New Mexico Border Zone Expanded For Mexican Travelers

By Mónica Ortiz Uribe
June 07, 2013

The Department of Homeland Security approved New Mexico's request to extend its border commercial zone Friday.

The new rule means Mexican visitors will soon be able to travel further into the state without having to fill out more paperwork.

Currently Mexicans with border crossing cards, or tourist visas, are only allowed to travel 25 miles into the state. DHS will now extend that travel zone to 55 miles.

The new travel zone will include the cities of Las Cruces, Deming and Lordsburg.

Arizona made a similar expansion in 1999. New Mexico's two senators pushed for this extension years ago, saying the move would benefit the border economy.