MEXICO IMMIGRATION AND CBP ESTABLISH VITAL

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MEXICO 003366 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR KCRM SNAR MX SUBJECT: MEXICO IMMIGRATION AND CBP ESTABLISH VITAL PARTNERSHIP ¶1. (SBU) Summary. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in agreement with Secretaria de Gobernacion (SEGOB)/Instituto Nacional de Migracion (INM) launched a trial of the Joint Security Program for Travelers (JSP) at the Mexico City International Airport on September 28, 2009. The program establishes a partnership between CBP and INM that enables the two institutions to exchange officers at each others ports of entry. End Summary Building on a Good Foundation ¶2. (SBU) The Joint Security Program for Travelers Trial (JSP) builds on existing U.S./Mexican passenger screening efforts. Currently, under the U.S. and Mexico Smart Border Action Plan, commercial air carriers transmit Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) data to the Government of Mexico (GOM). Mexico similarly transmits its APIS data to CBP via the existing CBP APIS infrastructure. The JSP trial provides the opportunity for CBP officers to exchange best practices as well as receive valuable insight into Mexican processes and procedures on the ground at the Mexico City Airport. ¶3. (SBU) A team of four CBP officers arrived in Mexico City on 27 September in order to undertake a 120-day JSP trial. As part of a coordinated effort with officials from Mexican Immigration (INM) and Centro Nacional de Alertas (INM Targeting Center),these officers began joint screening of flights arriving into Mexico and obtained permission on 13 October to screen U.S.-bound flights. Concurrently, INM sent four of its officials to Chicago O'Hare Airport CBP Operations for a one week subject matter exchange and training. Expectations are High ¶4. (SBU) Each country intends to use this unique opportunity to align procedures and build a foundation for future cooperation. The CBP team intends to deepen its relationship with its Mexican counterparts in order to streamline the Mexican APIS referral process. The U.S. National Targeting Center-Passenger (NTC-P) will coordinate with CBP JSP team members in Mexico City and identify positive lookout matches that include suspected terrorists, visa revocations, fugitives, and smuggling activities (alien, narcotics, currency and weapons). In turn, CBP JSP team members will then coordinate with the GOM, other U.S. law enforcement, and intelligence community representatives stationed at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City to resolve the Mexican APIS hits. Secondly, the experienced eyes on the ground will also provide insight into how to identify illicit activity that is not flagged electronically, for example, impostors attempting to use a genuine passport or individuals engaged in trafficking in persons. Finally, the 120-Day trial will permit CBP and the government of Mexico to validate conditions for CBP air-side access before entering into a long-term agreement. Already Yielding Results ¶5. (SBU) Since the team arrived on the ground, the JSP facilitated the arrests of four fugitives, an alien smuggler, and a drug smuggler with 3.5 kilos of crystal methamphetamines. Additionally, the team has assisted the Mexicans in identifying many fraudulent documents. ¶6. (SBU) Comment. The JSP trial is an important exchange program for CBP. This opportunity strategically positions veteran CBP officers at a high risk and major transit hub in Mexico. The insight into the challenges posed by air travel in Mexico is critical for future combined operations. This program's success hinges on the benefits the participants on both sides derive from it and a willingness to open up processes and procedures to create shared best practices that will facilitate passenger travel and the highest level of MEXICO 00003366 002 OF 002 security at all ports of entry. End Comment. Visit Mexico City's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/mexicocity and the North American Partnership Blog at http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/nap / PASCUAL