August 10 2004

The Department of Homeland Security has expanded the time restrictions for Mexican nationals entering the U.S. temporarily on Border Crossing Cards (BCC). Current rules limit BCC holders to visits up to 72 hours within the border zone of 25 miles of the California, Texas, and New Mexico border, and within 100 miles of the Arizona border.

The rule will extend the time limit for BCC holders from 72 hours to 30 days. Only those Mexican visitors wishing to enter for longer then 30 days, or to travel beyond the border zone will need to be processed through US-VISIT at the border.