U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen M. Nielsen convened with high-ranking officials from the Government of Mexico on Tuesday, March 26, to address critical issues surrounding border security and immigration. Following the bilateral discussions with Mexico, Secretary Nielsen traveled to Honduras to participate in crucial multilateral meetings with regional partners. The focus of these meetings was to strengthen the collaborative efforts between America and Central American nations in tackling migration flows and fostering regional security and prosperity, with a significant emphasis on a landmark regional accord designed to manage the ongoing migration challenges.
In Miami, Florida, Secretary Nielsen engaged in a productive bilateral meeting with Mexican Secretary of the Interior Olga Sanchez Cordero and other key Mexican government officials. Discussions centered on enhancing U.S.-Mexico cooperation to effectively manage irregular migration and the unprecedented levels of illegal entries at the U.S. Southern Border. The previous month had seen over 75,000 apprehensions by DHS, marking a 12-year peak. The talks also covered strategies to combat human trafficking and smuggling operations, bolster security cooperation, and strengthen the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP). The MPP is a U.S. initiative designed to return migrants to Mexico, ensuring humanitarian protections while they await their U.S. immigration processing.
On Wednesday, March 27, Secretary Nielsen proceeded to Tegucigalpa, Honduras, to participate in a multilateral meeting hosted at the Ministry of Security. This meeting included top officials representing the Northern Triangle governments of Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. This event marked a continuation of a sustained diplomatic effort aimed at addressing the root causes of irregular migration and mitigating the humanitarian and security crisis at the U.S. Southern Border. Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández led these important discussions.
A key objective for Secretary Nielsen and the Northern Triangle security ministers has been the development of a pioneering Memorandum of Cooperation, often referred to as a “regional compact,” between the U.S. and the Northern Triangle countries. This accord, reflecting increased collaboration, prioritizes tackling the migration crisis at its origin. A significant aspect of this is preventing the formation of new migrant caravans intending to reach the United States.
The envisioned compact is structured around four core areas of joint action:
- Combating Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling
- Countering Organized Crime and Gangs
- Expanding Information and Intelligence Sharing
- Strengthening Border Security
Building upon Secretary Nielsen’s call for a “compact” the previous summer, February saw her and the Northern Triangle security ministers issue a joint statement. This statement declared a mutual commitment to finalizing an agreement that would improve information sharing, enhance law enforcement cooperation, and refine public messaging strategies to address the ongoing migration challenges.
Earlier on Wednesday in Tegucigalpa, Secretary Nielsen also held bilateral meetings with Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández and First Lady Ana García Carías at the Ministry of Security, further solidifying the collaborative efforts between the United States, Mexico, and Honduras in addressing regional migration and security concerns.
