El Paso Congressman Silvestre Reyes has asked Mexico's President, Ernesto Zedillo, to consider increasing the current $50 dollar federal exemption on importing U.S. goods to $400 dollars per person, at a 45 minute meeting with Zedillo during U.S. President Clinton's May visit to Mexico. Congressman Reyes pointed out that residents crossing from Ciudad Juarez into El Paso are allowed to cross $400 in Mexican merchandise and the change would equalize the exemption between the two countries and help boost the economy in central El Paso.
The Center for Border Economic Development of Texas, based in El Paso, has joined the Congressman's call to increase the exemption for Mexicans, stating that Mexico's economic crisis and the $50 limit have had a devastating effect on the central El Paso economy, where more than 60 businesses have closed their doors.
No official response from President Zedillo toward Congressman Reyes' proposal has been reported.
Sources: El Norte, Diario de Juarez