Article Summary
US and Mexican officials are meeting in Washington to discuss illegal migration, though neither side expects substantial progress. High-profile attendees include US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, and Mexico’s Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alicia Bárcena. The talks extend earlier discussions held in Mexico in December. Since then, Mexico has begun deporting Venezuelans, a dominant nationality crossing into the US, notably reducing migrant border crossings. The Mexican government aims to secure US funding to combat migration by addressing political corruption, violence, and poverty in Western Hemisphere countries. While the negotiations are not transactional, Mexico’s assistance is highly dependent on its willingness to help.
U.S.-Mexico Officials Discuss Strategies to Curb Illegal Migration
U.S. and Mexico representatives convene in Washington this Friday to strategize over reducing illegal migration, a topic that has increasingly pressured the Biden administration ahead of November’s presidential election. However, no dramatic progress is anticipated.
Among the participants are U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, and White House homeland security adviser Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall, along with Mexico’s Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Alicia Bárcena. These discussions follow the initial U.S. officials meeting in Mexico on Dec. 27, focused on the escalating illegal border crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Post these initial discussions, Mexico initiated deportations of Venezuelans and increased interception of migrants crossing from Guatemala to Mexico. This resulted in a significant drop in border crossings at the start of the year. Despite this, insiders caution against expecting immediate outcomes from Friday’s meeting.
Clear goals for ongoing negotiations have been laid out by both sides, according to sources. Mexico’s priority is securing U.S. commitment to robust funding to address root causes of migration, such as political corruption, violence, and poverty in Western Hemisphere countries.
Earlier, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador proposed a $20 billion aid allocation for Latin America and Caribbean countries and a suspension of sanctions on Venezuela. He described it as an “ambitious agenda.” Both nations assert that these negotiations aren’t transactional, but are instead focused on mutually beneficial outcomes.
Mexico and the U.S., both impacted by northbound migration, seek to curb it for their own reasons. As negotiations continue, it is clear that Mexico has significant leverage given the U.S. dependence on its cooperation.
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