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![](http://206.241.31.142/ImageCache/cgov/templates/images/spacerclear_2egif/v1/image_2ddata/1/spacerclear.gif) Department of Homeland Security Begins First Interior Repatriation Flights
(Monday, July 12, 2004)
contacts for this news releaseTucson, AZ - Representatives from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Government of Mexico (GoM) today announced the first flight between the US and the interior of Mexico, transporting Mexican nationals who illegally entered the United States. The Interior Repatriation Program (IRP) will return illegal migrants to either Mexico City or Guadalajara, on a voluntary basis. The IRP is a well coordinated effort with the GoM to save immigrant lives and stop the cycle of human and illegal trafficking.Beginning today, illegal Mexican migrants may volunteer for the program, returning home via charter aircraft from Tucson, Arizona. Upon arrival in Mexico, bus transportation will be provided to their final destination. "The goals of this program are to both control the border and save lives," said DHS Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security, Asa Hutchinson. "The deaths of so many in the desert are a tragedy that must end. This is a well coordinated, crucial step that is necessary for both humanitarian and law enforcement reasons." The objective of interior repatriation is to disrupt the cycle of human smuggling by returning Mexican migrants into the interior of Mexico, away from the smuggling organizations in the border areas. The Interior Repatriation Program is a pilot program that will be assessed throughout the summer months. At its conclusion, the two governments will evaluate the program and determine future plans.The program is only available to Mexican nationals. Migrants charged with a crime, other than illegal entry, are not eligible for the program. Candidates will not be separated from their family members. If the entire family does not wish to participate then no one in the family will be eligible.![](http://206.241.31.142/ImageCache/cgov/templates/images/spacerclear_2egif/v1/image_2ddata/1/spacerclear.gif) | Contacts For This News Release
![](http://206.241.31.142/ImageCache/cgov/templates/images/spacerclear_2egif/v1/image_2ddata/1/spacerclear.gif) | 1300 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W. Room 3.4A Washington,
D.C
20229 | Media Services
Phone: |
(202) 344-1780 or
(800) 826-1471 |
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Office of Public Affairs
1300 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
Room 3.4A
Washington, DC 20229
| Phone: | (202) 344-1770 or (800) 826-1471 | Fax: | (202) 344-1393 |
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