WASHINGTON – Tomorrow, Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Kevin K. McAleenan will be traveling to Guatemala City, Guatemala to meet with officials regarding the implementation of a number of initiatives to help stem the flow of irregular migration through Guatemala. During his trip, the Acting Secretary will meet with officials from the Government of Guatemala, with whom he signed a cooperative agreement regarding the examination of protection claims on Friday. While in Guatemala City, Acting Secretary McAleenan will also meet with U.S. diplomats, local political and community leaders, members of non-governmental international organizations, and private sector stakeholders. He will depart Guatemala City Thursday.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Government of Guatemala have partnered together to combat human smuggling and transnational criminal organizations operating in the Northern Triangle region, which undermine the safety and security of both countries’ citizens and exploit the most vulnerable populations. Acting Secretary McAleenan was recently in Guatemala City for the 7th Northern Triangle Ministerial meeting on June 26, where he met with officials from Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras, to discuss furthering a comprehensive, regional approach to address security and migration issues.