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WASHINGTON – Under current regulations, Mexicans with Laser Visa border crossing cards can visit the United States for up to 72 hours, while Canadians traveling in the U.S. can stay for up to six months. in an effort to bring parity to the two borders, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, a member of the Immigration, Border Security and Citizenship subcommittee, introduced legislation Monday to ensure that Mexican tourists, businesspeople and other short-term travelers can stay for up to six months as well. Cornyn introduced the legislation as an amendment to the appropriations bill funding the departments of Commerce, Justice and State."Mexicans visiting with Laser Visas have shown that they are willing to enter this country legally for business or tourism,” Cornyn said. “They invest in our real estate, own businesses and contribute to our economy. They should be allowed to stay as long as Canadians engaged in similar travel.” the Laser Visa (Form DSP-150, a biometric, machine readable B1-B2 visa/Border Crossing Card) allows regular, low risk travelers to cross the U.S.-Mexico border and make positive contributions to the U.S. economy. However, to stay in the country longer than three days, Mexican travelers must submit an I-94 form at a port of entry and pay a $6 fee. The additional hurdles required in order for Mexican nationals to stay in the U.S. longer than the three days slow the process for both travelers and border officials."The economic realities in the border region demand that we increase the length of stay allowed under the Laser Visa,” Cornyn said. “I am committed to helping achieve an entry-exit system that meets our duty of protecting the American people, while facilitating the legitimate traffic and trade along our border.” Cornyn’s legislation was the latest in his efforts to increase commerce in the Rio Grande Valley, and ensure that federal activities in the region be communicated with local officials in a timely manner. As a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Cornyn sent a letter to Asa Hutchinson, under secretary for Border and Transportation Security at the Department of Homeland Security, earlier this month to urge better communication of department activities to border communities. These communities must be kept apprised of department activities, Cornyn said, “as they are directly impacted by policy and decision making, yet are often the last to know when such decisions have been made or policy implemented.” Cornyn co-sponsored the Local Emergency Health Services Reimbursement Act, S.412, in March to help provide funding to doctors, hospitals, localities, states and other health care providers that currently offer uncompensated emergency health care to immigrants. He is also a co-sponsor of the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) Reauthorization Act, S. 460, to assist states whose costs for incarcerating criminal undocumented immigrants continue to exceed federal funding levels. Cornyn introduced the Border Security and Immigration Reform Act of 2003 (S. 1387) in July, a comprehensive immigration reform to develop a guest worker program and strengthen homeland security efforts at the borders.