Mexican and United States government officials today held the fifth meeting of the high-level group on border violence prevention and the sixth meeting of the Executive Repatriation Policy Steering Group in the Interior Ministry.
The high-level group on border violence prevention assessed the exchange of information and outreach to border communities with the goal of improving transparency and preventing incidents.
They discussed best practices and announced new projects. Both the Interior and Foreign Ministries, as participating agencies, reaffirmed their commitment and agreed to implement the actions and collaborate on new strategies to locate missing migrants.
The results of the Missing Migrants Project were highlighted as an example of joint efforts that will become a national program.
At the meeting of the Executive Repatriation Policy Steering Group, ways to ensure safe and orderly repatriations that respect the rights of Mexicans in the United States were discussed.
Mexican government representatives emphasized the importance of the local repatriation arrangements, which to date have had positive results, such as the coordination between authorities of both countries to ensure that the repatriations are carried out efficiently and with respect for due process.
The US officials explained the steps they take to respond to Mexico’s requests to facilitate the recovery of the deportees’ belongings.
Also discussed was the treatment of sensitive migration cases. The Mexican and United States delegations explained their positions on the best way to review these situations.
In both meetings, the Mexican delegation reiterated that its priority is to safeguard the rights of its citizens. It also stressed that Mexico will address issues of common interest in a constructive manner based on the principles of shared responsibility and mutual respect.
The Mexican delegation was headed, for the Interior Ministry, by the Undersecretary of Population, Migration and Religious Affairs, Humberto Roque Villanueva; and included the Head of the Government Unit, Monte Alejandro Rubido García; the Interior Secretary’s Chief of Staff, Guillermo Lerdo de Tejada; the National Security Commissioner, Renato Sales Heredia; CISEN Secretary General Miguel Robles Bárcena; the Commissioner of the National Migration Institute, Ardelio Vargas Fosado; and Federal Police Commissioner Manelich Castilla Craviotto. The Undersecretary for North America, Carlos Manuel Sada Solana, participated on behalf of the Foreign Ministry.
The United States delegation was headed by James D. Nealon, Under Secretary for International Engagement, Department of Homeland Security; Acting Commissioner Kevin McAleenan, Customs and Border Protection; Derek N. Benner, Acting Executive Associate Director, Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement Investigations; and United States Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission William Duncan.