

"Opening our international bridges is imperative to the wellbeing and full economic recovery of our border communities. With Mexican National visa holders legally flying in to our airports with proof of negative COVID-19 tests and undocumented migrants coming across our border and being tested and vaccinated in the U.S. upon arrival, it is very difficult to explain why our international bridges continue to be closed for legal visa holders. And there is clearly no common sense explanation. The subsequent extensions and ambiguity is frustrating and costly to those living along the border and whose livelihoods depend on cross-border business. We are anxious to see the Biden administration provide clear thresholds and benchmarks for reopening the southern border to non-essential travel. I call on President Biden, Secretary Mayorkas, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to give lawmakers and officials who represent the border a full accounting of this recent decision to prolong border closures and the progress of their binational plan to vaccinate bordering Mexican states."

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