VIDEO: The Important Economic Bond Between The United States and Mexico

Two weeks ago, NDN/NPI participated in the Office of Congressman Silvestre Reyes' and The University of Texas at El Paso's (UTEP) Eighth Annual Border Security Conference, and the Southwest Border Mayors meeting, both in El Paso Texas.

While there, we were able to sit down with Nelson Balido, President of the Border Trade Alliance and Adam Salerno, Director of National Security & Emergency Preparedness Department at the Chamber of Commerce to talk about the importance of the US-Mexico border.

In his interview, Salerno contextualizes the importance of the United States relationship with Mexico by noting that United States exports, creating 1.7 million jobs domestically a year.

Nelson Balido, adds that jobs in Mexico equal jobs in the United States.

Balido also notes that a billion dollars crosses the border a day, and this also creates jobs in the United States.

At the end of the video above, Balido notes that the real long term gain for increasing legal trade and movement of people across the border will be seen in the tourism industry. Salerno seconds this view and adds that what we really need now is a comprehensive overhaul of our immigration system that will enhance the legal movement of people into the United States.