U.S. border travel limits extended all over again until finally May well 21, Texas Democrat criticizes move
‘They just you should not get it,” U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-TX says of Biden administration

Pedestrians and vehicular website traffic on the Gateway Intercontinental Bridge leading from Matamoros, Mexico, to Brownsville, Texas, will continue to be restricted to only “essential vacationers,” by means of Could 21, the Biden administration has introduced. (Border Report File Photograph/Sandra Sanchez)
McALLEN, Texas (Border Report) — Vacation restrictions amongst the United States, Mexico and Canada to command the spread of COVID-19 will remain in influence until finally May possibly 21, the Biden administration introduced to the “disappointment” of at least one South Texas congressman.
This suggests that only all those deemed “essential travelers” or workers are allowed to cross into land ports. These are the same limits that have been in position due to the fact March 2020 beneath the Trump administration.
“The restrictions outlined in the Notifications are temporary in mother nature and shall stay in result right until 11:59 p.m. EDT on May 21, 2021 until if not rescinded by the Section of Homeland Safety,” in accordance to a observe posted late Monday on a U.S. Customs and Border Safety web-site.
No media release has been despatched out concerning the vacation ban extension, and U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, a Democrat from Texas, suggests he’s “frustrated” with the administration for not seeking to at minimum open some pilot land ports of entry.
“It’s just wonderful. They just really don’t get it, I seriously really do not feel. I’m just frustrated with them and let down with them,” Cuellar instructed Border Report by using telephone on Tuesday morning from Washington, D.C.
Listed here it is just: ‘Nope. Extended. Extended.’”
U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-TX
“When you want to end a issue you say ‘Hey how about this’ and provide remedies,” Cuellar claimed. “Here it is just: ‘Nope. Extended. Extended.’”
Cuellar and other border community leaders say the journey ban restrictions are unfair simply because Mexican tourists who fly into U.S. ports are allowed to do so — as extensive as they clearly show evidence that they are COVID-19-absolutely free. But, individuals attempting to wander or drive throughout land ports, probably to appear to store, are not permitted, and they say this is devastating regional economies.
Cuellar, who is vice chairman of the Property Appropriations Homeland Protection Subcommittee, claimed he has requested Homeland Safety Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas how DHS officials can confess undocumented migrants throughout the Southwest border into the United States with no testing the migrants for the coronavirus, but won’t let visa-holders from Mexico to come and store or go to households or mates north of the border.
“He reported ‘It’s a well being challenge.’ I claimed, ‘What do you think is happening with the migrants coming in? Which is not a wellness issue to you but lawful visa holders are a well being worry to you?’” Cuellar instructed Border Report.
Prior to the pandemic, 18 million Mexican nationals crossed for every yr and used about $19 billion in the United States, a greater part of which happened in border communities. And when business and trade visitors is back again to close to-ordinary amounts, Cuellar reported border retail product sales are nevertheless down. That features dips of 40 to 50% in his hometown of Laredo, Texas.
According to DHS, vital tourists are people who are:
- U.S. citizens and lawful long-lasting residents returning to the United States.
- Traveling for healthcare uses.
- Touring to show up at instructional institutions.
- Touring to do the job in the United States.
- Touring for unexpected emergency response and general public well being uses, these kinds of as government officers or crisis responders entering the United States to assist federal, point out, regional, tribal, or territorial authorities initiatives to reply to COVID-19 or other emergencies.
- Engaged in lawful cross-border trade.
- Engaged in official governing administration journey or diplomatic travel
- Customers of the U.S. Armed Forces, and the spouses and youngsters of users of the U.S. Armed Forces, returning to the United States and people engaged in military-associated journey or operations.