HS Secretary Nielsen attends meeting in Guatemala

Homeland Security Secretary Nielsen, yesterday met with foreign and security ministers from Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and Mexico in Guatemala City, Guatemala. A joint discussion took place on efforts to combat human trafficking, drug smuggling, and illegal immigration. They also discussed the security challenges and illegal migration flows.

Secretary Nielsen was also joined by the State Department’s Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Carl Risch, Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Kristen Madison, and Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Francisco Palmieri.

 They all agreed to be committed to:

Expand and share joint public messaging efforts to discourage migrants from the dangerous journey north and work to counter false info and advertising by human smugglers.

Enhance security cooperation, including joint efforts to combat human smuggling and illicit trafficking.

Step up to dismantling transnational criminal organizations.

Bolster police forces, anti-gang units, and anti-extortion teams in Central America.

Expand asylum capacity in the region to make sure individuals can find safety closer to home.

Expand biometric systems and data sharing to disrupt the movement of individuals who would pose a threat to regional security.