June 24, 2020

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 is likely to cause substantial economic uncertainty and limit our ability to move toward a swift economic recovery. Our economy depends on visa programs which support business growth, research, and investment. In fact, multiple studies have shown that employing foreign workers whose abilities and talents complement those of native-born workers actually creates new employment opportunities for American workers. For example, each H-1B visa leads to the creation of 1.83 jobs.

The Chamber issued a statement urging for the reversal of this action and had previously submitted a letter to the administration.

June 24, 2020

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 DACA program and has issued letters in support of maintaining the program. Nearly 800,000 DACA recipients, also known as Dreamers, are a vital part of the U.S. economy and nearly a third of all DACA recipients are essential workers helping communities through this pandemic, with 29,000 serving as  health care professionals working on the front lines.  We urge Congress to take up legislation to make this program permanent and prevent future uncertainty for our communities and economy.

June 24, 2020

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 businesses, and participants shared the urgency to collaboratively follow health protocols, mitigate the spread of the virus, and ease restrictions at the border. Results from a recent survey on the economic impact of COVID-19 on Baja’s business community are available here (in Spanish).

Industry businesses and public spaces including restaurants, hotels, parks, and outdoor recreational centers are now open in the Cities of Tijuana and Ensenada. Companies are required to obtain a COVID-19-Free Work Spaces certification through Baja’s State government and comply with a list of precautionary measures including limiting access to 25% of their capacity. Local authorities are conducting inspections to ensure establishments comply with health protocols. For San Diego specific reopening guidelines and financial resources from city ,state or federal authorities, please visit the San Diego Tourism Authority’s blog and website.

As we prepare for the July 1 implementation date of the new trade agreement, the Chamber along with the Consulate General of Mexico in San Diego, U.S. Consulate General in Tijuana, and the Consulate General of Canada in Los Angeles will host a discussion on the treaty’s benefits and economic opportunities for our binational region. This forum will take place Tuesday, June 30 from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. Registration is open now.

June 23, 2020

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. This will decrease wait times at the border and ensure our cross-border workforce continues to have an access to the ports of entry.

Normal operating hours at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry have been restored. Vehicle and pedestrian lanes have resumed operating 24 hours a day. Please visit the official website and social media pages for updates on port operations.

Cross Border Xpress (CBX) will resume 24 hour northbound operations starting July 5. Its southbound operations have remained open 24 hours a day. For more information, visit the CBX website.