Trump administration to send DHS agents, investigators to Guatemala-Mexico border
Source: Washington Post
Dozens of Homeland Security agents and investigators will deploy to Guatemala as part of the Trump administration’s desperate attempt to slow unauthorized migration to the United States from Central America, according to U.S. officials with knowledge of the plans.
The Department of Homeland Security personnel will work as “advisers” to Guatemala’s national police and migration authorities, and they will aim to disrupt and interdict human smuggling operations, the officials said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to describe a plan that has not been made public. U.S. authorities hope that the effort will cut off popular routes to the United States and deter migrants from beginning their journeys north through Mexico. Plans call for at least several dozen DHS agents and investigators, and one DHS source briefed on the plans said approximately 80 U.S. law enforcement personnel will deploy as part of the mission.
Acting DHS Secretary Kevin McAleenan has advocated for the more muscular DHS presence and finalized the agreement with president Jimmy Morales and top Guatemala officials during meetings this week in Guatemala City. “The U.S. and Guatemala are formalizing a number of initiatives to improve the lives and security of our respective citizens by combating human trafficking and the smuggling of illegal goods, helping to limit ‘push’ factors that encourage dangerous irregular migration to the U.S., perpetuating the ongoing crisis at or border,” McAleenan said in a statement, after signing a “Memorandum of Cooperation” with Guatemalan officials.
President Trump, who threatened Thursday to impose severe tariffs on Mexican imports if its government doesn’t crack down on migration through its country, has vowed to cut off aid to Central America in an effort to pressure the region’s leaders. But McAleenan has urged more — not less — cooperation with Central America, and his plan to assign personnel from U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security Investigations to work alongside Guatemalan police amounts to an attempt to put more weight behind the approach.
Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/trump-administration-to-send-dhs-agents-investigators-to-guatemala-mexico-border/2019/05/31/25bb9f0e-83b2-11e9-bce7-40b4105f7ca0_story.html
= new reply since forum marked as read
DHS people going to let them go through?........
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