U.S., Mexico solidify border cooperation

U.S., Mexico solidify border cooperation    Top U.S and Mexican domestic security officials agreed last week to formalize bi-national security committees at Southwest border ports of entry as a way of improving communications about operational, security and safety issues, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
   Officials at Friday's meeting also further committed to increase joint investigations, commit more resources for inspection forces at ports of entry and implement plans to ensure security and trade flow during events that affect border checkpoint operations.

Bersin

   Among those representing the United States was Alan Bersin, assistant secretary for international affairs and special representative for border affairs. Bersin is awaiting a confirmation hearing in the Senate as the Obama administration's nominee to head U.S. Customs and Border Protection, where he will be in charge of the Border Patrol.
   The administration has made curbing Mexican drug cartel violence along the border a top priority. In March, DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano deployed additional investigative agents, inspectors, canine teams and equipment such as mobile X-ray machines to the Southwest border to help the Mexican government crack down on the drug syndicates and stop inter-gang warfare from spilling over the border. As part of the initiative, CBP significantly increased the amount of outbound inspections of travelers and commercial vehicles in a search for cash and illegal weapons headed to Mexico. The United States is also conducting more training for Mexican border officers.
   Thus far in 2009, CBP and Immigration and Customs Enforcement have combined to seize almost $35 million in southbound currency at the border — more than four times the amount seized at the same point in 2008. The sister agencies have also confiscated 1,231 firearms and 1.4 million kilograms of drugs, up 34 percent and 45 percent, respectively, year-to-date from 2008.