see also: in July 2004:   Spanish Port of Algeciras 21st Container Security Initiative Port to go Operational   Thomson to Head CBP's Office of International Affairs   Container Security Initiative (CSI) Achieves Major Milestone: 20 of the World's Largest Ports Now Participating with the U.S. in CSI   CBP Officers Seize Over 11 Tons Of Marijuana At Otay Mesa   Homeland Security Expands Efforts to Combat Human Smuggling in the Los Angeles Area   CBP Border Patrol Seize Over 200 Pounds of Methamphetamine in Two Separate Incidents   U.S. Customs and Border Protection Graduates First Class of CBP Agriculture Specialists ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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Tucson, 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.