FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, February 14, 1995
CONTACT: Dana Hagerty (202) 225-2165
WASHINGTON, DC -- Congressman Collin Peterson (DFL-7th District) today joined the Anti-Border Tax Coalition. This bipartisan Coalition's mission is to defeat the Administration's FY 96 budget proposal to impose a $3.00 per vehicle and a $1.50 per pedestrian border crossing tax for entering the United States from Canada and Mexico. The Administration has stated this new tax would be used to finance additional border immigration control efforts.
"Last week, I stated that I thought this proposed tax was unfair, and I believe joining this Coalition is the best way to fight it," Peterson said. "This Coalition is sensitive to the issue of illegal immigration and believes we must reinforce our borders. However, we need to find a way that doesn't unfairly penalize our border communities.
"Imposing this tax will only create a burden on the economies of border communities," Peterson said. "Immigration control is a national responsibility and its cost should not be placed disproportionately on border communities.
"The Administration has rationalized this border tax proposal by comparing it with existing charges levied on international airline passengers," Peterson said. "But international air travel is not a daily factor in the livelihoods of thousands. Every day, residents of border communities cross our land borders to commute to work, grocery shop, or to visit family members. The two situations cannot be compared."