Luis Ramirez Thomas

Great to host the @VLeadership in Nogales today. Border infrastructure, cross-border trade, and Arizona’s economic future were all on the table. Nogales moves billions in trade annually and connects Arizona to one of its largest trading partners. This community drives commerce.

While in DC, we also took the opportunity to meet with @MexicoProgram to talk about a series of initiatives designed to help decision makers understand the impacts of policies on the border region. An exciting new partnership!

And the @cityofdouglasaz ~$700 million Two-Port Solution, with the new commercial port under construction and advancing a road & utility corridor that will open a new area for industrial/commercial/residential development; @emoctezumab stressing the importance of this project!

@PortNogales/@cityofnogales making the case for the modernization of the DeConcini port of entry, an expansion that will elevate the facility to a Mega-Port status; environmental compliance underway for the ~$1.5 billion project, much to be done!

And it’s a wrap. @StateDept along with @SRE_mx, hosted the 🇺🇸🇲🇽Binational Bridges and Border Crossings meeting in Washington, DC. Two governments gather to focus on the port of entry system that connects both countries. Arizona delegation advocated for keystone projects…

MEXICO | Bilateral trade with the U.S. grew 6.8% to $147.32B through February, contrasting with a 4.5% decline in total U.S. trade. (La República)

Arizona exports to Mexico rose 79.9% over the year in February while imports from Mexico fell 20.0%. bit.ly/4sTdL51

Job opportunities with the Arizona Department of Agriculture in Nogales. See the flyer for more information.

La carrera por la conectividad ya empezó… y México quiere jugar en las grandes ligas C3ntro Telecom apuesta fuerte con una inversión de 5,000 mdp para desplegar 2,500 km de fibra óptica entre Querétaro y Arizona, como parte del proyecto Tikva. El objetivo: responder al boom de la Inteligencia Artificial y el crecimiento acelerado de los Data Centers. Con gigantes tecnológicos como Google, Amazon, Meta y Microsoft impulsando la demanda, se espera que en los próximos años el tráfico de datos se dispare… y México no puede quedarse atrás. El proyecto no solo fortalecerá la infraestructura digital del país, también conectará comunidades, beneficiará a más de 27 millones de personas y aprovechará el nearshoring para posicionar a México como un hub clave en el mapa global de conectividad. ¿Qué te parece? #ExpansiónEmpresas expansion.mx/empresas/2026/…

El Cónsul Mauricio Ibarra participó en el Global Border Summit de The Borderplex Alliance, donde destacó el impacto de la industria mexicana en la economía de Norteamérica y las iniciativas para promover la inversión.

What a week: Phoenix➡️Tucson➡️San Luis➡️Tucson➡️Douglas➡️Nogales➡️Phoenix. Joined @StateDept @USCGNogales @GSA_PBS @CBPArizona and state & local stakeholders to see our ports of entry, the areas of need & understanding their importance for trade, tourism, security.

🔎🚧🇺🇸 Revisan detalles del nuevo puerto de entrada en San Luis, Arizona; en pocas semanas entrará en funcionamiento oem.com.mx/tribunadesanlu…

Queremos extender nuestro más profundo agradecimiento para @ArizonaDOT y su Border Liaison Unit, al Comite de Transporte, Infraestructura y Puertos de la @AzMxCom, al @PortYuma, Douglas Port Authority, @PortNogales, y a las ciudades de @SanLuisAZGov, @cityofdouglasaz, y la @cityofnogales. ¡Gracias por presentarnos sus extraordinarios proyectos de modernización! Juntas, estas obras monumentales representan una inversión federal sin precedentes en la frontera 🇺🇸🇲🇽. Este compromiso histórico de los Estados Unidos fortalecerá significativamente nuestra economía binacional, modernizará nuestro tránsito comercial y mejorará nuestra seguridad regional. Al mirar hacia el futuro a través de nuestra iniciativa #Freedom250, estas inversiones estratégicas reflejan el compromiso continuo de los Estados Unidos con la innovación y con la construcción de una frontera más próspera y segura para los próximos 250 años.

The @StateDept and @USGSA tour of Arizona's ports of entry concluded with great success in Nogales! 🤝 Our city will host the most ambitious renovation project on the entire U.S.-Mexico border. With an estimated investment of over 1 billion, the modernization of the Dennis DeConcini Port of Entry, slated to begin construction in 2027, will transform and reinforce the strategic binational exchange of our megaregion. This historic project will not only feature a new security-focused design that prevents interruptions in border flow, but it is also planned to maintain the continuous crossing of the more than 11 million people who transit annually, even during its construction. Thank you to @CBPPortDirNOG Acuna for welcoming the delegation along with our Consul General Michelle Ward. In the spirit of our #Freedom250 initiative, this investment reflects the United States' commitment to building a stronger, more prosperous, and safer region for future generations. 🇺🇸🇲🇽

We want to extend our deepest gratitude to @ArizonaDOT and its Border Liaison Unit, the @AzMxCom Transportation, Infrastructure & Ports Committee, @PortYuma , Douglas Port Authority, @PortNogales , and the cities of @SanLuisAZGov, @cityofdouglasaz , and @cityofnogales. Thank you for showcasing your extraordinary modernization projects! Together, these monumental works represent an unprecedented federal investment in the 🇺🇸🇲🇽 border. This historic commitment by the United States will significantly strengthen our binational economy, modernize our commercial transit, and improve our regional security. As we look toward the future through our #Freedom250 initiative, these strategic investments reflect the continuous commitment of the United States to innovation and to building a more prosperous and secure border for the next 250 years.

The boost to our border infrastructure also brings great news for Douglas, Arizona! 🤝 Our Consul General Ward, alongside Washington D.C. officials Salina Rico and Osmahn Kadri, reviewed the progress of the new Commercial Land Port of Entry in Douglas. With an estimated total investment of over $300 million, this modern 80-acre project, scheduled for completion in May 2029, will significantly expand our commercial capacity and allow the processing of oversized mining equipment. Thank you to @CBPArizona Douglas Port Director Martin Gomez for facilitating this interesting tour! By relocating commercial operations outside of the downtown area, this project will support the revitalization plans for the historic district, transforming Douglas into a 21st-century regional tourism destination. In the spirit of our #Freedom250 initiative, this monumental work reflects the enduring commitment of the United States to innovation, security, and shared prosperity with Mexico. 🇺🇸🇲🇽

Our Consul General Michelle Ward led a high-level delegation alongside Salina Rico, Border Affairs Officer from the @StateDept (WHA/MEX), and Osmahn Kadri, Asset and NEPA Manager from @GSA. The delegation traveled from Washington, D.C. to oversee the progress of the San Luis I Port of Entry modernization and expansion project. The tour was hosted by @CBPArizona Port Director Chris Leon and the assigned contractor @henselphelps to evaluate this $350+ million project, a transformative infrastructure that will redefine the dynamics of the Sonora-Arizona mega-region. 🇺🇸🇲🇽 What does this project mean for our community? ✅ Shorter wait times: We are doubling northbound privately owned vehicle processing capacity (from 8 to 16 lanes!). ✅ Enhanced security: Implementation of state-of-the-art technology to combat drug trafficking and identify high-risk activities. ✅ Streamlined pedestrian crossings: An increase from 10 to 14 pedestrian inspection lanes. ✅ Cutting-edge infrastructure: New administrative and commercial inspection facilities to strengthen the CBP mission. In this #Freedom250 year, we continue to build bridges of prosperity. Modernizing our borders not only improves trade flows but ensures a safer and stronger America for everyone.

Thank you Dean Ballard @cityofhope for the invitation to join your table for the @xicoinc annual dinner, the art was stellar and the company was was even better. Great to see so many friends supporting a great cause, and we took home some amazing art!