Mexico, which, other than being a neighbor that shares a 2,200-mile common border, is one of the United States most valued trading partners. Since the passage of the North American Free Trade Agreement, trade with Mexico has blossomed to $267 billion, and protecting and securing that trade is an important mission of CBP. Commissioner Bonner stated that, “Cooperation and partnership with Mexico is vital to the security and prosperity of our nation, and this visit continues the long tradition of United States and Mexican Customs officials working closely together on a wide variety of common issues.”

The CBP delegation participated in a conference sponsored by Mexican Customs to introduce the World Customs Organization (WCO) security framework to executives of the Mexican trade community. Mr. Jose Guzman, Administrator General of the Mexican Administracion General de Aduanas, spoke on how Mexico is implementing some of the WCO Security Frameworks and what can be expected from Mexico in the future to comply with the frameworks.

Commissioner Bonner, Chief Aguilar and Assistant Commissioner Thomson also met with members of the Mexican law enforcement community on topics including the Arizona Border Control Initiative, interior repatriation and the concealment of person transported through, and between, ports of entry. The delegation also took part in a series of meetings with Commissioner Magdelena Carral of the Instituto Nacional de Migracion. Bilateral discussions on FAST/SENTRI, the Border Security Initiative, and a future hotline from CBP to Mexican Immigration were all on the agenda.

The CBP delegation concluded their visit with a bi-national meeting at the National Palace with Mr. Guzman and a working lunch in which Minister Gil Diaz of the Mexican Department of Finance joined them. “The hospitality of our friends was generous and gracious,” Commissioner Bonner noted on departure, “and set the foundation of what was very productive trip.”