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.