Families and small businesses impacted
The border restrictions have been devastating for binational communities, dividing families whose lives bridge an international border and hurting businesses dependent on the cross-border traffic.
The Trump administration billed the restrictions, which took effect at midnight March 21, 2020, as a ban on “non-essential” travel to prevent the spread of COVID-19. In practice, it effectively prevented Mexican nationals holding tourist visas from crossing.
In cities such as El Paso and Laredo, Texas; Las Cruces, New Mexico; Nogales, Arizona; and Calexico, California, the policy has left shops empty of the Mexican customers who often buy wholesale to sell in retail shops back home. The effects ripple out to communities beyond the border that have historic ties to Mexico, from Phoenix to Albuquerque and Dallas.
The U.S. secretary of state s visit and wayward seals: In The News for Feb. 26
President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken listen as Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks during a virtual bilateral meeting, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021, in Washington. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Evan Vucci February 26, 2021 - 1:19 AM
In The News is a roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed to kickstart your day. Here is what s on the radar of our editors for the morning of Feb. 26 .
What we are watching in Canada .
OTTAWA â The pandemic diplomacy at work between the United States and Canada is continuing, this time with the secretary of state.
Two years ago, even before launching his presidential bid, Joe Biden told Western European leaders that President Donald Trump’s American First foreign.
By CONOR FINNEGAN, ABC News
(WASHINGTON) Secretary of State Antony Blinken is making his first trip as the top U.S. diplomat, the State Department said, although he s not really going anywhere.
With the Biden administration s coronavirus travel restrictions still in place, Blinken will hold meetings and attend cultural events with his Mexican and Canadian counterparts on Friday via video teleconference from Washington.
But the agency, keen to show that the new administration is actively working with U.S. allies, is launching a series of virtual trips with Blinken, where he will meet foreign leaders and local U.S. embassy staff, visit different cities and cultural sites, announce new policies or agreements and hold press conferences, just as he would on a real trip.