POST SUPPORTS GOES REQUEST FOR DHS ASSISTANCE RE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SAN SALVADOR 000138

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/17/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV PINS PTER KCRM ES GANGS ACCELERATED DEPORTATION
SUBJECT: POST SUPPORTS GOES REQUEST FOR DHS ASSISTANCE RE
ISSUING TRAVEL DOCS


Classified By: DCM Michael A. Butler for reason 1.4 b & d


1. (C) On September 2, 2005, DHS Acting U/S Randy
Beardsworth visited El Salvador to discuss the mechanics of
the Secure Borders Initiative (SBI) with Salvadoran
officials. During these discussions, U/S Beardsworth noted
that SBI required the GOES to issue travel documents for
deportable Salvadoran citizens in a timely manner. He
advised Salvadoran officials that DHS would be willing to
provide financial and technical assistance relative to the
timely issuance of travel documents.


2. (C) After the initial visit of U/S Beardsworth, the
Embassy and pertinent Salvadoran officials formed a
Deportations Working Group to discuss expediting the issuance
of travel documents to deportable Salvadoran citizens.
Throughout our discussions, the Salvadorans have repeatedly
expressed their concerns about issuing expedited travel
documents to violent criminals and suspected gang members
without first properly documenting and fingerprinting these
individuals. They have also outlined legal impediments to
conducting consular interviews via digital video conferencing.


3. (C) On December 20, 2005, a Salvadoran delegation
traveled to Washington to deliver and explain to DHS a
request for financial and technical assistance relative to
expediting the issuance of travel documents for deportable
Salvadorans. The proposal addresses the Salvadorans'
concerns relative to fingerprinting and digital video
conferencing. The request comprises numerous line items
which total US$8.5 million. Post has been notified that
another Salvadoran delegation will arrive in Washington on
January 19, 2006, to discuss further the Salvadoran request
for assistance.


4. (C) COMMENT: Post realizes that a request for US$8.5
million may not be realistic. Nonetheless, we strongly
encourage DHS to consider the Salvadoran proposal. Financial
and technical assistance relative to digital video
conferencing will permit the limited number of Salvadoran
consuls to interview deportable Salvadorans and issue travel
documents in a timely manner. Assistance offered to capture
digitally the fingerprints of criminals and suspected gang
members can be shared with USG law enforcement agencies.
Each of these benefits of assisting the GOES directly
addresses USG national security concerns. Although DHS may
decline to fund the proposal in its entirety, we suggest that
DHS analyze and evaluate those aspects of the proposal that
directly relate to our national security. END COMMENT.
Barclay