El Paso, Texas - Leadership from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Mexico’s Secretariat of Foreign Affairs, and Mexico’s Secretariat of Governance announced the finalization of negotiations for nine Local Repatriation Arrangements along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Officials came together in El Paso, Texas, for the Repatriation Strategy and Policy Executive Coordination Team (RESPECT) meeting to discuss bilateral efforts and successes regarding repatriation processes.  At this meeting, U.S. and Mexican officials noted the conclusion of a year-long process to review and streamline the times and locations for the repatriation along the U.S.-Mexico border of Mexican nationals in order to better align resources and improve the safety and security of these vulnerable populations.

“These agreements represent our continued joint commitment to international cooperation, and to the safety of those vulnerable citizens who are repatriated to Mexico,” said U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Sarah R. Saldaña.  “Our U.S.-Mexico border is a dynamic area, so these agreements need to be reviewed regularly to ensure that the spirit of their intent is updated as circumstances change.”

To acknowledge this accomplishment, leadership from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Mexico’s Secretariat of Foreign Relations and Mexico’s National Migration Institute signed one of the nine Local Repatriation Arrangement at the El Paso Border Patrol Station in El Paso, Texas.