August 13, 2007

ICE and CBP partner with Mexico to develop a strategic plan to combat money laundering, customs violations and border crimes
New task forces will focus on human, financial, technical and material resources to promote commerce and border security

MEXICO CITY - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Assistant Secretary Julie L. Myers, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Ralph Basham and Mexico Customs Administrator General Juan Jose Bravo today signed a Bilateral Strategic Plan (BSP) recognizing the longstanding relationship and cooperation on customs and border security issues between their agencies.

The agreement establishes principles the United States and Mexico will follow in the exploration and deployment of projects to enhance the flow of commerce and the security of the border.

"This agreement officially recognizes the critical nature of strategic cooperation and collaboration between the United States and Mexico," said Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Julie Myers. "The working groups established under this plan will help ensure that critical information is shared in a more timely manner and that issues of enforcement, security and trade are managed more efficiently, to the ultimate benefit and safety of both nations."

"This bilateral plan will strengthen cooperation in matters related to law enforcement by expanding existing institutional cooperation mechanisms and establishing new collaboration programs designed to fight contraband trafficking, smuggling of prohibited goods, fraud, and related crimes," said Commissioner Basham. "CBP, ICE and Mexican Customs will expand existing cooperation in matters related to law enforcement, integrity, trade facilitation, border management, customs-trade partnerships, security and business resumption."

The BSP stems from a Declaration of Principles (DOP) that was signed on June 8, 2007, by U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and Mexican Ministry of Finance and Public Credit Secretary Agustin Carstens. The DOP established joint goals for customs cooperation and called for the development of a BSP. Through the BSP, CBP, ICE and Mexican Customs will implement working groups to address joint goals and long-term projects.

BSP will enhance security by providing the strategic framework that will help prevent and deter terrorism and align security mechanisms, procedures and programs for North America-bound conveyances, shipments and travelers.

-- ICE --

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was established in March 2003 as the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security. ICE is comprised of five integrated divisions that form a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities.

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