
That means Mexican nationals who have undergone background, fingerprint and security checks may receive Border Crossing Cards that permit them to travel to Deming.
Previously, Border Crossing Card holders had a 25-mile restriction, which did not allow them to travel to Deming.
Customs and Border Protection Acting Commissioner Thomas Winkowski said increasing the border zone in New Mexico will allow his department to better allocate resources by reducing unnecessary paperwork burdens associated with the Form I-94 process.
Current Department of Homeland Security regulations state that certain nonimmigrant Mexican nationals presenting a Border Crossing Card are not required to complete a CPB Form I-94 if they are staying within 25 miles of the border.
That regulation will now be amended to 55 miles.
Senator Tom Udall said extending the border commercial zone to include additional communities of Deming, Las Cruces and Lordsburg will be a key boost to the economies of those southern New Mexico communities. He said businesses have sought the rule change for years to put New Mexico on a level playing field with other border states.
Arizona, for example, has had a 75-mile border commercial zone since 1999.