An OverviewAn Overview

By: Luis Ramirez Thomas, MSFSBy: Luis Ramirez Thomas, MSFS

Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C.

May 12, 2011May 12, 2011

THE REALITIES OF THE BORDER:THE REALITIES OF THE BORDER:ARIZONA - SONORAARIZONA - SONORA

KEY ISSUES IMPACTING THE BORDER

• Border wait times increasing, in excess of 45+ minutes in 24-hour cycle

• Increased documentary requirements

• Outdate infrastructure with enhanced requirements

• “Negative perception” of the border

• Economic slowdown → disincentive to travel

• DHS southbound inspections

• Need to enhance sharing of information/resources with Mexico

• Decrease flow of tourists means drop in sales tax revenues

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DELAYS DUE TO SOUTHBOUND INSPECTIONSDELAYS DUE TO SOUTHBOUND INSPECTIONS

Source: US Census BureauRAMIREZ ADVISORS INTER-NATIONAL, LLC

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MX

US

Vehicular back up leaving the US at San Luis, Arizona

NORTH BOUND DELAYSNORTH BOUND DELAYS

Source: US Census BureauRAMIREZ ADVISORS INTER-NATIONAL, LLC

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Mexican Inspection

US Inspection

N

MX

US

Southbound

ADOT

Northbound

Cattle Pens

FAST Lanes

ARIZONA IN PERSPECTIVE (CONTD.)ARIZONA IN PERSPECTIVE (CONTD.)

Source: US Census BureauRAMIREZ ADVISORS INTER-NATIONAL, LLC

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ARIZONA–MEXICO RELATIONSHIPBY THE NUMBERS

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WHAT DOES MEXICO MEAN FOR ARIZONA?

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WHAT DOES MEXICO MEAN FOR ARIZONA?

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OUR BORDER

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THE PERCEPTION OF THE BORDER

• National negative perception of the border

• National and global perception of Arizona

• State legislative initiatives on immigration and the polarizing effect on the state and the nation

• Mexico’s perception of Arizona

• Arizona is the main front on the battle against narcotrafficking, human smuggling, money laundering, and the flow of weapons into Mexico

• Dwindling resources committed to the ports of entry

• Most critical: Increasing wait times to cross legally!!!!!!!

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A BRIGHTER TOMORROW

• NAFTA trade is booming

• Volumes back to pre-2008 levels!

• New records at Nogales for number of trucks processed

• Almost 2,000 trucks in one day!

Source: Ministry of the Economy of Mexico

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A BRIGHTER TOMORROW

• Border Mayors coming together

• Change the image of the border

• Focus on long-term, sustainable economic growth

• Coordinated efforts to promote infrastructure investment

• Arizona-Sonora border is getting close to $400 million in infrastructure investment

• Nogales, Lukeville and San Luis

• We have a strong foundation of trade and tourism at the border

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