The Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Jeh Johnson, said on Tuesday, that Mexico City and Washington would work together to develop new methods for dealing with matters of security, particularly those relating to immigration.
During an appearance with Claudia Ruiz Massieu, the Foreign Relations Secretary, Johnson said it was vital that the two nations were able to work together. Johnson said that he expected the annual tradition of an American and a Mexican boy exchanging a symbolic hug on George Washington’s birthday on the international bridge linking Nuevo Laredo in Tamaulipas with Laredo in Texas would continue. This, he said, would be the case regardless of which of the two Presidential candidates wins the White House next month.
Massieu said that the Cabinet discussed ways to deal with immigration challenges in a joint and better manner, as well as how to expand border cooperation to make it safer, more orderly and efficient. The US and Mexico have been pursuing a diverse bilateral agenda, which has moved away from a focus on security during the Obama administration, to include other areas, including competitiveness and innovation.
The Foreign Relations Secretary also expressed the hope for a more promising future as the two nations continue to build a new relationship based on greater understanding, respect and trust. Later, Johnson met with Arely Gomez, the Mexico Attorney General, for a discussion on immigration, human trafficking and the extradition process.