City of Laredo Facilitates Border Crossing for Mexican Citizens ...

by Roxanna McDade

LAREDO, Texas /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — For 12 years, the City of Laredo has hosted a Paisano Rest Stop to help Mexican citizens returning home from throughout the U.S. have a smoother experience as they return home for the holidays. This unique bi-national project is offered only in Laredo, Texas. The City of Laredo Convention & Visitors Bureau works with the Mexican General Consulate to set-up the rest stop; however, there are many city, state and federal departments and agencies from both sides of the border who come together to provide this service to the paisanos.

This year, the Paisano Rest Stop will be set-up at IH-35 southbound, just off Mile Marker 13 and is set to begin Friday, December 18, at 12 noon and ends at 12 noon on Sunday, December 20, 2009. For 48 continuous hours, the rest stop is staffed with individuals from various agencies, to help review all documents necessary for travelers, as well as any goods or vehicles they may be taking into Mexico. Additionally information about bridge wait times and crossings is given, as well as directions, refreshments, restroom facilities and simply, an opportunity to rest and stretch their legs before continuing on their journey.

This unique binational effort welcomes these often weary travelers and gives them invaluable one stop shop of resources, among the many services provided they can also take advantage of:

  –  Tourism information, such as hotel listings and restaurants;
  –  U.S. Customs regulations for their return trip;
  –  Legitimate nationalization processing business listing;
  –  Complaint and crime reporting procedures with the Mexican Consulate
      and other local agencies;
  –  Volunteer mechanic on standby/on-call to make initial inspection and
      do minor car repairs;
  –  Mexican immigration...

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