Category: International

An executive order issued this week suspended numerous work visas and expands existing restrictions until the end of 2020. Impacted visas include the H-1B program for skilled workers; L-1 visas for executives; J-1 visas for scholars and professors; and H-2B visas used by seasonal workers, such as in the construction and hospitality industries. This action […]

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled against the presidential administration’s move to terminate the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. The program, which began in 2012, provides temporary protection from deportation to qualified individuals who arrived in the U.S. as children and allows them to work and attend school. The Chamber has long supported […]

The Chamber co-hosted a webinar focused on the tourism industry to continue promoting binational coordination as businesses begin to open. Entities from both sides of the border talked about the economic impact of COVID-19 and shared best practices as they begin to resume operations. Travel restrictions continue to be one of the main challenges for […]

The temporary restrictions on non-essential travel across shared ports of entry between Canada, the U.S., and Mexico have been extended for an additional 30 days to July 21. As businesses have begun to reopen, the Chamber has urged U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to restore operating lanes and staffing at our ports of entry. […]

U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. General Services Administration announced the start of the Otay Mesa Land Port of Entry Expansion Project. The $137.2 million modernization and expansion project includes the expansion of northbound commercial truck inspection areas—increasing the pedestrian inspection facility from six to twelve lanes—and the construction of visitor parking and […]

The Supreme Court in Mexico has ruled that Baja Governor Jaime Bonilla’s extended term of five years is unconstitutional. In 2019, Governor Bonilla introduced a state law allowing him to lengthen his two year term in office, a term previously shortened as an effort by Mexican authorities to synchronize electoral calendars nationwide. As a result, […]

The temporary restrictions on non-essential travel across shared ports of entry between Canada, the U.S., and Mexico have been extended for an additional 30 days to June 22. The restrictions were first put in place in March to help control the spread of coronavirus. Initially, cross-border traffic decreased and as a result, U.S. Customs and […]

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the allocation of the full $300 million appropriated in the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act to address trans-boundary pollution impacting the Tijuana River Valley. Funds will be used for the designing, planning, engineering, and construction of wastewater infrastructure at the border. The Chamber commends Senators Diane Feinstein and Kamala […]

April 30 – Weekly Update  This week felt like a roller-coaster ride. Beaches across the county were reopened on Monday, just in time for surfers to view the bio-luminescent “red tide”.  Last night it was reported that Governor Newson would order all beaches and state parks throughout California close by Friday. Then this afternoon, during […]

Earlier this year, Governor Newsom announced his 2020-21 budget which included a significant investment in the Tijuana River Valley. Regional stakeholders, including the Chamber, issued letters of support for the budget request of $35 million for the construction, operation, and maintenance of a series of pollution capture devices and infrastructure projects on the U.S. side […]