812.111/142
The Chargé in Mexico (Summerlin) to
the Secretary of State
Mexico, July 28,
1921.
[Received August 11.]
No. 4129Sir: Supplementary to and in confirmation of
the Embassy’s telegram No. 163, dated July 28, 10 a.m.,46 relative to the abolition of
passport requirements in the forty mile zone on either side of the
Mexican border, I have the honor to transmit herewith a copy and
translation of Foreign Office informal unnumbered communication of the
twenty-seventh instant transmitting the Executive Decree providing for
such abolition, a copy and translation of which are also enclosed.
The Embassy communication of May 20, 1921, to which the Foreign Office
note refers, contained the original plan in this connection proposed by
the Department in its telegram No. 67, dated May 19, 6 p.m., but no
reference was made by the Foreign Office to the proposed Executive Order
referred to in the Department’s telegram No. 95, dated June 28, 1p.m.,
which appears not to extend the benefits of the order to certain classes
of foreigners who were included in the original plan and to whom the
Mexican decree extends the privilege of entering Mexico on the same
terms as Americans.
I have [etc.]
[Enclosure—Translation]
The Mexican Under Secretary of Foreign
Affairs (Sáenz) to the American
Chargé (Summerlin)
My Dear Mr. Summerlin: I am pleased to
inform you that the appropriate authorities have been furnished
today with the decree of the Executive of the United Mexican States,
the text of which I am pleased to send you herewith; I request you
to communicate with the Government of the United States of America
with the least
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possible
delay to the end that it in turn may proceed to put into force the
similar provisions in the terms agreed upon according to the
courteous communication which you were good enough to address to
this Department on May 20, 1921.
The appropriate Mexican consuls have been given telegraphic orders in
the case to the end that they may comply with the provisions of the
decree in reference. The Department of Government has also given
instructions for the same purpose to the authorities depending upon
it.
I am [etc.]
[Subenclosure—Translation]
Executive Decree of July 4, 1921, Abolishing
Passport Requirements in the Forty-Mile Zone on Either Side of
the United States-Mexican Border
Alvaro Obregon,
Constitutional President of the United Mexican States, to its
inhabitants make known:
That by virtue of faculties conferred upon me by Fraction one of
Article 89 of the Federal Constitution,47 and
Considering;—That if the Government of the
United States of America is courteously disposed to facilitate the
entrance into its territory of Mexican citizens who desire to enter,
without the necessity of presenting any form of documents for this
purpose, provided that the Mexican citizens have resided for the
period of a year or more in a forty mile zone along the frontier, it
is just and international reciprocity demands that the Government of
Mexico should extend equal facilities to the residents of the United
States of America who desire in turn to enter the national
territory, except only pernicious foreigners, and, therefore, I have
seen fit to decree the following;—
- Article 1.—After July 16 of the
present year, citizens of the United States of America who
desire to enter the United Mexican States through frontier
cities, may do so without presenting to the Immigration
Authorities any form of travel documents, provided that such
persons have resided for a period of one year or more in a
forty mile zone along the frontier, and are otherwise
admissible, and moreover, that such persons are known to the
immigration officials of the United Mexican States.
Foreigners under the same circumstances, with the exception
of pernicious foreigners, shall have the same
privilege.
- Article 2.—If the persons who
desire to enter the national territory through frontier
cities are unknown to the immigration inspectors
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of the United
Mexican States, they will be required to present
satisfactory proofs to the immigration authorities mentioned
that they are bona fide residents of
the forty mile zone along the frontier.
- Article 3.—Any foreigner
domiciled in the United Mexican States who visits the forty
mile zone in the territory of the United States of America
may return to Mexico without the necessity of a passport,
provided that he does so within six months.
- Article 4.—All other foreigners,
as well as citizens of the United States of America, who
reside outside of the zone mentioned, are required to
present a passport duly visaed.
- Article 5.—Articles 35, 36, 37,
38 and other similar provisions of the immigration
inspection regulations, dated February 25, 1918, remain in
force.
Accordingly, I order that this be printed,
published, distributed and given due compliance.
Done in the National Palace of Mexico on the fourth day of the
month of July of 1921.
