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.”

To view an issue brief by Rice University’s Baker Institute over the economic impact of coronavirus on Texas border communities, click here.

“I feel ecstatic. After a long wait, these are extremely great times for the overall U.S-Mexico border,” said Mayor of Laredo Pete Saenz. “So many businesses have been affected that depend on Mexican shoppers, especially in the Laredo downtown area. From a local economic perspective, 30-40% percent of sales tax is derived from Mexican shoppers who visit our community on a yearly basis. On a personal note, I feel an immense amount of joy for those who will finally reunite with family and friends after 19 months. This is a true celebration especially with the holidays right around the corner. Our vaccination rates continue to be the best in the State of Texas, which represents more safety to those who will be visiting us in the upcoming months.” 

Fully vaccinated non-essential foreign nationals entering the U.S. by land and ferry ports of entry will be required to provide proof of full vaccination. The vaccine must be approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) or the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.  

The following vaccines have been approved by the WHO: Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, Janssen/J&J, AstraZeneca, Covishield, BIBP/Sinopharm, and Sinovac. 

People are to be considered fully vaccinated:

• 2 weeks (14 days) after an accepted single-dose vaccine
• 2 weeks (14 days) after your second dose of an accepted 2-dose series
• 2 weeks (14 days) after you received the full series of an active (not placebo) COVID-19 vaccine in the U.S.-based AstraZeneca or Novavax COVID-19 vaccine trials
• 2 weeks (14 days) after you received 2 doses of any “mix-and-match” combination of accepted COVID-19 vaccines administered at least 17 days apart*

Individuals that don’t meet these requirements, will NOT considered as fully vaccinated.

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Congressman Henry Cuellar is a senior member of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee. Previously, he served as a Texas State Representative and Texas Secretary of State.  Sign up to receive Congressman Cuellar’s E-mail Newsletters 
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Por favor tomen en cuenta el congresista Cuellar habla inglés y español con fluidez