The Foreign Ministry reports that Secretary Luis Videgaray spoke today with the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, Kirstjen Nielsen.
Secretary Nielsen informed the Mexican government about the following aspects of the decision to deploy the National Guard on the border with our country:
1. The National Guard will only assist the Department of Homeland Security.
2. Members of the National Guard will not carry weapons or have immigration or customs duties.
3. This deployment of the National Guard will be similar to the 2006 Operation Jump Start under President George W. Bush and the 2010 Operation Phalanx under President Barack Obama.
In all of its communications on the topic, the Mexican government has stated to the U.S. government that if the announced deployment of the National Guard results in the militarization of the border, it would seriously damage the bilateral relationship.
It has also reiterated the fundamental importance of respecting the dignity and human rights of the Mexicans in the United States.
The Mexican government will continue in close contact with the Department of Homeland Security, in order to follow up on this measure and decide on the appropriate actions, while safeguarding the nation's sovereignty and interests at all times.