Calexico’s mayor wants US-Mexico border reopened
CALEXICO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - Calexico Mayor Javier Moreno wants the United States-Mexico border to reopen for non-essential travelers.
Moreno believes that Calexico's economy is on the decline, and that small businesses are taking the hardest hit. He says that about 120,000 people cross into the U.S. from Mexico daily.
Moreno has been in talks with Customs and Border Protection to make a serious effort toward reopenning the border.
"We need to be prepared when we do open the border because all of those people are eager to come here, Calexico is a conduit and we are the 3rd busiest port of entry in California," he said.
Moreno says Mexicali residents have been wanting to come to Calexico to dine and shop. Moreno has been serving as Calexico's new mayor for one month.
Moreno also says that about 30% in revenue has been lost since the start of the pandemic. One local business in Calexico by the name of '1, 2, 3, fashion' says they've struggled but managed to stay open during the pandemic.
Moreno says that about 120,000 people are crossing into the U.S daily right now. He says that preperations must be made for when the border does reopen because that number will go up.
“We need to be prepared when we do open the border because all of those people are eager to come here, Calexico is a conduit and we are the 3rd busiest port of entry in California,” he said.
The city aims to reopen the US-Mexico border on August 21st. Moreno says if it doesnt happen by then, inspections will be eased and more lanes will be added at the Calexico port of entry.
