Senator Mark Kelly Statement on Decision to Resume Border Travel for Vaccinated Visitors

Today, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly released the following statement regarding the federal government’s decision to resume cross border travel in November for vaccinated travelers:

“Arizona border mayors and small business owners have been making clear the devastating impact that the pandemic and these travel restrictions have had on our local economies. It’s about time Washington listened to Arizonans. Arizona will once again be able to welcome customers and tourists who come through ports of entry to visit our state. I will continue working with Republicans and Democrats to ensure smart border security and support border communities through this pandemic to make sure they recover quickly.”

Earlier this year, Sens. Kelly, Cornyn, and Sinema penned a bipartisan letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas urging DHS to commit to a detailed plan and timeline for returning to normal land border travel operations. The mayors of Nogales, San Luis and Douglas, as well as business leaders from the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Douglas International Port Authority, and the AZ Lodging and Tourism Association have also written letters to the Biden administration detailing the devastating impact travel restrictions have had on local border economies. 

Kelly has previously introduced bipartisan legislation to support border businesses and continues to speak with border mayors, small business owners, and stakeholders to ensure that Washington does its part to support Arizona’s border communities and economies.