- The delegations reviewed the progress made in modernizing the border infrastructure as agreed by Presidents López Obrador and Biden at their last meeting.
- By 2024, the Mexico-U.S. border crossings and bridges will have new and better infrastructure to increase regional trade.
High-level representatives from the U.S. and Mexican Governments met in Mexico City on December 1 for the 14th Plenary Meeting of the 21st Century Border Management Process Executive Steering Committee to continue bilateral collaboration on key issues affecting our shared border.
These include close coordination on important bilateral issues such as facilitating the legal flow of goods and people, modernizing border infrastructure, promoting public safety, and combatting transnational crime.
The meeting was chaired by Chief Officer for North America Roberto Velasco. Senior Director for Transborder at the National Security Council Katie Tobin and U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar led the meeting for the United States.
"I can say, with complete confidence, that the 21st Century Border Initiative works and has allowed us to identify, discuss and advance on priority issues for sustainable development in the border region," said Chief Officer Velasco in his remarks. He said that the two presidents would be informed of the "progress made, goals achieved and future plans on border matters ahead of the important meeting they will soon hold at the North American Leaders' Summit.”
The delegations presented various action plans that will guide the bilateral modernization and expansion of the ports of entry on the common border. It was agreed to facilitate the flow of goods and people between Mexico and the U.S. and to strengthen cooperation on public security in the border region.
In order to expedite the flow of goods and people on both sides of the border, the two governments will continue to implement strategies to simplify customs and immigration inspections, while reducing wait times at crossings.
The delegations also committed to increasing cooperation to share law enforcement information and make more efficient their coordinated efforts to prevent crime and violence in the border region.
The Mexican delegation included General Salvador Fernando Cervantes, Director General of Engineers, Defense Ministry; Daniel García, Director General of Monitoring, Administration and Supervision of Compliance with Trade Agreements, Economy Ministry; Judith Rodríguez, Deputy Administrator of International Affairs, General Customs Administration; Pablo Gálvez, Director for Border Affairs, North America Unit, Foreign Ministry; and other government officials.
The U.S. delegation included Rachel Poynter, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs; Blas Nuñez-Neto, Acting Assistant Secretary for Border and Immigration Policy, U.S. Homeland Security Department; Charisse Phillips, Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement, State Department; Acting Deputy Commissioner for U.S. Customs and Border Protection Benjamin Huffman; and other representatives of U.S. federal agencies.
