The United States is working with neighboring countries to strengthen security at the U.S.-Mexico border.
“The United States and Mexico share history and family,” Vice President Kamala Harris said in a tweet during her trip to Mexico and Central America. “Our economies are tied, and our security relies on one another.”
During her trip, Vice President Harris announced that U.S. and Mexican law enforcement agencies will partner to increase security at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Today, President @lopezobrador_ and I discussed our shared interests in security, economic opportunity, vaccines, and migration. The United States sees Mexico as a partner on these issues. https://t.co/49p1iyChKu pic.twitter.com/Ux2oXihtcp
— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) June 8, 2021
The Mexican government has already deployed more than 12,000 security personnel to southern Mexico to humanely address irregular migration before migrants reach the border. The Biden administration closely cooperates with Mexico on migration management, including efforts to meet immediate humanitarian needs and improve protection within the region.
Harris unveiled the U.S. Human Smuggling and Trafficking Task Force. Through an exchange of information and combined action, the United States, Mexico and Northern Central American partners will identify, disrupt, and prevent migrant smuggling and human trafficking operations in Central America, heading off irregular migration before anyone decides to make the dangerous journey to the border.
The United States and Mexico similarly will work to disable human trafficking and human smuggling organizations that try to bring their victims across the border.
Progress has already been made. Biden administration initiatives have reduced the number of unaccompanied children arriving at the U.S. southern border by 25% in just two months (March to May).
In addition to enforcement efforts, the governments of the United States and Mexico signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a partnership to address the root causes of migration, including the lack of economic opportunities in northern Central America.
“We also believe that we share an interest, in terms of the United States knowing that our security and prosperity depends on what happens abroad,” Harris said June 7 before meeting with Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei. “We are clear that we have a responsibility then to interact, to cooperate, and to work with our allies and our friends around the world.”