WASHINGTON – Today, Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad F. Wolf completed a series of bilateral meetings with the Government of Honduras in Tegucigalpa to discuss ongoing efforts to fully implement key agreements geared toward stemming the flow of illegal immigration, combating transnational criminal organizations in the region, and promoting a prosperous Honduras.
In 2019, the U.S. and Honduras strengthened our relationship through the signing of the Asylum Cooperation Agreement (ACA), Border Security Arrangement (BSA), Biometrics Data Sharing Program (BDSP) Arrangement, and Temporary Agricultural and Non-agricultural Workers Program agreement.
During his visit, the Acting Secretary recognized the strong bilateral relationship between the U.S. and Honduras, especially as it pertains to migration and border security.
“When the United States began to experience a border and humanitarian crisis, Honduras was a leader in convening its neighbors to find a solution. Our partnership with Honduras is deeply rooted in the vision we share for a secure and prosperous Honduras,” said Acting DHS Secretary Wolf. “We remain focused on implementing the migration agreements our two countries have reached in order to continue our important progress. A secure and prosperous Honduras, with ample economic opportunities for its citizens, is a goal we all share. I look forward to continuing our work together to achieve it.”
The Acting Secretary attended a roundtable discussion with several key Honduran leaders from the private sector to hear about issues of importance and communicate the benefits of these bilateral initiatives when fully implemented. The Acting Secretary noted that once these security agreements are fully implemented, the next step is to work with the private sector and international communities to foster economic growth and prosperity in Honduras.
The U.S. continues to work with partner governments to develop a safer and more prosperous region so that Central Americans can feel confident in creating futures in their home countries, rather than putting their lives in the hands of smugglers and criminal organizations to make the dangerous journey to and across the U.S. border.
The recent initiatives undertaken have been effective, as December 2019 marked the seventh consecutive month of declines in enforcement actions at the U.S. Southwest border, with less than 41,000 aliens encountered, representing a 72 percent decrease since the height of the border crisis in May of last year.
Read Acting Secretary wolf’s remarks to Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez here.