CHAMBER LED BINATIONAL DELEGATION IN MEXICO CITY ADVOCATING FOR CALI-BAJA PRIORITIES
80+ member delegation in Mexico’s capital city to work on strengthening the U.S.-MX relationship and economy and advocating for funding for border infrastructure and environmental projects
SAN DIEGO (October 9, 2023) – A group of nearly 90 business and community leaders from San Diego and Baja California – including Mayor Todd Gloria and San Diego County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Nora Vargas – are in Mexico City to champion U.S.-Mexico relations and advance issues critical to the success of the binational business community.
The San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce’s 17th annual Binational Delegation to Mexico City is back with a list of priorities to advance the border region. Beginning Sunday, October 8, and running through Wednesday, October 11, the group is meeting with Mexican leaders and government officials to help strengthen economic and diplomatic ties and discuss opportunities for collaboration in border infrastructure and environmental projects.
"The Chamber is very proud to lead this binational delegation to Mexico City for the 17th year. Our mission is, and always has, been clear: collaboration between nations is not a choice; it's an imperative,” said Jerry Sanders, President and CEO of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce. “At the heart of Mexico's vibrant capital, we aim to build bridges of opportunity and collaboration that will benefit both the San Diego and Cali-Baja regions. Together, we unlock the potential that lies in our partnerships, fostering economic growth and quality of life for our border communities.”
“San Diego is a proud binational region with deep connections to Mexico,” said Mayor Todd Gloria. “Throughout the year, we work to strengthen our U.S.-Mexico ties, and over the next few days we bring this united voice to the nation’s capital to address issues like immigration, cross-border pollution, and reducing border wait times.”
“As a proud Fronteriza and the first Latina Chairwoman in the County of San Diego’s 200-year history, I’ve had a lifelong commitment to emphasize the importance of the binational relationships between the U.S. and Mexico, and the people that make up our region,” said Chairwoman Nora Vargas. “We must prioritize some of the shared challenges in our binational region for the network of infrastructure along our border, including critical projects at Tijuana River Valley and East Otay Mesa. We’re tirelessly working with partners on both sides of the border to make sure our shared priorities align and advance together. Mexico is our cultural and economic partner. Together, we unlock countless opportunities for trade, investment, and growth, benefiting the entire binational community. Competing globally here in the Cali-Baja region means leveraging each other's strengths. With Mexico, we combine talent, resources, and innovation to build stronger and healthier communities.”
“My goal is to have the delegation trip strengthen the bi-national commerce relationship and to promote business investment opportunities in the City of Chula Vista and the San Diego region. Mexico is the largest trading partner with the United States and we need to work together to create security, prosperity, and improve the quality of life in the San Diego-Tijuana Economic Region,” said Chula Vista Mayor John McCann.
The delegation represents a diverse mix of leaders from San Diego and Baja-based industries, organizations, and elected officials including:
● San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria
● San Diego County Board of Supervisors and SANDAG Chairwoman Nora Vargas
● Baja Secretary of Tourism Miguel Aguíñiga
● California State Assemblymember Tasha Boener
● San Diego Councilmembers Vivian Moreno and Marni von Wilpert
● Tijuana City Councilmembers Juan Carlos Hank and Rogelia Arzola
● Chula Vista Mayor John McCann and Councilmember Carolina Chavez
● Coronado Councilmember John Duncan
● Ambassador Carlos Gonzales Gutierrez Consul General of Mexico in San Diego.
Delegates are meeting with a variety of Mexican federal agencies and representatives to strengthen the California-Mexico economic and diplomatic relationship, convey support and appreciation for binational efforts to address transboundary pollution impacting the Tijuana River Valley in the region, and inquire about funding resources to advance border infrastructure and efficiency and how the Chamber and the private sector can support.
The trip agenda includes meetings with:
● Members of the Mexican Senate to discuss opportunities to strengthen bilateral relationships.
● Roberto Velasco, Chief Officer for the North America Unit, Mexican Secretariat of Foreign Affairs
● Secretary of Tourism, Miguel Torruco Marqués
● Commissioner Adriana Resendez, Mexican Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC)
● Salvador Lopez, Chief Environmental Officer, NADBank
● José Gutiérrez Ramírez, Engineering and Binational Affairs Manager, National Water Commission (CONAGUA)
● Dr. Francisco Garduño Yáñez, Comissioner, National Institute of Migration (INM)
View the full agenda here
The San Diego Regional Chamber is the only chamber to lead annual binational delegation trips to the U.S. and Mexico capital cities.
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Rep. Vargas' Statement on Court Ruling DHS Secretary's DACA Rules Invalid and Unlawful
Washington, D.C. (November 16, 2020) – Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51) released the following statement after a federal judge ruled that Chad Wolf was unlawfully appointed as Department of Homeland Security (DHS) acting secretary. Subsequently, DHS lacked the authority to limit DACA applications and renewals.
Earlier this year, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the means in which the Trump administration ended DACA was illegal under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA).
"I’m not surprised that the Trump administration broke the law while trying to end the DACA program. This administration tried to end DACA, and the Supreme Court blocked their attempt. Chad Wolf was not legally serving as acting DHS secretary when he set his DACA rules, those rules are now invalid and justice has been served."
"This is a huge win for DREAMers who have every right to be here. The Trump administration’s anti-immigrant actions are solely founded on hate and an obsession with undermining Obama-era policies. The House has already passed the bipartisan Dream and Promise Act, I once again urge the Senate to be on the right side of history and take it up for a vote.”
Vargas represents California’s 51st Congressional District which includes the southern portion of San Diego County, all of Imperial County, and California’s entire U.S.-Mexico border. Vargas was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012 and is currently serving his fourth term in Congress. He serves on the House Financial Services Committee and House Foreign Affairs Committee.
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DELEGACIÓN BINACIONAL LIDERADA POR LA CÁMARA DE COMERCIO DE SAN DIEGO ABOGANDO PORPRIORIDADES BINACIONALES EN CDMX
La relación entre México-Estados Unidos, la infraestructura y eficiencia fronteriza, proyectos ambientales y economía son temas prioritarios para la delegación viajando a CDMX
SAN DIEGO (9 de octubre de 2023) – La 17ª delegación binacional anual de la Cámara Regional de Comercio de San Diego a la Ciudad de México regresa para impulsar una lista de prioridades para la región fronteriza. Alrededor de 90 líderes empresariales y comunitarios de San Diego y Baja California viajarán a la Ciudad de México para fortalecer las relaciones entre Estados Unidos y México y promover temas de vital importancia para el éxito de la comunidad empresarial binacional.
Esta semana, el grupo se reunirá con líderes y funcionarios del gobierno federal mexicano para fortalecer lazos económicos y diplomáticos y explorar oportunidades de colaboración en proyectos ambientales e infraestructura fronteriza.
Por su parte, el Secretario de Turismo de Baja California, Miguel Aguíñiga Rodríguez destacó la importancia de la colaboración entre ambos países: "En Baja California estamos comprometidos con impulsar políticas e iniciativas que beneficien a nuestras economías. Nuestra región es un modelo de éxito transfronterizo, y es esencial fortalecer aún más los lazos de colaboración para seguir trabajando en la promoción de nuestras riquezas naturales, culturales y comerciales".
La delegación representa una mezcla diversa de industrias, organizaciones y funcionarios gubernamentales con sede en San Diego y Baja California, entre ellos:
● Alcalde de San Diego Todd Gloria
● Presidenta del Consejo de Supervisores del Condado de San Diego Nora Vargas
● Secretario de Turismo del Gobierno de Baja California, Miguel Aguíñaga
● Embajador Carlos González Gutiérrez, Cónsul General de México en San Diego
● Alcalde de Chula Vista John McCann
Durante el viaje, los delegados también se reunieron con:
• Miembros del Senado mexicano para dialogar sobre oportunidades para fortalecer las relaciones bilaterales.
• Roberto Velasco, Jefe de la Unidad paraAmérica del Norte, Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores de México
• Miguel Torruco Marqués, Secretario de Turismo
• Comisionada Adriana Resendez, Sección Mexicana de la Comisión Internacional de Límites y Aguas (CILA)
• Salvador López, Director Ejecutivo de Asuntos Ambientales, NADBank
• José Gutiérrez Ramírez, Gerente de Ingeniería y Asuntos Binacionales, Comisión Nacional del Agua (CONAGUA)
• Dr. Francisco Garduño Yáñez, Comisionado, Instituto Nacional de Migración (INM)
La Cámara Regional de Comercio de San Diego es la única Cámara que lidera anualmente delegaciones binacionales a las capitales de Estados Unidos y México. Como la organización empresarial de mayor tamaño en la costa oeste, y apoyada por sus miembros en la región binacional de San Diego y Baja California, la Cámara actúa como la principal voz del sector empresarial y representa un esfuerzo unido en nombre de la comunidad.
Acerca de la Cámara Regional de Comercio de San Diego:
La Cámara Regional de Comercio San Diego es el centro de conexiones y colaboración entre la comunidad empresarial regional, y utiliza esta plataforma para abogar por políticas públicas y candidatos que apoyen el crecimiento económico y la creación de empleos para todas las industrias. Para obtener más información, visite SDChamber.org o llame al 619-544-1300.
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