(The Center Square) – Some members of the Arizona congressional delegation visited Mexico City last week as the presidency transitions in the country.
Eleven lawmakers, including Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly and Rep. Greg Stanton, met with President Andrés Manuel López Obrador as well as President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum for discussions that involved trade, the economy as well as border and immigration issues, according to a news release.
“At a moment of change in Mexico as they prepare to inaugurate their first woman president, this visit was valuable to deepen cooperation on issues like migration, security, trade, and economic development that are critically intertwined with the United States,” Kelly said in a statement.
“Mexico is one of our most important economic partners, and we see it every day in Arizona with cross-border commerce and travel along our ports of entry that we are working to upgrade. I look forward to partnering with President-elect Sheinbaum and her cabinet to address our shared challenges as we continue strengthening the historic relationship between both of our nations,” he continued.
As Arizona is a border state, the relationship with Mexico places a critical role in both immigration and trade policy, whether its at the state or federal government level. The Tucson Sector is has dealt with nearly 430,000 migrant encounters on its land border with Mexico in fiscal year 2024 alone, with people coming from all over the world.
The Grand Canyon State’s largest international trade partner is Mexico, with $8 billion in exports to the country as of 2023, according to the Office of the United States Trade Representative.
The state and the United States’ relationship with the country could be at a turning point with the change of presidency in October for Mexico and again in the U.S. in January.
As President Joe Biden will no longer seek re-election, there will be a new leader at the helm in 2025 regardless, and the influx of migrants into the country is bound to continue to be a top issue. Former President Donald Trump has previously said he would bring back the “Remain in Mexico” policy for asylum seekers awaiting legal proceedings in the United States if he is brought back to the White House, Fox News reported.
