ENTERING THE U.S. HAS CHANGED • WHTI Land and Sea Final Rule - Implementation to Occur on June 1, 2009 • Information on new land and sea entry requirements for U.S. citizens • Apply for the new passport card for land and sea border crossings 2008 Request for Applications from educational institutions interested in participating in the U.S. - Mexico Training, Internships, Exchanges, and Scholarships (TIES) Partnership Initiative. Up to $250,000 will be awarded in the following areas: • Strengthening Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Higher Education for Rural Development • Rule of Law • Conservation of Biodiversity and Economic Growth • English Language Education The deadline for receipt of applications is June 20, 2008. The RFA is available on HED's Request for Applications website — Art Exhibit — New York Abstract Expressionism A selection of works by Robert Motherwell at the Dolores Olmedo Museum in Mexico City February 23 - May 25

Embassy Highlights

Condolences and Outrage at Death of Edgar Millan Gomez
May 8, 2008 - Garza: “Over the past four days in Washington, I have spoken with President Bush, members of Congress, Senators and officials in the executive branch, sharing personally with the leadership of both parties the countless stories of bravery by Mexican officials against organized crime. I urged our elected officials to approve the Merida Initiative, which I believe is a critical element for enhancing our joint fight against these criminals.” (complete text)

Mexico’s Press in the Crossfire: World Press Freedom Day.
Op-Ed by Ambassador Garza published on May 3, 2008, in Spanish by Mexican newsgroup Reforma: “As Mexico moves forward to end the impunity of the narco-criminals, let us call as well for an end to the impunity of violence against journalists, for full investigations of the cases of Brad Will and the others who have lost their lives protecting our freedoms, and a better day for journalists in Mexico.” (complete text)

Ambassador Garza Expresses his Condolences to the Family of Roberto Velasco Bravo
May 2, 2008 - Garza: “I am saddened by the brutal murder last night of Mr. Roberto Velasco Bravo, Director of Investigations for the Sensitive Investigations Unit of the Federal Police (SSP).... On behalf of the U.S. Mission in Mexico, I extend my deepest condolences to Mr. Velasco’s family, colleagues, and friends... I sincerely hope the perpetrators of this heinous crime will swiftly be arrested and brought to justice.” (complete text)

North American Leaders' Summit Joint Statement by President Bush, President Calderon, Prime Minister Harper Joint Press Availability Photo Album

State Department Issues Updated Travel Alert
April 14, 2008 - Garza: “Mexico remains an important tourist destination for U.S. citizens, with over twelve million Americans visiting Mexico each year for business, vacation, or to visit family and friends. It is important that these visitors have accurate and current information to make wise decisions in order to avoid potentially dangerous situations. For this reason, the State Department has revised and reissued a Travel Alert for Mexico to provide travelers with up-to-date information.” (complete text)

U.S. Fugitive Cesar Laurean Arrested by Mexican Authorities
April 10, 2008 - Garza: “Strong cooperation between Mexican and U.S. authorities increasingly ensures that those who commit crimes in either country will ultimately face capture and prosecution no matter where they might try to hide.” (complete text)

Visit to Ciudad Juarez
April 4, 2008 - Garza: “We support President Calderon’s initiative and also take this criminal activity seriously. Narco-violence and crime affects the lives of citizens on both sides of our shared border, and we must be resolute in going after these menaces to our society and way of life. Today I met with U.S. government law enforcement agents and others knowledgeable about the situation in Ciudad Juarez.” (complete text)

Groundbreaking Ceremony in Tijuana: Excerpts of Remarks
April 3, 2008 - Garza: “The construction of this new Consulate is a sign of just how important the bilateral relationship is. We are constructing this building for the future, a common future, that we share each day more, something we have done for centuries and will continue doing forever.” (complete text)

Message from Ambassador Garza regarding the formal launch of the U.S.-Mexico Partnership for Breast Cancer Awareness and Research March 14, 2008 – “Over the past two days, my wife Mariasun and I joined U.S. First Lady Laura Bush and Mexico’s First Lady Margarita Zavala to formally launch the U.S.-Mexico Partnership for Breast Cancer Awareness and Research. This Partnership seeks to bring together experts from the U.S. and Mexico in the fight against breast cancer.” (complete text)

U.S. First Lady Laura Bush and Mexico's First Lady Margarita Zavala bear witness to the signing of the Partnership by Ms. Bertha Aguilar, President of the CIM*ab Foundation; Dr. Alejandro Mojar, Director General of the National Cancer Institute; Dr. Kendra Woods, Director of Extramural Programs of the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center; and Mrs. Hala Moddelmog, President and CEO of 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure'.

Gustavo Rivera Martinez Arrest Strikes at Arellano Cartel
March 12, 2008 - Garza: “This most recent arrest demonstrates Calderon’s continuing commitment to ensure his country is protected from the criminal elements that seek to undermine security and public safety on both sides of the border. The United States shares this commitment and stands with Calderon and the Mexican people in this critical fight.” (complete text)

Amb. Garza speaks at the launch of the 'Take it to Heart' program at the Carso Institute
March 11, 2008 - Garza: “Early Detection Is the Difference between Watching Your Children Grow up or Having a Life Cut Short. ‘Take It to Heart’ Can Help Make that Difference.” (complete text)

First Lady Laura Bush in Mexico to Launch Breast Cancer Awareness Initiative
March 5, 2008 - “We have been working with our Mexican partners to create an effective program since the First Lady announced, in July 2007, that Mexico would be part of the Partnership for Breast Cancer Awareness and Research of the Americas during the White House Conference on the Americas.... It is a great honor to have Mrs. Bush personally take part in our launch of the Partnership in Mexico.” (complete text)

Ministers issue Security and Prosperity declaration in Mexico February 28, 2008 - Ministers of the three member countries of the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America issued a statement laying the bases for the April, 2008, North America leader summit to be held in New Orleans. Click on the following to read the complete text of the joint statement.

Ambassador Garza Speaks at the American Chamber of Commerce on the U.S.-Mexico Relationship
February 25, 2008 - “There are challenges ahead, but the United States and Mexico are working hard to create a safer, more competitive environment. By continuing to ask the tough, strategic questions about where we are headed, our leaders can do what is necessary to make North America the most democratic, safe, and prosperous continent on Earth.” (complete text)

Full text of remarks

Acting Together We Are Stronger. Acting Together We Succeed.
Op-Ed by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez and U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff published in Spanish by Mexican daily El Universal: “It is our good fortune to be bordered by unique and sovereign nations that are democracies, allies and friends. Through meetings like the one this week in Mexico, common solutions to our challenges can be found that will bring about a better tomorrow for the people of Canada, the United States and Mexico.” (complete text)

Cooperation on the National Infrastructure Program Means Opportunity for U.S. and Mexican Business
February 14, 2008 - Garza: “From February 26 to 28, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) is coordinating the U.S. and Mexico: Building Partnerships in Infrastructure Conference. We are hosting this conference in Mexico City to give an opportunity to American companies to find partners in Mexico as part of President Calderon’s visionary National Infrastructure Program.” (complete text)

Ambassador Garza Promotes Travel to the U.S. at the Expo Vacaciones Tourism Fair
February 12, 2008 - Garza: “Expo Vacaciones gives tourism professionals the latest information on travel destinations in the United States.... But tourism also represents a unique medium for people-to-people exchange, improving the ties of friendship and common values that exist between our countries.” (complete text)

Special Events during February “Prosperity Month”
February 6, 2008 - Garza: “Prosperity is... creating opportunities for citizens, working for a secure environment, providing full employment, and assisting those only marginally involved in the economic life of their country to participate fully.... February is ‘Prosperity Month’ and during this period the U.S. Embassy will be involved in a variety of activities to meet these goals on both sides of the border.” (complete text)

President Bush and President Calderon Exchange Views on a Wide Range of Issues
February 5, 2008 - Garza: “What is obvious to me is that both our Presidents have a clear sense of what must be done in order to address the extraordinarily complex issues facing our two countries at this time. Without a doubt, they are both devoted to advancing our partnership at every level, to ensure the security and enhance the prosperity of both of our peoples.” (complete text)

U.S. Embassy Accepting Applications for New Passport Card
January 31, 2008 - Garza: “I am pleased to announce that the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Mexico will begin processing applications February 1 for the new Passport Card. I was first in line to apply for this card, which can be used for travel across land borders into the U.S.” (complete text)

NAFTA brings prosperity
Op-Ed by Ambassador Garza published by daily El Universal on January 31, 2008: "Beyond our efforts to keep our domestic economy strong, we are also generating new trade and investment by integrating our markets with those of our hemispheric neighbors via free trade agreements. As President Bush has stated, “Trade brings better jobs and better choices and better prices.” These translate into tangible benefits for farmers, workers, entrepreneurs, and consumers across the Americas." (complete text)

The State of the Union – Forward Looking and Strong
January 28, 2008 - Garza: “President Bush announced that the next North American Leaders’ Summit will be held in the great city of New Orleans this year, where he will undoubtedly have the opportunity to discuss the importance of the Merida Initiative with President Felipe Calderon and the need to build upon our already strong partnership in order to stem the rising tide of narco-related violence on both sides of our border.” (complete text)

Ambassador Garza Congratulates Mexico on Capture of a Top Sinaloa Cartel Narcotrafficker
January 21, 2008 - “When Mexico takes dangerous criminals like Beltran Leyva and his crew off the streets, the people of the United States also benefit. Our continued commitment to working with our Mexican government and law enforcement partners in the battle against these criminals is stronger than ever, and together we will succeed in taking our streets and communities back for the citizens of both our nations.” (complete text)

Our Continued Efforts Will Deny Firearms to Criminal Organizations and Reduce Gun Violence
January 16, 2008 - “Today I am announcing that the U.S. government is increasing its ongoing efforts to stem the illegal flow of firearms to Mexico, to deprive drug trafficking organizations of firearms and to reduce gun-related violence on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border.” (complete text)

Non-Immigrant Visa Fees to Increase World-wide on January 1, 2008
December 13, 2007 – On January 1, 2008, the fee to apply for any non-immigrant visa to enter the United States, including tourist, business, student and other visas, will increase to $131 dollars world-wide. This same fee increase will also apply to Border Crossing Cards (commonly known as “Laser Visas”) for applicants in Mexico. (complete text)

United States Peace Corps Volunteers Promote Economic Development and Environmental Conservation
December 19, 2007 – In a ceremony in Queretaro twenty new Peace Corps volunteers were inducted into service. Representatives from Mexico’s National Council for Science and Technology (CONACYT) and the Secretariat of the Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), also attended the ceremony. The program is now entering its fourth year and the induction of these new volunteers brings the total number in Mexico to 55.(complete text)

Garza: Gulf Cartel Arrests in Tamaulipas Demonstrate Calderon’s Determination and Results
December 12, 2007 – "I congratulate President Calderon and the Mexican government on the arrests yesterday of Marco Antonio Ramirez del Rio, number three in the Gulf Cartel, and two associates, which once more demonstrate the Calderon administration’s firm determination to confront the drug cartels head-on." (complete text)

Treasury Designates Financial Empire of Key Mexican Money Launderer Blanca Margarita Cazares Salazar
Washington, D.C, December 12, 2007 – The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) today designated Mexican money launderer Blanca Margarita Cazares Salazar (Blanca Cazares) and 19 companies and 22 individuals in Mexico that are part of her financial network as specially designated narcotics traffickers subject to economic sanctions pursuant to the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act. (complete text) – Statement by the White House Press Secretary

Bilateral Cooperation Nets $1,140,000 in False Currency
December 12, 2007 – Garza: "This action followed a joint operation in May of this year in which several leaders of this criminal organization were arrested in the U.S. and in Mexico. I applaud the ongoing cooperation between U.S. and Mexican law enforcement and banking authorities, and am confident that it will lead to further arrests and ultimately disband this and other international counterfeiting rings." (complete text)

Travel Document Entry Requirements for U.S. and Canadian Citizens to Apply at Land and Sea Borders from January 31, 2008
December 5, 2007 – Adult travelers from the U.S., Canada, and Bermuda without a valid passport will be required to present both proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate, and proof of identity, such as a driver’s license, when entering the United States through land and sea ports of entry. (complete text)

SENTRI and FAST Lanes Help Business, Tourism and Security
December 4, 2007 – Garza: “Both the SENTRI program and the FAST lanes are excellent examples of cross-border cooperation that improves the lives of people on both sides of the border by minimizing the delays for individuals and companies to get where they need to go and to improve businesses and lives.” (complete text)

Mexico And The U.S. -- Partners In The Fight Against AIDS
Op-Ed by Ambassador Garza published by the Milenio newsgroup on December 1, 2007: "The foundation of success in the endeavor to fight AIDS in Mexico has been based upon true collaboration. These cooperative relationships are founded in the profound sense of dignity and worth of every human life, and in trust and mutual respect between the peoples of our nations. Working together to unleash the power of partnerships, the American people and the people of Mexico are committed to win this fight — together." (complete text)