U.S. Department of Homeland Security delegation visit to Mexico
May 11, 2022
Institutional Context
The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is the U.S. federal executive department responsible for public security. Its mission involves anti-terrorism, border security, immigration and customs, cyber security, and disaster prevention and management. It began operations in 2003, as a result of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, enacted in response to the September 11 attacks. With more than 240,000 employees, DHS is the third-largest Cabinet department, after the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs. Homeland security policy is coordinated at the White House by the Homeland Security Council.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security delegation visit to Mexico*
On May 11th, a delegation from the United States DHS was received at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to discuss challenges and opportunities for bilateral cooperation towards orderly, safe and regular migration. The U.S. delegation, led by Acting Deputy Secretary of DHS, Blas Nuñez-Neto, provided an update on the current migration landscape. It was agreed to accelerate and strengthen cooperation for the modernization project of the San Jerónimo - Santa Teresa international bridge, to expand its capacities; providing certainty to international trade, and improving security systems.
On behalf of the Mexican Foreign Ministry, the head of the Chief Officer for North America, Roberto Velasco, led the meeting, and was accompanied by the Legal Consultant, Alejandro Celorio; the General Director of Political Coordination, Ximena Escobedo; the Coordinator of Strategy and Public Policies for North America, Arturo Rocha; the Director of North American Border Affairs, Pablo Gálvez; the Director of Inter-institutional Relations for North America, Rafael Saucedo; and the Director of Legislative Liaison, Sofía Sánchez.
The United States delegation was made up of the Acting Deputy Secretary of DHS, Blas Nuñez-Neto; Border Patrol Deputy Chief, Tony Barker; Assistant Border Patrol Deputy Chief Jennie Lipani; DHS Legal Counsel Jennifer Daskal; as well as the DHS Attaché, Edgar Ramírez, and the Counselor Minister for Political Affairs, Brian Naranjo, both from the United States Embassy in México.
