The US and Mexico have agreed to limit non-essential travel at the southern border due to the COVID-19 emergency response. Effective Saturday, March 21, 2020 at midnight (00:00).
Here’s what we know:
- The border is not closed!
- Commercial traffic and goods by truck and rail will still cross.
- US citizens and legal permanent residents will also be able to cross the US border. You will not be stuck in Mexico.
- Individuals traveling to attend educational institutions will be allowed to travel into the US.
- People with work visas will be allowed to travel into the US.
- Travel for emergency response, medical and public health reasons will still be allowed.
- Non-essential travel, meaning tourists and visitors, will be prevented from crossing the border as part of the restrictions.
- Migrants without legal visas, including asylum seekers, will also not be allowed to cross.
The following individuals will be also be allowed to travel into the United States:
- Individuals engaged in official government travel or diplomatic travel.
- Members of the U.S. Armed Forces, and the spouses and children of members of the U.S. Armed Forces, returning to the United States.
- Individuals engaged in military-related travel or operations.
The New Mexico Border Authority will provide additional information as it becomes available. For additional information, see document scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on 03/24/2020 and available online at federalregister.gov/d/2020-06217, and on govinfo.gov.